First I started with just a few minutes at a time on this board, and it kept increasing and now I am at two hours at a time...just reading posts, responding to some. Lots of learning here! I have a noon AA meeting and guys and gals, I love this board so much I just cannot get enough! After my meeting, I'll have to get some work done so I can make a living! Been in a rut for so long and work for myself, and although I have been sober, I haven't been very motivated for some reason, but will need to get my act together because gotta pay the bills! But look forward to coming back here this evening and catching up.
-- Edited by betterthanyesterday52 on Wednesday 16th of October 2013 08:50:05 AM
This board can rocket you into enlightenment yes ; ) I was/am the same. Hungry for knowledge and experience - I found it here! This family of choice saved my life. My collaborative sponsor during troubled times. There are people so special to me on this board that I am aware that love does not require beauty, money, fancy cars, social status, rank in the rooms etc etc etc. We know almost nothing of each other here like that - yet we know everything that matters to the heart. When I came here I wondered if I was capable of truly loving. I thought maybe my heart was solid coal - but as I healed - I realized that it was a disease that took my freedom to love in a healthy way - away - long before I even took a drink. That same disease started shaping me before I was even 1 day old.
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Thanks for everything. Peace and Love on your journey.
(((MIP))) Gonee says it simply for me...I got into AA because the thought of relapse terrorized me. Hanging with people in recovery and listening to their awarenesses and wisdom and experiences again for me is the very best insurance against being snatched by our disease during a moment of forgetfullness. I've learned alot about our disease...a whole lot and the more I learn the more I respect it. I no longer have the innate bravado I use to have regarding boozing. Been there and don't do that anymore thanks to MIP and my local meetings and literature and ...etc.
This board can rocket you into enlightenment yes ; ) I was/am the same. Hungry for knowledge and experience - I found it here! This family of choice saved my life. My collaborative sponsor during troubled times. There are people so special to me on this board that I am aware that love does not require beauty, money, fancy cars, social status, rank in the rooms etc etc etc. We know almost nothing of each other here like that - yet we know everything that matters to the heart. When I came here I wondered if I was capable of truly loving. I thought maybe my heart was solid coal - but as I healed - I realized that it was a disease that took my freedom to love in a healthy way - away - long before I even took a drink. That same disease started shaping me before I was even 1 day old.
I came here for much of the same reasons. While sitting at my desk during lunch (if not at a lunchtime meeting)........instead of looking through Facebook, I decided to do something constructive, see how others are living their lives in recovery. Recovery is paramount in my life right now being new to sobriety. Nothing else matters (making a paycheck is a close second ;))!! I have not been here long and I know none of you personally, but we all share one thing........we have a horrible disease that if not treated could one day take our lives. Thanks to ALL who post in this forum!!
Great thread going here ... I see a lot of 'putting sobriety 1st' here ... else if we don't, there will be no job to work at, nor family to hold on to ... good post BTY ... good post
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
"one thing I find Better than a meeting . That when I read something that makes me take notice ,
I can read it over again , until I get an understanding of it , or what the writer is trying to portray . If it is spoken ,
we don't get to get an instant replay . "
That is exactly the way it is with me. My memory is not the best and I don't remember as much of the sharing at meetings. On this board, I can read, re-read and it is just great! If there are no meetings to go to I can come here 24/7 and read posts, get help and perhaps help someone. This is a great and healthy "addiction" to have. I know a few days ago, when I was going through a trial, test or whatever it is called...ok I will just go ahead and say it, I was afraid I would drink, I came here and posted and was amazed at the responses which really helped me get through that time and I am greatly appreciative. I have learned a lot too, stepchild, and yes, it is a great group of people...and as you have seen some of my postings...I don't have to get paranoid I am getting "snubbed" or "stared at with daggers" (LOL, have to laugh at myself because I am looking forward to when I work the steps and things like that don't bother me anymore :) and speaking of laughing... Pappy, love your posts and wish I could read all of them, as you have the gift to add humor along with experience and insight, which I truly appreciate. Said I wasn't going to feel "love" anymore for anyone after getting hurt in so much in the past, but oh well, I really love you people, just can't help myself, darn it all!
-- Edited by betterthanyesterday52 on Thursday 17th of October 2013 05:02:16 AM
For me, humor and love are very much a part of the healing process ... I guess I looked at it as 'why stay sober' if I didn't enjoy it ??? kinda a thing ... and I sure as heck don't miss the extreme physical and mental pain that was a 'by-product' of my drinking habits ... sober is way better ... But you know ??? ... early in my sobriety, I found no humor in the jokes I sometimes heard at meetings, this was serious stuff to me then, and still is ... but my sponsor told me to lighten up and not take the jokes nor myself too damn seriously because NOBODY else does ... ... ...
When I was able to laugh again, wow, I knew the program was working for me, I was changing into that person I really wanted to be and leaving that old depressed 'sad sack' of my old self out in the cold ... Oh man, what a feeling it is to begin to love life again, ain't it ? ... ... ...
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
I know what you mean Pappy, about not laughing much. I too had trouble laughing at jokes at the meetings at first and still don't at some of them, because some of them aren't all that funny to me, but most are and I have learned not to take them too seriously either. It is starting to feel better for me and to enjoy and appreciate life again.
Hi Betterthanyesterday!! Glad you're here and getting a lot out this MIP Board. I do as well. However, always remember that it's the 12 Steps that cause sobriety. It's pretty tough staying sober on Fellowship all by itself. Keep coming back and keep sharing with us. Blessings, Mike D.
