Hello, I am new here and in AA. I wont get into the wreckage of my past, just take your past and insert my name. Nobody gets into AA on a winning streak. They said to come into this program with an open mind. I had been drinking 35 yearsdaily, and I cant ever remember having one beer only. I didnt have the slightest clue what this program was about, my mind couldnt have been more open. I got out of detox and was given a copy of the Big Book and was told to read the first 164 pages. I did, 3 times in a row. I was in a 30 day treatment center that stressed AA and I liked what I saw.
After being there for a week out of Detox, a God Given women there asked if I would like to go to a meeting with her. My mind was still a mess and I listened the best I could. All I remember was leaving that meeting knowing this was where I needed to be. I went the next four mornings with her and she asked me if I had signed out. I hadnt, nor did I know I wasnt allowed to leave the facility till after 2 weeks. I signed out for my sixth meeting and the tech said I wasnt allowed to go. I had a not so God Given conversation with him about the logic behind this. I was here to get well and I liked how I felt. I went.
I ended up leaving that rehab after two weeks, as I lived close to it and my car was at home. I wanted to pour myself into this program like I poured my life down the toilet and go to as many meetings as I wanted, when I wanted. I was told I should go to 90 meetings in 90 days. I didnt see that in the BB but I did see the importance of doing the steps. That is where the recovery is. Fearless and thorough from the very start. So I had a sponsor and a home group my second day out. I made it my goal to take these 12 steps in 90 days and do 180 meetings. I did both. (The steps in about 80, I could have done them quicker but I wanted to do them right. By the way, thats not 80 eight hour days. You get the point.)
The results of doing this has completely changed my life. I cant even put it into words. So I wont, you'll just have to try it yourself. This is the most amazing thing that has ever happened to me and those promises do come true. Listen closely when they are read.
I will have 5 months sober on Sunday and I want to wish you all a very safe and sober Thanksgiving. It will be different for me. Ill be able to remember it and have so much more to be thankful for. God bless you all. More will be revealed!
-- Edited by Stepchild on Thursday 24th of November 2011 10:26:27 PM
I just wanted to say what a wonderful story of your experience ... You are definitely not taking the 'half-measures' road ... that's great and it always does my heart good to read stories like yours ... and if you thought the promises were coming to you already, just wait til you get to experience 1st hand, the results of what you can do for others that need help in recovery ... There is no greater feeling than that of helping someone as 'hopeless' as I was, go on to experience a rewarding recovery right in front of me, to be able to once again, participate in life ...
I hope you can ride that 'pink cloud' forever, but know this, trials will be part of our future ... we will come to know disappointments and heartbreak of one sort or another, but this time we can be 'spiritually fit' enough to handle them ... (will suddenly know how to handle situations which used to baffle us) ... so be prepared!
Love you, love your story, and may God Bless, Pappy
P.S. Trying to post this before Fyne Spirit, cause he always says it better than I can think it! ... ;) HeeeHeee
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
Thanks Pappy...disappointments and heartbreak are simply the cards that life deals sometimes....I just feel better armed to face them now. Awareness, Acceptance and Gratitude can work wonders...Thanks for the welcome friend...
This is a powerful testament. Those steps you did will need to be your way of life from now on and you will be a constant student of them throughout your entire sobriety...never completed....Just a daily reprieve.
I really liked you post because you came here with the solution already and you came here stating what you were doing and how it worked. Often (as you know) we see folks that want the solution without doing any of the work. Thank you so much for being an example of how it works!
Keep posting - Even if it is to obtain experience, strength, and hope from others. 5 months sober is still pretty raw even though it's a great and miraculous thing. I often post on here to get a sober reference from multiple people who have lots of combined sobriety. I cannot say "hey guys what do you think about ......blah blah..." and get multiple answers/suggestions from multiple people with double digit sobriety in a meeting. (positive crosstalk I guess) That is what makes MIP so special to me.
Mark
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Keep coming back. It works if you work it. So work it. You're worth it!
Good for you, now its time to reach out and begin to sponsor/help others who are as willing and open minded as yourself. Spread this great new found life of yours around and share it with other New ppl in AA.
