Did the same thing this morning that I was taught to do from 2/8/79. In brief I woke up and swung my feet off the bed and onto the floor. I did my short simple version of the 3rd step prayer that my Higher Power and I have agreed is as simple as expected. "Place me where you want me...tell me what to do" and then I started the day with confidence because I know my HP answers that prayer. I joined with my wife in our weekday usual habit and then headed out to one of my clients place of business. Didn't have to take times out today because my back was feeling great...yesterday I had to take brakes because it wasn't and HP directed me to 4 rest periods. I own my own business so I don't have he criteria of the employees; I did some time over to make up for break time. I didn't take any invitations to be an asshole today tho my ego and pride are still intact. I didn't shortcut the quality of my work and I didn't shun those people who stopped along the way asking for some local information about a certain "coqui" frog that made unusually loud noises during the night. Simple stuff but good stuff. I kept my meditation going with me...which I arrived to about 1987 after a two week explatory on meditation with my former sponsor now past...Don T. (When in doubt Don.T! and Don.T react!!) The meditation is simple...I have not lost focus on it since I located it with Don's guidence..."God is". I work outside, inside and among God's creation. Every where I turn and everywhere I look..."God is" and I pray that others will find that meditation also when we encounter each other. God showed me I was loved when Don't came into my life and program. Yesterday I was blessed with another day of supported sobriety. Tomorrow I will swap my medallion for a new one...34 years and that one will circulate around the cabana which hosts our AA at the Bay group, and the fellowship will hold that medalion in their fingers one by one and pray silently on it as they did this one and this one will go to the next alcoholic who reaches the milestone. All we do is a day. We stay in one day and don't drink. We ask our Higher Powers..."Place me where you want me...tell me what to do" and we always know where one of those places are...in front of another person who wants to stop drinking. No rocket science at all. Just a keep it simple program. HP knows me. I know HP. We trust each other and hang together 24/7. Thanks for letting me share. ((((hugs))))
34 years of one day at a time, how awesome is that. Congratulations on another day, and on all those days that add up to 34 years. One of the old timers in our group who radiates serenity picked up his 31 year medallion a few days ago. He read a passage from page 25 in the BB, where it talks about how our Creator has entered into our hearts and lives, and commenced to do for us what we could not do for ourselves. Your post essentially says the same thing to me. If I can continue to trust in the faith I am developing in my life, no matter what the circumstance of the moment may be, I can stay sober, one day at a time. As life goes on, those days add up to months and the months add up to years. Thank you for showing me how it's done. (((hugs))) Kelley
__________________
I asked God for all things that I may enjoy life. He gave me life so that I may enjoy all things.
Beautiful Jerry,Thanks for being part of my journey and all of us here at MIP! Thank you for continuing to share your experience ,strength and hope with love and thoughfulness and reminding us even with one day free from active addiction how truly blessed WE are...Always in support and prayer....
__________________
Selfishness-self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles.
Jerry, thanks so much for sharing your experience strength and hope with us here at MIP. And thanks even more for sharing Who it is that has enabled you to stay honest, openminded and willing enough for all of the years to continue to enjoy your sobriety. You are living proof that no one need ever die or go insane from this disease.
__________________
"And we have ceased fighting anything or anyone-even alcohol. For by this time sanity will have returned."
Alcoholics Anonymous, Page 84
An addict is WHAT I am but it does not define all of WHO I am.