It appears that a fair amount of the older members of this board are doing a lot more reading than posting these days. Myself included. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for all the new and newer members, and grateful for the older members that post regularly, it's just not as familiar as it once was. The board definitely evolves and changes. Then there are some folks that I got pretty chummy with that have left altogether (one passed away ) or don't post but once a year or less. So feeling a bit melancholy today (maybe it's the rain), would you old timers post in here and show me you're still around even though I can't see you? And by all means this thread is open to all to post in, even randomly .
Hello my brother!!! Funny I was just thinking the other day,I always check in to welcome newcomers or offer any ESH that I feel may be helpful but not writing much since I got to Florida.Sort of a little laid back complacency(never good)Have been also slacking from getting to meetings using excuses,no car,band rehearsals,every excuse that WE make up.I can only say thanks for reminding me of how complaceny in one area can start seeping into other areas of our lives.I havent even located a new homegroup or found a new sponsor since we arrived in Florida.With God's continued grace and mercy I will celebrate 28 years free of active addiction in December and always celebrated back in New York in both of my homegroups where I was actively involved not only in our groups but also at area,I tend to work a daily program relying on God and lately a little else on others.(again not the way to work a good program based on my own evidence.Just For Today,I will work to the best of my ability to not only not pickup but to get back in the saddle and again realize that this really isn't about me,but about how WE are able to help each other by sharing,caring and working a most thorough program.I'll will work to be more proactive rather than a lurker.I sometimes forget 'I ALWAYS NEED HELP AND ITS REAL HARD TO SEE YOURSELF COMING" Good talkin with you Dean let me know when your gonna get down the Pompano Beach way for some diving we'll hook up,share a hug and some laughs and make a meeting..Peace man......
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Selfishness-self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles.
I haven't been posting much lately... sort of "home group syndrome", where everyone is so familiar there is nothing new to say. That's not the case here, but because I've been going ONLY to my home group, I'm not really getting a lot of other input for topics and food for discussion... so I haven't been seeding any discussions here.
There is one guy who started coming to my home group a couple months ago. Knew him from when I first came in - not good buddies, just one of many. He went back out for a few years and now he's back in again, and we've spent some time talking after the meeting - brings back a lot to me as well as memories of how it was for me in the beginning, oldtimers no longer with us, etc.
Life is very busy... not so much work, which is predicable but within the family we have so many things going on, home improvement projects, etc, I just don't get to go out and around to different meetings and that will get me feeling stagnant again. I need to work in a regular time slot as a "go to an unfamiliar meeting" groove. If I pick Sunday evening, I could keep going for months and months without repeating myself...
I have been coming to the board for 9 months - and I sort of get what you're saying to a much lesser degree I'm sure. There is a different "feel" lately, but you taught me to live life on life's terms, and most importantly... to be patient. I treasured my "original huddle" when I first came here - all of you who literally loved me until I could love myself. You saved my life. The huddle is different looking today, but still just as appreciated and wonderful. For me, you ALL work together each day to save my life. I find joy in knowing some of you only for the minute we have together across the lands.
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Thanks for everything. Peace and Love on your journey.
Okay, I'm feeling a bit older now -no offense Dean. I do get where you're coming from, though. This board is like A.A. some days, something seems to be lost. Maybe, it's going through some changes? Who knows? It's still the same old M.I.P as before, at least it seems that way to me. I guess will wait and see.
Hey Dean, how's everything down south? It must be beautiful this time of year. I usually visit my brother in Yuma, Arizona during the winter; it's usually sunny and 70 most of the time. I can't wait to go back.
Speaking of which; how are you making out, Mike? How's Florida by the way? Nothing new up here in NY, except for A.A. It's like a ghost town at some meetings. How are the meetings down south? Better, I hope. Well, we miss you Mike. I hope your transition is going well.
I do have a question to ask if you guys don't mind. Has A.A. changed somehow or is it just me? I mean, every meeting I go to -here in NY- has been less than stellar. There are only a handful of regulars and very little newcomers nowadays. How about in your area? I'm just curious, that's all. Well, anyway; it's always nice to share some open dialogue with everyone here on M.I.P. It's always my home away from home, regardless. Hey, you old timers...speak up. We need more wisdom on this board.
~God Bless~
-- Edited by Mr_David on Wednesday 19th of September 2012 12:57:51 AM
Mikef, I used to live in that area.What I enjoyed was that there are meetings all day long. 6am meetings, 5:30 after work meetings, even 10pm & midnight meetings. The coast in that area is littered with sober houses which means a lot of newcomers to work with. Of all of them there have to be guys who want to work the steps. Many go down as you know to get sober from up north, mostly NY & NJ, a few MA. They have one shot left at this and need help. Many aren't ready yet and many are. There are also big book step meetings there, real good ones that have been carried down from MA, worth checking out for sure.
Intereseting that one of you says the meetings seem smaller etc. Some have been here too, I think it's the time of year maybe?
The first 6 months I lived in FLA were July & August, I couldn't believe folks wore long pants. I had no desire for chinese or italian food or any carbs at all...I drank so much water too. I lost 15 lbs in 6 weeks and kept it off too. Oct can be a very hot month too.
Yes meetings are everywhere here and like Susan says some go all day.I will work to get more active here(see previous post)David we are well and adjusting.We just found a house of worship for our family after 4 months of looking around and hopefully will get involved.I am playing in 2 bands right now but haven't gotten out yet hopefully soon.After leaving our jobs up North(mine of 35 years) I have gotten another one yet and not looking very hard at moment. Collecting Social security and Medicare and will probably seek part time and hopefully band will work occasionally for some pocket jing,Pray you are well brother.From the day after we got here ,my father in law had a couple strokes.lost all his bowel control and is restricted to a wheelchair so my wifes new job is going to their house at 9:00a.m and helping her parents until around 6 until her sister gets home from work.My mother in laws dimentia is getting progressively worse and needs as much help as possible.God has got us just where we are supposed to be and we put our faith in God.Yes Susan though we have been coming here for over 10 years for vacation in the summer I am still adjusting to the humidity and running has been not up to par as training in this humidity is wicked.Hopefully the weather is getting a little more condusive and I can get back into a routine.W only have one vehicle as we sold our cars in New York.I'll have to get a little bang around but watching our finanaces as not much coming in except Social.We are truly blessed though and in Lucidity a day at a time,we surrender our will and seek our God's guidance.I'll ride my bike around and see more things thru the day but got to look out on the roads here,drivers are not the best in this area(to say the least)Have a blessed and productive day ,stick in the solution and as always More will be revealed/.....Peace
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Selfishness-self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles.
In FLA churches are packed. I saw some terrible car accidents down there with motorcycles and cars and cars and trains etc...the old folks can't drive well and then you have young hotrodders in rented play machines. There were always (esp on the weekends) a few large groups of us in AA that hung out on the sand by the main bridge at Deerfield Beach where the little restaurant is. What fun. There was always newcomer drama but also serious excellent sponsors too...speakers who would come and do big book studies at The Bottom Line which was my homegroup for years. Also the Pompano Beach group where they split one room, smoking andnon-smoking, as if it made a difference in one room...this was 2000-2002. Have fun!
mikef wrote:
Hey David and Susan and Dean and all!
Yes meetings are everywhere here and like Susan says some go all day.I will work to get more active here(see previous post)David we are well and adjusting.We just found a house of worship for our family after 4 months of looking around and hopefully will get involved.I am playing in 2 bands right now but haven't gotten out yet hopefully soon.After leaving our jobs up North(mine of 35 years) I have gotten another one yet and not looking very hard at moment. Collecting Social security and Medicare and will probably seek part time and hopefully band will work occasionally for some pocket jing,Pray you are well brother.From the day after we got here ,my father in law had a couple strokes.lost all his bowel control and is restricted to a wheelchair so my wifes new job is going to their house at 9:00a.m and helping her parents until around 6 until her sister gets home from work.My mother in laws dimentia is getting progressively worse and needs as much help as possible.God has got us just where we are supposed to be and we put our faith in God.Yes Susan though we have been coming here for over 10 years for vacation in the summer I am still adjusting to the humidity and running has been not up to par as training in this humidity is wicked.Hopefully the weather is getting a little more condusive and I can get back into a routine.W only have one vehicle as we sold our cars in New York.I'll have to get a little bang around but watching our finanaces as not much coming in except Social.We are truly blessed though and in Lucidity a day at a time,we surrender our will and seek our God's guidance.I'll ride my bike around and see more things thru the day but got to look out on the roads here,drivers are not the best in this area(to say the least)Have a blessed and productive day ,stick in the solution and as always More will be revealed/.....Peace
And Truth. Truth is the one never-changing aspect of life. Truth is in this moment - right now...it's where God is, and it's been the same from the beginning of time and will remain the same until the last tomb crumbles in the very last graveyard.
When I sit still i know God is always ever-present, same as He always was, right there, anytime I want Him. What He wants from me more than anything is to spend a little time with Him, love Him and worship Him.
Aloha Dean...It is what it is till you change it. I understand the feeling cause I've had that before...not lost just quiet and wondering where the noise is going to come from. I didn't need the noise I needed to learn how to be quiet and just be that way. Part of my journey has been to be able to listen to the quiet and keep my brain still at the same time...that's good recovery considering how loud and noisey and out of sanity my brain can get...like it or not. I am not in control...I am powerless and therefore many times others get the lead. I love this morning's meeting (attitude adjustment in Hilo) because often it simply is about adjusting my attitude...the how I see things and then arriving at another or better place. The sharing started out slowly with the fellowship waiting for the next guy or gal to share first...Then the oldtimers go over in their heads whatever it takes and open the meeting up with a share about "how it was like, what they learned, and how it is like now", then the meeting opens up and takes off. Of course after it takes off we get the gratitude of being the student early on and consider our recovery the miracle it is. I hang with relapsers because that is my greatest fear (yes guys I'm not fear less yet even when I'm doing risky behavior thinking I'm smart now) and this morning two previous relapsers shared about what it is like now and I felt like my HP handed me a very special 70th birthday gift. My wife got me a SF49er tee shirt and these two guys got me more of a defense against that next drink that may be lodged in my sub-conscious mind...or not. I come to MIP daily and read...mostly I listen to newcomers and relapsers and smile to my HP because of the defenses I have today...just for today.
So my brother feel what you gotta feel because even feelings are the result of choices and keep coming back. Rains coming and we live up hill with lava as our base...don't think the ocean will rise over a 1000 feet in the next few days so I'm feeling cool. Mahalo for your share. (((hugs)))
Hey SPD, Who are you calling old? :) Anyhoo, This too shall pass. The newer posters will soon become the older posters, and the circle of forum life will be complete. Just be glad there are not a bunch of people trying to sell shoes here spamming up the works. This is all Bikerbill's fault. He has been neglecting us. Tom
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"You're in the right place. That's the door right there. Turn around."
That would be ideal. Florida must be nice this time of year? I might take a trip down, for a week or two. Winter in NY is kind of a drag, so I usually travel to warmer climates for a change of scenery. Maybe it will be Florida this year? Anyway, it's been a hoot.
Feeling a little better today, thanks family David I spent 27 years in the DC area, before moving to St. Pete in '92. 14 of those winters in DC I worked outside (construction). I used to get depressed about this time every year, at the beginning of fall knowing that winter would be here soon. All of that ended in the move. Now I pace myself through the 3 months of summer, broken up by a one week trip to the mountains every month.
Hey, I'm gonna start calling out names, if I don't see some more of you old timers posters.
Hey Dean, on August 13 i celebrated 16 years of sobriety by Gods Grace and Mercy. The program of Alcoholics Anonymous continues to change my life profoundly. I myself, when i do check in, notice that I am missing people too that I am familiar with on the board. Then I realize that the ones that are posting now are familiar to me especially when they say that Hi my name is....and I need help or I am a alcoholic....etc. Great to hear from you Dean and Others. Keep Coming Back!
Dean good to see ya posting. I need to post more there still seems to be a good energy here new comers popping in to ask questions like i did 5 plus years ago.
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Obsession with self in these matters is a dead end; attention to God leads us out into the open, into a spacious, free life. Romans 8:6 , The Message
I corresponded a lot with Toni also. Oddly, my grand sponsor's name was Tony D. and she was Toni D. They both struggled with terminal illness for a while and showed me how to pass away sober with dignity....Both would have been astounded to know how many people really looked up to them.
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Keep coming back. It works if you work it. So work it. You're worth it!
Ouch........guilty. It is so easy to "developmentally" move on as we move forward, especially after a long time of carrying the message, service work, giving back, and for some of us, having careers in the addiction treatment field. Then there is the current "add-on" of multiple cyber-sobriety online sites, personal recovery blogs...wow...the "excuses" can really pile up! Bill W. said "None of us makes a sole vocation of this work, nor do we think its effectiveness would be increased if we did." (pg.19, 4th ed.) Does that let me off the hook for reading more than writing? Uh.............no! As they say in old-school therapeutic communities, thanks for the "pull up" Dean.
Feeling this a lot lately on the board... and have been reading old posts from people I miss lately because of it. You being one of them Dean. I guess the leaves of change are blowin in. I will never ever ever forget you guys and gals :)
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Thanks for everything. Peace and Love on your journey.
I'm here. I'm working so many long hours and so many weird shifts that reading is easier than the half arsed replies that would be the best I could muster at the end of a work day. On non work days sleeping or my kids take up the rest of what I have in the tank.
No complaints though. After years of being a breathing lump I'm doing things that matter, even if it means that I have little time for other things that matter.
Hi Dean,
I'm still here but don't have a lot of internet time at the moment. I have been living aboard Fyne Spirit for the past year. My partner is finishing her job in a month and then we are off on our big adventure in the pacific. She will be teaching english as a second language, and I will be doing what I can for AA in the islands. I have been based in Wellington for the year and have really enjoyed and learned from the very unified AA they seem to have there.
What I've seen of the board lately has been quite encouraging. A lot of newcomers with good questions, and there has been an active team offering solutions.
Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for all the new and newer members, and grateful for the older members that post regularly, it's just not as familiar as it once was. The board definitely evolves and changes. Then there are some folks that I got pretty chummy with that have left altogether (one passed away 
) or don't post but once a year or less. 
So feeling a bit melancholy today (maybe it's the rain), would you old timers post in here and show me you're still around even though I can't see you? And by all means this thread is open to all to post in, even randomly 
. 
David I spent 27 years in the DC area, before moving to St. Pete in '92. 14 of those winters in DC I worked outside (construction). I used to get depressed about this time every year, at the beginning of fall knowing that winter would be here soon. All of that ended in the move.