Obstacles do not have to stop you. If you run into a wall, do not turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb over it, go through it, or work around it.
We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements of life, when all that we need to make us happy is something to be enthusiastic about.
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You only live once; but if you work it right, once is enough. There is nothing better than the encouragement of a good friend.
And acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. When I am disturbed, it is because I find some person, place, thing, or situation—some fact of my life —unacceptable to me, and I can find no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing, or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to be at this moment. Nothing, absolutely nothing, happens in God’s world by mistake.
God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change
The courage to change the things I can
And the wisdom, to know the difference..
........................
Ive learned the hard way, that happiness comes from within...the rest of it? outside ourselves?..contributes, to that happiness..
We are still breathin..we are sober...we havent killed anyone lately...or been in jails..and all that fun stuff.. Gotta be grateful hu...?
Things not goin my way? Ohhhh welllll (Smile)
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Easy Does it..Keep It Simple..Let Go and Let God..
So - Phil - Correct me if I am wrong - You said "absolutely nothing happens is Gods world by mistake" which means He has a reason for everything He does. So - what is the main purpose or reason for wiping out hundreds of innocent people with hurricanes, tornadoes, etc... If He put us on this place called earth - then why is he wiping us out almost as fast as He put us here. From my belief He created the world, atmosphere, vegetation, humans, animals and everything else around it - so why is He doing this to us.
Jeannie
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You only live once; but if you work it right, once is enough. There is nothing better than the encouragement of a good friend.
I like the saying, "If He brought me to it, He will bring me through it." And He always has, even when I was fighting Him all the way.
Jail, I haven't been there, but I sure have been visiting the husband there the last few months. As I have sat in the waiting area I have talked to many of the other people there. Mom's who's son's or daughters are there for whatever reason,other wives, we have formed a bond, I have them on my prayer list.I feel like God wants to use me in whatever is going on around me.
Hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, fires, bombings...I always marvel at the outreach of the people who survive, the goodness in people, the compassion, people who travel hundreds or thousands of miles to help ...My Gods ways are Higher than mine, not for me to understand. I cry, I get angry, scream, holler, kick, and when I'm done He's still there. He never leaves and just for today, He gets me through.
um--I dont have the answers Jeannie--I honestly dont. Im not into the religeous aspect of things..and this program is not religeous...so you will hafta go to a person that is..for the questions you have, on that one.
With regard to the AA program.... "I beleive in a God of my understanding" and mine only.
Its just a Higher Power..greater than myself...that simple. I just happen to call my Higher Power ..God..
This is a spititual program...not a relgious program. However..to each their own..as to their own beleifs, with regard to a Higher Power.
Some use nothing more than good orderly direction.--or their group..etc.
The only other answers I can share with you...are in steps 2 and 3 of the 12 step book..which..you have.
We come ......We come to...We come to beleive...
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Easy Does it..Keep It Simple..Let Go and Let God..
Obstacles do not have to stop you. If you run into a wall, do not turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb over it, go through it, or work around it.
We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements of life, when all that we need to make us happy is something to be enthusiastic about.
Hi Jeannie. True?? Depends on the situation. One of the things I do is high altitude mountaineering, some of the time, if you give up, you die. When other people ask me why I do it (18 or more hours of hard work and pain for 5-20 minutes of good views) I honestly can't answer. It seems insane.
Alternative situation. I've just started working in a funeral home. Today was the first day when I had to work by myself due to a collegue being ill. The jobs I had to do are difficult (you try dressing a person who isn't helping) I could have given up and just left the person in the mortuary (morgue). The family of the deceased would'nt have been happy though.
Obsticles are not problems, they are an oppurtunity to excell at what ever we are doing. Facing adversity and overcoming it is the reason that any living creature survives.
As for God, I don't know, I don't have one. I do believe praying works though, it has been scientifically studied.
So - what is the main purpose or reason for wiping out hundreds of innocent people with hurricanes, tornadoes, etc...?????? Good question!
Car crashes, earthquakes, tsunamis, terrorists...... Very few people get to chose the way that they pass on, those that do are gererally suicides. My view, sh** happens, when it's you're time, it's time to go.
I hope that my views in no way offend you, or anyone else. Just my opinion.
Best wishes to all here.
Chris.
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"Computer games don't affect kids; I mean if Pac-Man affected us as kids, we'd all be running around in darkened rooms, munching magic pills and listening to repetitive electronic music." -- Kristian Wilson, Nintendo, Inc, 1989"
Lesss seeee...... Well, I sure aint no bible thumper,,,,been pretty hardcore agnostic since I was a teenager (in spite of the fact that me pappy were a graduate of the seminary & a bonafide minister!)an I sure as hell aint ready to give it up!
On the other hand, I believe what science of late is telling me....that there are black holes and worm holes in the universe that defy natural science by distorting space and time itself. I believe what scientists tell me when they say that there was once no matter, only energy, and that the entire universe was once ALL contained within a space smaller than a kernel of wheat! I also believe what the physicists tell me when they say that all their calculations concerning the Theory of Relativity and Quantum Physics cannot work together unless you accept the fact that there are at least 10 dimensions (up to 26) within our universe. Tough luck that we can only perceive of height, width and depth, along with the 4th dimension of TIME ( which, by the way Einstein says is "relative"--IE. when you come close to a LARGE gravitational body <like a black hole> both time and space are warped).
OK, so now we are wondering that, if there is a "God" capable of creating such a monster as this entire universe, which is, as Carl Sagan said, is "billions and billions of stars", and billions and billions of light years in size (travelling at the speed of light for one year <186,000 miles per second!>, which, by the way also warps space and time, according to Einstein) we could possibly hope to understand that creator's design.
Well, HOLY CRAP! Here's another mind bender to ponder! ( Please keep in mind that I am an agnostic, and therefore not a fanatic adherent to the above<in other words, not convinced myself>)
IF there is an existance of a "soul" which transcends this realm which we perceive, and our "mortal" experience truly is just part of an eternal scheme, what is this huge p_ssing, whining sound we are making over the death of 1 mortal or 1 million due to a shrug of the earth (perhaps the annihilation of the entire planet)? I know it is hard to grasp the paradox (is it a paradox?), but, if we truly believe that there is a God, which in conjunction means we all live forever in SOME plane, wouldn't complete destruction (or even, just a few thousand painful, miserable deaths---only to experience greater peace and joy in another plane) be meaningful only in this existence? Or are we failing the test?
Like I said, I personally don't think we are in a position(at least yet, scientifically) to answer the #1 question. I also don't think I can challenge the belief of any other member of AA, ( or any one else for that matter) whether they believe in monotheism, polytheism, or atheism. I only know that they all end in "ism", and the one reason we are all here is we believe in alchol"ism" being an "ism" we don't want to be a follower of any more.
If it seems like I'm rambling folks, it's only because I am. Also, I haven't confessed to you all before that I am mildly manic/depressive, and prone on occasion to free that "inner voice".
Forgive me for that, but not for believing that all people, PARTICULARLY AA'ers should be able to turn their lives over to "God as they understand Him".
PS. Now you really know the truth...Dakota Dan isn't just an alcholic,,,,,,HE'S NUTS!
Phil - I was not pushing religion. I have my own beliefs, you and everyone else have your own. If I came across as shoving my beliefs in your face then I am sorry, All I was looking for was different points of view. Just trying to rationalize in a reasonable manner how others see these tragedies. So if I recall it was you who brought religion in to this - not me - all I did was ask a few questions to see what others had to say. I am amazed at others point of view.
As for the original posting:
What these mean to me - the first one. Do not give up when something or someone is in your way. There are ways to work with and through it. And as for the other - We became to comfortable in our old lives - eat, sleep, work and most important get drunk. The enthusiastic part is another day sober, roof over our head, food in our stomach and most importantly friends and family who are true to us.
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You only live once; but if you work it right, once is enough. There is nothing better than the encouragement of a good friend.
You didnt push anything my freind....I just gave my opinion on it...:) and youre right...I brought religion into it..
As you walk to work, tomorrow morning...at 745am.....with enthusiasm..through 6 ft snow banks....and 50 mile an hour winds....you will be in my thoughts....as I snuggle under the covers--till 9am....saying.. "Sorry" "The taxi office isnt open yet"..... lol
It is now 1205 am--closing down early....for the night...the last 45 minute round trip..just took 2 hours..and beleive me....there is a God!! He made snow banks... to bounce off of...
Have a good Saturday!! Meeting Saturday night hu.:) Bring the cheesies...please....
And Im still trying to figure out who Boston is...musta been intoxicated...when they were around...
A song that does come to mind tho is...."If drinking dont kill me...her memory will"...Musta been a George Jones thing...
Grateful...that the pink elephants.. all went away...now its...just dodging turnip trucks...
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Easy Does it..Keep It Simple..Let Go and Let God..
I too believe that everything that happens for a reason. But that doesn't mean I understand it. Today I accept that I don't have the mind of God and I don't have an answer to everything. What a relief to be able to say that I don't know. But there is a daily reminder that there is a God. It's the only explanation for the fact that I haven't had a drink. I fill up when I think of that ! " I haven't had a drink today."
For one thing Phil I leave for work at 7:25. Yes I will be enthuastic through 6 feet snow banks and 50 mile hour winds because this is another day sober. As for today I have been sober longer than you have because I was up earlier. You sleep tight for now. At least when I get up in the morning I do NOT have to shovel the snow - worry if the car will start after I finally find it in the 6 foot snow drifts in my driveway. You may be able to sleep in this morning but I can go to bed earlier than you. The jury is still out on the cheesies issue. Is this not way off topic!!!!!!!
Have a nice sleep - for now!
Hope your shovel doesn't break.
Boston is a rock group from the 70's known for the song " More Than A Feeling" among others.
Jeannie
-- Edited by jeannie at 07:21, 2005-12-03
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You only live once; but if you work it right, once is enough. There is nothing better than the encouragement of a good friend.
To bad - so sad that you cannot find your car, Tough luck. But on the other hand I feel just a little bit sorry for you. Just your luck - I have tomorrow off work and I will come and HELP you shovel out the car - but not with a broken shovel. You have to do the crap that the snow plow has contributed to the problem. The joys of a canadian winter EH!!!
Jeannie
Have you figured out who Boston is YET.
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You only live once; but if you work it right, once is enough. There is nothing better than the encouragement of a good friend.
You sleep tight for now. At least when I get up in the morning I do NOT have to shovel the snow - worry if the car will start after I finally find it in the 6 foot snow drifts in my driveway. You may be able to sleep in this morning but I can go to bed earlier than you. The jury is still out on the cheesies issue. Is this not way off topic!!!!!!!