My sponsor keeps me grounded on most days, especially when life seems a bit overwhelming. He says "it's still a part of this ongoing drama we call life, regardless of our sober time". Something I just happen to agree with. So when it comes to these troubling scenarios, we can almost be assured of victory, whether that's premature or not. All we really need is some compassionate 'soul's' eager to take that journey along side us. And that's how my journey began, actually; in the light of someone else's tunnel.
Sometimes, these baffling scenarios may require more than just a keen eye to understand, that's all. While on other days it just may require a more of a delicate touch than anything else. Concerted efforts seem to help somehow, so do the many allies we have at our disposal today. And that's how this fellowship comes into play. They create an atmosphere that promotes ongoing growth while providing endless opportunities, not conjecture. So it's important to include them too.
Just try to remember this one thing, though: "When we bear these discomforts, somehow, someway, the comfort will eventually come. All because of my extended sober family, once again. So thank you once again, guys/gals. You've been my life blood, indeed.
-- Edited by Mr_David on Saturday 20th of October 2012 04:19:01 PM
I really need to take HALT seriously, (Hungry, left it until 9 last night to eat my main meal of the day) (Lonely: feel upset at the loss of my friend of some of the circle that I had when I first came into AA: some are not with us anymore and some have gone out : I miss them) (Tired: doing trade fairs at work that I am no longer up for physically: I am reviewing this for the future and have tackled my schedule). It seriously affect my sobriety. I had three out of four of these most of the week, bar the anger. I am fortunate to have got to a lot of meetings and have a good sponsor that I can contact any time. I still felt very vulnerable last night and finally realised that I had no defence against that first drink. I found myself going into euphoric recall and experience a craving. I am over three years now and this teaches me to be very vigilant where this disease is concerned. I lost my friend two weeks ago through suicide to this disease. I am taking it easy today, not rushing off to the shops as planned and am narrowly diverting a kidney infection. Thanks too for this board as I felt I could check in and read how others were doing. I found a wonderful post on letting go which I copied to a word document and am keeping close by at the moment.
Yes, I have to copy that one too... excellent idea - and thank you for sharing here and checking in with us. It's great that you didn't give your disease what it wanted. I am not going to be able to offer any experience with what you're dealing with. I have less sobriety, and I haven't lost anyone in sobriety. I can only imagine how hard it must be to feel what you are... I think you're doing the right thing by connecting in meetings and here and with your sponsor... sounds like you do have some tools to use in defense against your disease : ) Your HP is the only thing I didn't hear any mention of. Lots of love and well wishes... here to listen anytime you need. Your here for me today, to help keep me sober, and I appreciate that and couldn't do it without help... so thank you for not picking up and keepin on. Your an inspiration.
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Thanks for everything. Peace and Love on your journey.
I still use HALT today ... It's just a common sense approach to staying sober ... the thing is, it'll sneak up on you ... when we get caught up in some daily activity or special project or situation, sometimes we pause and realize, hey, I haven't eaten in 8-10 hours, or wow, I haven't taken a break in a long while, or we get so busy we haven't just sat down and chatted with someone, or we find what someone else said, offensive and we get angry or irritated, or any number of other situations that lead to the same end, we find ourselves vulnerable to our old way of thinking and our old way of dealing with these situations ... by drinking ...
So we have learned to keep watch out for these signals, to eat when it isn't convenient, to quell an angry thought when it comes, to call and talk to someone when we realize we've kept to ourselves for too long, and to get some sleep, a nap perhaps, to keep exhaustion at bay ... These are good habits that replace the bad and it helps us to retain our sanity ...
Great Topic
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
I dunno, but sounds to me that you"re using this program to say sober, MR. :) Sounds to me that you're doing Step 10-12 actively and you've revisited the Step 1 admission.
HALT is good practical guidance. BUT, HALT or no-HALT, we can stay sober, if we work these 12 steps thoroughly.
