In spite of the idiotic name I decided to take a serious look at this book since I had a great deal of success with The Easy Way to Stop Smoking. I'm only about a the 3rd of the way through it and, much like the stop smoking book, I find myself feeling very intrigued and in agreement with the author's philosophies and methods. The Big Book is respectfully quoted frequently with great praise for AA and the help they provide to people. However, much like myself, the author doesn't accept the alcoholism allergy or disease theory, or that spirituality is a necessary component for solving problems with alcohol.
Naturally after being involved with AA for so long it feels odd to read these things that would be heresy in AA circles, even though they mirror my own deep inner feelings. I guess there was a part of me that was listening during all those meetings I dozed through and as I read the book I find myself asking if I'm I just looking for an easier softer way.
Do you feel it's wrong or a mistake to look for answers in non-AA literature? Am I looking for an easier softer way or am is it okay to find a middle ground where I can use a lot of different tools to change my life? Am I being foolish?
hi Tipsy...i've read some of your previous posts...sometimes i think you tend to answer your own questions...I can't tell you what is right or wrong...hey, if it works for you...i can only tell you how I do it...it may not work for you...you are the only one who truly knows, in your heart of hearts, what is right for you...follow your heart Tipsy...
I have NEVER smoked tobacco, so it's hard for me to relate... I guess it's what works for you. I think everyone's journey is atleast a little different. The bottom line is, do you want to live, or die (a question I have, and still do, struggle with.) If you want to live, quit and stay sober, ("by any means necessary") If you want to die, choose your poison, drugs, alcohol, or a .380 to the head...same result. That's just me...another drunk.
I would hazzard a guess that everything in that book does actually exist in AA. I have seen, or rather know people who have stayed sober for 20 years with the rooms only as their higher power. I have seen people stay sober for years with no sponsor. There are many elements of AA and it is a multifaceted approach because different parts work for different people. Most people do latch onto the spiritual part of the program because we as alcoholics need a constant healthy force to renew our energy and that is the most direct way to combat the major major problems and fears all of us have about simply living life on life's terms. Technically, I do think that swallowing the whole AA perscription is best, but a LARGE group of people out there do stay sober off meetings, fellowship, and a strong willingness to not go back to the bottom that drinking created. I am guessing that book is kind of like AA for dummies which is really what I need at times. I don't scoff at you for reading it but I do think it will ultimately lead you right back to AA. Speaking for myself, I think a key to success is to llatch onto the parts that make sense, have some faith, don't drink, and the rest will just sort of come to you. I don't have a pipeline to my HP yet. My HP is still largely the rooms, watching recovery, seeing people help each other, how AA has opened my eyes to people just helping each other get through life. Through that, I now see something divine and it came from a year of watching recovery in action and just not ever giving up. So...I hope to be more transformed into a spiritual person and that God will be more in my life, but I need to keep my mind open to him and it will get stronger as my recovery progresses. I did not know or understand this in the first few months. It had to evolve and will continue to as long as I work for it. Anyhow, nothing happens when you don't believe and arent fully willing. If reading this book helps you change your "stinking thinking" and stops you from thinking you are too unique for AA because you arent willing to become a "God" freak, then it's all good. A higher power can be a friggin cucumber, it could be that book Tipsy...all that matters is that it's not you, a drug, alcohol, or 1 single person.
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Keep coming back. It works if you work it. So work it. You're worth it!
Just came back, and saw that you were not kidding. You said you were not kidding, but I did not think you were serious.
So yes, go for it, anything that will help, try that out.
By the way, there is one man, that has over 20 years, that attends a noon meeting most of the time, and every time, he talks about his Recovery being based on his own Atheism, so never question that man, if it works for him, I don't have a better way, obviously whatever or however he has worked to stay sober all that time, I say Kudos to him. Andhe is always just one of us there.
Tip the easiest way to stop drinking for me was to find others who had done and we doing it and just duplicate what they were doing. I got the same thing they had attained and found I had no more questions for me about what, where, when who and why. I was there already.
I believe that as many paths lead to the top of the mountain, there are many ways to stop drinking. Try this method it might be the one you need.
When you have stopped drinking, then maybe you'll want to work on dealing with life. I've found that AA gave me a toolkit for this, but I bet there are other toolkits out there. This one works for me.
Give it a go.
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It's not having what you want, it's wanting what you got. BB
TM, Bruce Lee said "whatever works is good". The thing is that quitting drinking is really just the admission fee to this spiritual program of personal change. Yes the change would prevent the need to continue drinking but it's a bit of a catch 22 and you have to grunt your way through 90-180 days (depending). Somewhere during that time your mind and body begin to change and it feels good and so the journey continues. Most times a little blind faith can get us past this crucial stage.
Tipsy...If I used cucumbers as a higher power in the way you might be suggesting...they would truly become tasteless...or rather distasteful. Thanks for ruining cucumbers for me! There is no tasteful way to say that I'm not in that role in my relationships anyhow and if I was...a cucumber might be painful enough to force me into a spiritual awakening. Now that's food for thought.
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Keep coming back. It works if you work it. So work it. You're worth it!
