Great post and welcome to the board LB. Working the program hard, to get it "on board", takes a while and then there is maintenance. But learning how to live life on life's terms and re-join the human race is the purpose of recovery, assuming that we put our sobriety first. I was fortunate that I went through a divorce and was coming to the end of my 20's when I got sober. This more or less forced me to make a new life for myself, or "get a life" as some would say. A lot of people get stuck in AA and don't venture too far from it into the "real world".
-- Edited by StPeteDean on Sunday 10th of March 2013 12:32:26 PM
I personally believe I have to be sober physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. So there are exercises that I attempt to practice on a daily basis. The disease is 3 fold; an allergy of the body, an obsession of the mind and a malady of the spirit. Just not drinking takes care of the allergy. I do practice other exercises to recover from the obsession and spiritual malady on a daiily basis. This Keeps the allergy at bay. What do you do to stay sober? Meetings, sponsors, fellowship, and literature are where I learn; life is where I practice these principles in "all" my affairs. What do you think?
I agree as well. Just not drinking is not enough for me. Recovery for me is about my whole life and the changes that happen have way more to do with my entire being than just the bottle. One great lesson I learned in the rooms is to pause before reacting. I practice this in my daily living as much as possible. Taking a moment to remember who I am and who God wants me to be helps me more than I can say.
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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.
Sounds like you've been around a while ... I also agree, these are all necessary for a balanced recovery ... my sobriety may as solid as a rock, but I know at the same time it's as fragile as a dinner plate that will shatter when dropped ... So I celebrate the gift of recovery today ... ... ...
Love ya man and God Bless, Pappy
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
Hi, LB. I love your threefold summary. I am still relatively new to the program and am figuring out that for me, stopping drinking was the simple part, living sober is the part I am learning a lot about now.
Great responses! I appreciate the support, even when I'm not right. And that happens more often than I am right. In truth; I really think that I know that I have come to know that I really don't know, and therefore, I know that I don't know. You Know? :)
This reminds me of what my sponsor told me ... very, very similar ...: He said:
NOW IM GOING TO GIVE YOU THE KICKER.
This is the very one thing that got you hereBut its the very one thing that,..should it not change,..will be the very one thing thats going to keep you from getting all the things that God has for his children..
As long as you know that you know,.youll never know. But when you begin to do what we tell you not to do and to do and begin to know that you dont know,.then youll begin to know..
I said hell, you're crazy ... ... ... ... he said, I know ... ... ...
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
