yesterday, I told my close friend Steve "Let's go have a few beers". He asked "What's the occasion?" and I told him "It's the last time I'm going to drink". He laughed (it was a monday night) and said "Sure, let's go". We had a great time, I woke up feeling ok, no regrets about my behavior. I headed to a meeting that night to pick up my last white chip (I have more than a few) and the rest, aside from a few growing pains, has been a walk in the park. My life, in sobriety, has been quite special, a lot more so than I deserve. Many blessings and gifts of sobriety have materialized. I can't think of any part that is lacking. Thank you, my family of choice here on MIP, for 7 wonderful years of fellowship on this board. It's provided me (blessed me) with most of my interaction with this program.
Congrats Dean! Thank you for your service here at MIP. You helped me and a great many people on this board. We're blessed to have you in The Fellowship. Keep carrying the message! Love ya Dean, Mike.
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.
Pappy, I'm in awe of folks that had several decades in their drinking career. I wasn't that successful . Pretty beat up by age 27 ( I started drinking regularly at age 8) and it still took me 2 years of going to meetings pretty regularly to "get it". Luckily I had some somewhat severe alcoholics for friends, you know the associating with people that are sicker than you to fool yourself into thinking "Hey, I'm not that bad!" lol. The vision of the future, through looking at them, was more than I could bare. It was only a matter of time.
Blessings of this day Dean, congrats on your time free from the monster of addiction and for all your service and personally for the help through the years. Peace and serenity brother!!
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Selfishness-self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles.
Pappy, I'm in awe of folks that had several decades in their drinking career. I wasn't that successful . Pretty beat up by age 27 ( I started drinking regularly at age 8) and it still took me 2 years of going to meetings pretty regularly to "get it". Luckily I had some somewhat severe alcoholics for friends, you know the associating with people that are sicker than you to fool yourself into thinking "Hey, I'm not that bad!" lol. The vision of the future, through looking at them, was more than I could bare. It was only a matter of time.
I hear ya Dean, ... I started at 20 and didn't totally stop till 55 ... I tried AA at 42 and just like you shared above, I kept seeing and hearing from those a lot sicker than I thought I was ... so ... at 42 I went on to get as sick, if not sicker, than them ... LOL ... it wasn't pretty!!! ...
I admire anyone smart enough to see what's in the future for them if they keep doin' what they always did ... and that admiration comes from them having the 'balls' to change while they still have a chance ... I almost lost my chance, and I hope and pray others will gain the insight to see what's ahead of them if they don't change ... that is if they're not happy being who they are right now ...
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
24 years ago!!
Wow, thanks for all the Miracles in Progress!!
I aspire to be a longer timer like you---(8 years here), day by day, with the fellowship of AA and places as wonderful as MIP!!