Well said Kelley. I can appreciate your gratitude among other things. It reflects a certain attitude that fits in nicely with recovery, so thank you for that. I can also relate to the "how too" part as well; it reminds me of my first year in sobriety and the trials and tribulations I went through. I mean, how can anyone ever repay A.A. for the joys they've given to us. That part is certainly beyond me. But I can return the favor in portions dear, that's the least I can do. And so have you.
You've done everything A.A. has asked of you dear; from chairing meeting to washing out cups. That's what I call 'being responsible' by the way. Your actions reflect that sentiment so well Kelley, and as the saying goes, actions speak louder than words. So continue to put some gratitude into that attitude", and never stop believing in miracles either, okay dear. You've done a great job so far Kelley, and have lived joyously in A.A. for some time now, so enjoy this moment and keep doing what you're doing, alright. It can only get better from here, we promise.
~God Bless~
-- Edited by Mr_David on Thursday 21st of June 2012 02:35:06 AM
How do you give back what has been so freely given when what you have been given is your life back? I have heard it said in meetings that if I would have written down what I wanted from recovery/sobriety when I first started and settled for that, I would have sold myself short. Truth be told, when I first started my journey, I don't think I really even wanted sobriety, I wanted to save my marriage and my life as I knew it. What I have received over the course of this past year (I say year, because although I've been going to AA for 18months, I didn't start putting anything into the program until a year ago) has been myself. I didn't realize that through the years of raising a family and having a career and being a wife, I came to define myself as a nurse and a wife and a mother, and lost me in there somewhere. I unknowingly formed resentments and then tried to drown them in a bottle, amongst other things. And finally, it all came crashing down around me. As I've gone through my first year, I am rediscovering, in a lot of ways actually discovering for the first time, who I am. Me, Kelley, the person. Some things I like, some not so much. But what I have now are tools to use to learn how to change and grow and become who I want to be, and to love who I am becoming. So tell me, how can I ever repay that? I put my name on the phone lists, I reach my hand out to the newcomer. I wash coffee cups and pour coffee. I chair a meeting once a week. I help clean our meeting hall. I pray daily for guidance and direction and I give thanks at night for my sobriety. I take responsibility for my actions and try to be responsible in my actions. This and so much more, I have learned through this program called AA and the people in it. I don't think I can ever repay what I have been given, but I will try to do so, one day at a time, just as you all have taught me. So thanks, with more love and gratitude than you will ever know, for being here for me when I need you. Peace.
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I asked God for all things that I may enjoy life. He gave me life so that I may enjoy all things.
Do you know you could have just saved somones's life with that post?...And you'd never even know it. It's nice to see those promises coming true....Keep doing what you are doing.....And thanks for a beautiful post.
Kelley - Congrats again on the 1 yr - that is really great!
It's just like someone mentioned above - you posted something and it could be the very first thing anyone ever reads pertaining to AA. They may pop on this site - read that, and hope and wonder in awe how someone could be sober a WHOLE YEAR! And then try this AA thing out too.
This site was the first moment into AA for me too. I read the sticky Letter to a woman alcoholic, and cried through the whole thing. I was scared to read some parts but couldn't look away.
I posted a "hello I'm new" post - and you welcomed me. I was shocked that people would take the time to welcome me! That they could have any reason to go out of their way to say welcome, and that they were glad I was here.
So you've already given back to me - and you're an inspiration. You were among the people who gave me the nudge to go to my first meeting, and my life would be either over, or crap if you hadn't done that.
Your gratitude is wonderful, and I'm glad you're here : )
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Thanks for everything. Peace and Love on your journey.
Nezy - So happy for you. I can almost literally hear the chains snapping off you - the chains being those of bondage of self and of alcohol. Seeing you break free and find yourself through this spiritual journey in AA is what I need to stay on track. The same thing happened for me and I cannot get enough of seeing it happen for others.
Whether you sponsor or just keep doing the service you are doing...it's all good. You are headed in the right direction.
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Keep coming back. It works if you work it. So work it. You're worth it!
How do you give back what has been so freely given when what you have been given is your life back?
I don't think I can ever repay what I have been given, but I will try to do so, one day at a time, just as you all have taught me. So thanks, with more love and gratitude than you will ever know, for being here for me when I need you. Peace.
You do so, as a parent gives of themselves to their young ... just as you are doing now, you teach, show by example, feed knowledge and wisdom to the young new-comers ... you watch them grow in the program and help them when they go 'off-course' ...
You give them 'positive' re-enforcement when they are disappointed or depressed ... You give back by helping the new-comers heal from the sickness they carry in them ... and like a child will sometimes fail, if this should occur with the 'new-comer', you simply give them a hug, tell them it will be okay and go on ...
All this is usually done without effort on our part, It has become that 'way-of-life' we refer to frequently ... When we practice these principles in all our affairs, we are indeed, giving back ... and just think, your helping someone today means they help someone else tomorrow, and then those people go on to help yet others until before you know it, the person you helped has started an avalanche of 'good works' ...
That's the way Pappy sees it, God Bless!
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
Thank you for helping me stay sober today, Kelley! :)
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I think there's an invisible principle of living...if we believe we're guided through every step of our lives, we are. Its a lovely sight, watching it work.
You have shown that gratitude is more than a feeling, it is an action.The rewards for following this path are immense. It seems the more we try to give, the more we receive.It keeps getting better and our understanding and faith keep getting deeper.
