By going back in our drinking histories, we could show that years before we realized it we were out of control, that our drinking even then was no mere habit, that was indeed the beginning of a fatal progression. TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 23
When I was still drinking, I couldn't respond to any of life's situations the way other, more healthy, people could. The smallest incident triggered a state of mind that believed I had to have a drink to numb my feelings. But the numbing did not improve the situation, so I sought further escape in the bottle. Today I must be aware of my alcoholism. I cannot afford to believe that I have gained control of my drinking - or again I will think I have gained control of my life. Such a feeling of control is fatal to my recovery.
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* We eventually realize that just as the pains of alcoholism had to come before sobriety, emotional turmoil comes before serenity. *
Sometimes in life, things happen too fast. We barely solve one problem when two new problems surface. We're feeling great in the morning, but we're submerged in misery by nightfall.
Every day we face interruptions, delays, changes, and challenges. We face personality conflicts and disappointments. Often when we're feeling overwhelmed, we can't see the lessons in these experiences.
One simple concept can get us through the most stressful of times. It's called gratitude. We learn to say, thank you, for these problems and feelings. Thank you for the way things are. I don't like this experience, but thank you anyway.
Force gratitude until it becomes habitual. Gratitude helps us stop trying to control outcomes. It is the key that unlocks positive energy in our life. It is the alchemy that turns problems into blessings, and the unexpected into gifts.
Today, I will be grateful. I will start the process of turning today's pain into tomorrow's joy.
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Easy Does it..Keep It Simple..Let Go and Let God..
Makes me think of that 1st year of not drinking, and how sometimes when things were pretty uncomfortable in that 1st year, I would think to myself, "Boy, all those years I wasted on drinking over almost anything and everything, well NOW, in this first year of feeling so uncomfortable in my own skin, Now I could really Use a Drink!!!!. Knowing that I was committed to not drinking, NO MATTER WHAT, it was a free floating thought. It did not really scare me.
Just made me think of "Some, are sicker than others" I could always figuratively raise my hand when I heard that read at the beginning of the meetings.
Grateful to God that that insane thinking is gone now, one day at a time.
The smallest incident triggered a state of mind that believed I had to have a drink to numb my feelings. But the numbing did not improve the situation, so I sought further escape in the bottle. Today I must be aware of my alcoholism. I cannot afford to believe that I have gained control of my drinking - or again I will think I have gained control of my life. Such a feeling of control is fatal to my recovery.
ROSIE_____ wow, that was me...life woudl send me another "disaster" and i would go get a beer!!! to me?? life didn't bother me so bad when i was high...i just could't face it w/out drinking and numbing out........now??? with healthy program tools, i can face life/ get through it and NO hangover......thanks, hugs, rosie
