The worst days of my drinking life and sobriety turned out to be the best things to share with newcomers. Its my broken life that was of maximum benefit to others. When I got sober in AA I was very excited, because such a huge addiction had been conquered. I was in for a big surprise, because recovery meant pain and lots of it. I had no alcohol to dull sober pains. The only available resources was to work the steps and go to meetings and rely on a sponsor. AA as a fellowship has a huge reserve of strength for each other. For me to be broken meant getting rid of my selfish pride. Surrender was not in my vocabulary. But broken I was through insults, humiliation and financial ruin, all in my sober life. I learnt to submit to these humiliations through using my 12 step recovery program and life became easier on my knees. Hard to fall hard from that level. Great to be a broken vessel.
-- Edited by gonee on Sunday 23rd of May 2010 11:32:38 AM
I sure am broken right now. My divorce is killing me. I am emotionally, financially and spiritually bankrupt. And to top it off I have an alcoholic mind and body that won't give me a break. Only God can do that.
__________________
~Your Higher Power has not given you a longing to do that which you have no ability to do.
Our writings tells us"we were in the grip of a hopeless dilemma,the solutions of which are spiritual in nature.We suffer from an illness which only a spiritual experience will conquer! IF GOD IS FOR US,WHO CAN BE AGAINST US!
__________________
Selfishness-self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles.
Thanks for this thread and these shares. Yep, during my drinking, I was able to live things pretty large, didn't save a thing, thought that everything would last forever. My own arrogance and impulsiveness made me think that I was one of those guys that had it all figured out. In fact, I used to think that I could handle absolutely anything, as long as I could get to the pub. Wow.
And then, in very early sobriety I had some shaky moments where I honestly believed that bad things wouldn't happen if I worked the program.
Now, in early sobriety, I appreciate that none of us immune to bad things happening. But I also know that this fellowship and this 12-step program gives us the equipment that we need to get through things in a way that we don't need to drink. In other words, if I work this program to the best of my ability (and that is the magic word, "if"), then it will equip me to handle anything without a pub. I'm very grateful for that indeed.
I sure am broken right now. My divorce is killing me. I am emotionally, financially and spiritually bankrupt. And to top it off I have an alcoholic mind and body that won't give me a break. Only God can do that.
But.....you're sober today, have a place to live, food to eat, and people (including HP)that care about you. I'd say that you are weathy and have all that you need.
