I see a lot of "guests" on this site. A lot more so than members. If you are reading this and that's how you feel...Why not register and talk about it with some people that have been where you are...And found a way out. What's it going to cost you?.....It could cost you a lot more than you think.
Wow, ... Great invitation here Stepman ... ... ... I just may try to clarify, that if you are reading this board, and feel you may have a problem, and do nothing, 'It could cost you a lot more than you think.' ... ... ... to participate in the discussions here only cost you the time it takes to read and respond to it ... ... ...
Try it ... we don't reach through the screen and 'bite' ... well, we may have a couple around that have tried, but they don't stick around too long, LOL ... ... ...
Don't be afraid to get 'well' ... ... ...
Pappy
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
When I was at the end of my drinking Pappy...I didn't know anything about sites like this. Trying to figure this out on my own....And I was getting nowhere fast. I was getting worse. It took me getting thrown into a rehab before I even opened up how bad off I really was. Sometimes just getting it off your chest is a hell of a weight to let go of. I'd be happy if one took us up on the offer...I know when I was at the end of my rope...I think I would have signed up.
Good stuff there Steppa! It still amazes me how powerful FEAR is. It's a corrosive feeling that embedded in all of us to some degree. Pain is what brought me to this site years ago. Unfornately, as an Alcoholic I don't do well with change and change usually is preceded by some sort of pain. The pain is always soiled in fear. Less today in recovery, but still can be very powerful.
Today, I come here because I want too. To learn, grow and carry the message the best I can. I feel like I have friends here. Amazing how the change just happened by showing up and doing my best.
I have read the shares on this site for over a year and never shared anything myself. My thought (or fear) was, what could I possibly say that would be that meaningful.Many of the responses that I read are so much more eloquent than what I could come up with. Yet, shared conversation is really the best problem solver I can think of. That is, once I get over the fear, ego and pride of what I'm saying/writing may not be up to my expectations or someone may disagree. So, hop on the bus, take a chance. If you are hurting, let's talk. Everyone on this site ha been there.
Fear has a lot to do with it Jimmyjam....You know what the biggest fear I had was? I didn't think it was possible for me to live without alcohol. I couldn't even imagine it. It was all I knew. Boy was I wrong on that one. I just needed to learn how.
JJ,, you combat fear with faith. What ever you have to say will always help someone. No need to be eloquent. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help others to achieve sobriety. We help others by sharing our experience, strength and hope.
Just by posting what you did you may have helped others who feel the same way you do and that is meaningful. No need for eloquence. We are all alcoholics just trying to get and stay sober and I sure didn't look very eloquent downing drink after drink, slurring words and vomiting all over the place.
Grateful,, If it's any consolation I thought you looked eloquent when you were doing that. Lol. But when I did the same thing somehow everyone didn't see it as eloquent. Damn lite weights.
I don't think being eloquent has anything to do with it. No matter what backgrounds, stories, religious beliefs, morals or even how far we had to go down to find a bottom goes....We all have two things in common. We suffer from an illness that if we continue to deny it....will kill us. And we have a solution that we can absolutely agree on. Which the original members of this program were kind enough to put the directions for into a book.
If you would have told me I could solve my problem by following the directions in some book while I was still in denial...I would have told you that you were fricken nuts. But when I got to the point I couldn't deny it anymore....Because I was looking at death...Squarely in the face. I read it and reread it....And reread it. Going to a meeting and seeing the proof in the pudding....That it actually worked for people....was all I needed.
I had exhausted every other method of quitting....Maybe I should try this. I mean...Give it my all.
I have a friend that told me a story when I was fairly new in AA ...That kind of put this program into perspective for me. He told me when he came to AA he was broken....beaten....useless and worthless. Boy could I relate to that. I think that was the most painfull feeling I had....How useless I was. He said he was two days dry...And a guy at meeting...Who became his sponsor...Told him to go over and greet a newcomer that was coming in...To say hello to him. He said..."I'm two days sober...What the hell do I have to offer him?" The guy said...."That's two more days than that guy has. Tell him how you did it."
He said the next day the guy he welcomed came back....It changed his whole feeling about himself. He did something useful. That's what this whole program is about. Doing something useful.
