i jsut heard of someone who became a statistic after 2 years in a program..29 year old female with 2 young children..if i forget for one minute where i came from and where i could go in the blink of an eye...well its a reality that hits me hard when i hear things like this. Please if you're sittin on the fence..tap into that strength in your heart. i hate this disease every minute of every day with every fiber of my being!!!!
But for the Grace of God, Want. We are all living on borrowed time.
But for the Grace of God. Enjoy the day, my freind. Enjoy the day.
At least we get to arrest our disease, one day at a time. We are very fortunate people.
I just came through a bout of cancer, and am pretty grateful to still be here. I have seen many sad situations in that area. Another person I came to know, just passed away a day ago, at the age of 48. 2 kids and a great husband. Sad Shit.
Live today to the fullest. Tomorrow might never come.
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Easy Does it..Keep It Simple..Let Go and Let God..
Hate takes a lot of negative energy that can be put to better use. I think one of the Promises has to to with 'not regret the past, nor shut the door on it'. This is not to say that it's okay,, or to be indifferent,,, but it is better to be positively grateful for recovery and try our best to be constructive.
It is truly tragic that some people die from this disease,, and it is only my belief in God and the World to Come that makes things make sense and be alright in the long run.
I used to be consumed with anger, hatred and bitterness,,, and it has been a real struggle for me and I have had to work realy hard on changing my 'stinking thinking' to an 'attitude of gratitude'. That is what we have to share with those still sick and suffering. I'm not saying that I am perfect in this either, or that we have to be 'Pollyannas'.
amanda
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do your best and God does the rest, a step at a time
my husbands sponsor had a sponsee who blew his head off because he couldn't let go and let God. it took us all off guard and let us think. just made a casual comment that he was going to blow his head off and that night he did.
there is a saying that stuck with us after that which is "You can carry the disease or you can carry the message"
I believe that there are reasons to why we are all here, if we didn't have the negative aspects of life, we would never appreciate the positive.
I, too, have the same passion to express the desire for all people to work this program and to do good. I am sorry that, that happened. the reality is and always will be JAILS, INSTITUTIONS OR DEATH That reality may make some uncomfortable but until i accepted this as the fate of my addiction i was only continuing to lie to myself-and rigorous honesty is a requirement to work this program.
This disease does suck but there is a solution---THANK GOD
It's funny to hear different peoples reactions to different things. When I was new I constantly heard the old saying, "The further you are from your last drink the closer you are to your next." It took years before the idiocy of that saying became evident. If that saying were true it would be worse and worse as we stayed sober longer instead of better and better. Today with my head clear many things I hear in AA just are not true. What has been true is that everyone has choices. We either choose to do it AA's way or our way. If I had not gone through really bad times I would not appreciate the good times I am experiencing now. If there were no newcomers I would not be reminded of how bad it can get out there. Now whenever I hear people express themselves at meetings I see how each of us is differnet in some respects and the same in others. I wonder sometimes while listening to people share and realizing how some people regardless of the feedback take no suggestions that the power of choice and self-will is so powerfull. I had to go through everything I had to go through to get where I am today. It's not merely an intellectual decision but an action behind the decision. Each of us comes from a different set of circumstances and reacts differently to different stressors. Just like when I came in I didn't think it would ever get better I know there is nothing I can say to get someone sober and there is nothing I can say to get someone drunk. It is all a choice made within the individual.
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"If God is your co-pilot, you need to switch seats."
I hate this disease as much as I hate cancer or the disease of scleroderma that I have.But I have choices to make when it comes to my treatment of alcoholism or scleroderma, my fellow membes of AA can share their experience, strength, and hope with me and my Dr. can give me his recommendation on what my treatment should be for the scleroderma, but I have to be the one to make the final decision on what is best for me.I have to ask once again for God to lead and guide me into what He wants me to do.
I have to remember we carry the program , not the alcoholic. I also have to remember not to give up five minutes before the miracle happens. I have faith that I'm where I need to be today in my recovery and pray God will use me if I'm working my program.
Thanks for everyones input on this one. Great shares.
