I wanted to do a quick post to introduce myself. My name is Craig and I've been sober for 12 days. I went to my first AA meeting last Tuesday. It was kind of strange to say "I'm Craig I'm an alcoholic" in front of a group of strangers. By the end of the meeting I was feeling more comfortable.
I feel strong most of the time and have been reading a lot online and in the big book about the AA program. Some things make sense, some things worry me, but overall I am optimistic. I'm trying to get in touch with my higher power, any suggestions on that would be appreciated.
I'm glad to be a member of this group and I hope I can use it to be helped and to help others.
Thanks,
Craig
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Scientists announced that they have located the gene for alcoholism. Scientists say they found it at a party, talking way too loudly.
Welcome to MIP. It's a great board and there are some really helpful people here. It certainly adds to the quality of my sobriety.
Congrats on 12 days! That's really good. For me, I couldn't stay sober without regular meetings, getting a sponsor and working the steps.
I thought that I would struggle with the concept of a Higher Power when I first came to AA. But, for a while I used the people that I met and the strength and wisdom in the rooms as my Higher Power. It's 'God as we understood Him', so I defined my own Higher Power over time as I wasn't ready for a church-based concept of God.
Please keep posting and letting us know how things are going for you, won't you?
Take care,
Carol
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~Dr. Seuss
As a newcomer myself I can share what helped because it is so fresh in my memory. As far as higher power goes, my sponsor actually told me to get on my knees each morning and pray. I was resistant to the idea and thought it was kind of stupid because I grew up with a completely different set of religious values and practices. He then told me to throw my cigarettes under the bed so I wouldn't forget...sounded kind of harsh at the time but whatever works... Doing it at first felt so strange and I felt kind of like a fake. After a week of doing it, it started helping and feeling normal. Sometimes you have to "act as if." So basically doing it will eventually lead to believing it. Picking up a daily reflections book and taking like 10 to 15 minutes meditating over each saying helped to. At the start, AA itself and the rooms make a good higher power until you start seeing miracles and changes happening over some time. I saw someone with 22 years pick up a medallion last night that still has AA and the rooms as her higher power...You don't have to go all religious for AA to work, just believe in something larger than yourself. That can even be believing in a group of people whom you know that they believe.
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Keep coming back. It works if you work it. So work it. You're worth it!
Sounds like you have a desire to stay sober, which is great! My "worst days" sober have been infinitely better than my "best days" drunk.
Keep a grateful heart, and find things to be thankful for every day. Work the steps, go to meetings, and get a sponsor to help you work those steps. If you don't pick up and keep coming back, you will find it easier to get in touch with the Higher Power of your understanding.
I am grateful to see so many new folks here on MIP, and I look forward to a sober New Year with you and others here!!
Joni
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~Your Higher Power has not given you a longing to do that which you have no ability to do.
The best way to jump start your program is to attend 90 meetings in 90 days. It shifts the focus from our daily drinking to our daily recovery. And if you had time to drink every day, then you've got more than enough time to make a 1 hour meeting.
A big hello to you Craig!! Great job on staying sober and may you continue to do so "one day at a time" My first few months in sobriety I had to hit many meetings a day! Sometimes 3 just to get my mind off of drinking and of my poor me's!!! Do what it takes!!!
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"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have. "
Hi Craig, Good job on 12 days sober! And welcome to Miracles In Progress. Someone helped me with the Higher Power idea by suggesting that I could think of the word, GOD as God Orderly Direction and that worked for me. It's not about religion at all, as you no doubt know, it's simply about believing in something greater than ourselves, and as step three says, turning our will and our life over.....
and I love my f2f meetings, those meetings really help keep me sober, I can share my how the program is working for me and other people share their experience, strength, and hope and by listening to them I am helped so much. welcome to the world of soberiety, Recovery is awesome for me!
Hello Supercub (Craig) Thank for sharing! You really took me back. Not that it was that long ago. Take it easy, a sponsor use to tell me you'll get what you need when you need it. All I had to be was open and willing.
