I can only share what has worked for me. I certainly believe meetings are important but applying the spiritual principles of our program ,Alcoholics Anonymous,the steps/traditions and even concepts if you really get service oriented.,,,.. have basically shown me a new way to live and how to be of maximum service to the God of my understanding and reach out to help others to the best of my ability..! I came into the process in 1984 after 25 years of active addiction.I did no work except show up for meetings,had a sponsor,who also did no step work, I didn't listen and thought I knew what to do.I stayed free of active addiction (that is from any CHEMICAL substance)for over 20 years until I crawled back into the rooms mentally ,spiritually and pyhsically broken,as bad as when I was using. (drinking)It was only through application of the program,step work with a sponsor,service,comittments and sharing from my heart that really started the healing process..For me, remaining God centered and continually "doing the work" I am happy ,joyous and free a day at a time. Don't get me wrong,I have many trials as life will just continually show up.I have learned a new way to approach them,relying on(turning my will and life over to the care of) my Higher Power and making decisions and letting God work out the results. There will still be pain......Congratulations on 10 years without a drink,I know the feeling of abstinence from the alcohol or any mind altering mood changing chemical. I also know what it took for me to begin recovery and find a new way to live.(application of principles daily,remaining God centered)It sounds as if you have some program time and some information on How it Works"which is a blessing.There is a solution,we do recover from a seemingly hopeless state of body and mind,a daily reprieve,based on a fit spiritual condition. Its nice to meet you, hope you stick around and help us.....I really do believe if you arent working on something then somethings working on you...they are not just cute sayings, it is wisdom formulated from our predesessors. Welcome once again,we are here for each other,no big I's or little U's here,,JUST ONE HELPING ANOTHER IN A LOVING AND CARING MANNER... peace
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Selfishness-self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles.
I vote you go back to some meetings, bring the body and the mind will follow. Get committed and give back some of what you where given....it's just like riding a bike.
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Rob
"There ain't no Coupe DeVille hiding in the bottom of a Cracker Jack Box."
Meeting makers make it... I heard this saying when I first came around AA, and it has stuck with me throughout my sober years -thank God. It has paid off in so many ways, and has provided me some comfort, even through some of the most dire of circumstances. Whenever, I feel angry, lonely, hungry or tired, all this alcoholic needs to do is attend meetings to feel better. Every meeting I attend is a reassurance that God can restore sanity to my life, once again, and through the sobering up process, I can be enlightened by the amazing gift of sobriety in all its splendor -one meeting at a time.
When my life becomes too demanding, then I need to find a sober alternative to meetings. I can't allow life to become so overwhelming that I miss out on all the benefits afforded to us in sobriety.The main reason why I became sober, other than the obvious, is to enjoy life as it was meant to be with all the promises afforded to us in recovery. I cannot allow my sobriety to be put in jeopardy because of anxiety and stagnation or lack of virtue. My future can be affected just the same, especially when I don't pursue my dreams with the same passion as I do my program. My future can only look as bright as my willingness allows. I must be proactive in pursuing my dreams as I do anything that has lasting value, just like I do my program. My life has taken on new meaning as a result of my willingness and the same thing can happen to anyone who has a desire to change. I hope we do -one day at a time.
-- Edited by Mr_David on Monday 4th of April 2011 11:53:07 PM
-- Edited by Mr_David on Monday 4th of April 2011 11:54:32 PM
I get the picture of a masochist being in self pity. Hugely scary for me. I do relate to where you are and why and I don't do that anymore. I can do 3 meetings a day here in Hilo and the surrounding areas without any other justification than to know I get closer to sobriety when I do. Knowing and not doing is like standing on the railroad tracks watching the high speed coming at me with the thought I'll survive it. I will survive it cause I'm not gonna stand on the tracks at all for any reason. Get you the meeting...listen and learn.
Hi Juan and welcome to the board. My problems really got cranked up when I put the drink down. I got the message first hand that alcohol was but a symptom. Drinking was my solution until it stopped working. Then I had a thinking and a drinking problem.
I suffered from a Spiritual Malady that only a Spritual Awakening could arrest. We have a daily reprieve from our diesase based on the maintenance of our spiritual condition. To maintain our Spiritual condition we must take action.
Toni..i`m just reverting to my old ways of letting it pile up,have had a lot of Bad things happen in the last year and i keep carrying it all...i know how this story ends if i don`t set this baggage down.
i was a hard drinker for 30+=yrs(twice i quit for a year) so i know where this type behaviour leads and i know the cure...thats what confounds me the most...it`s like slamming my hand in a door over and over and over..then wondering why my hand is sore..lol
