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Miracles In Progress 12 Step Recovery Forums -> Alcoholics Anonymous -> Alcoholics Anonymous -> Some of us have tried to hold on to our old ideas and the result was nil until we let go absolutely.
Post Info TOPIC: Some of us have tried to hold on to our old ideas and the result was nil until we let go absolutely.
Stepchild


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Some of us have tried to hold on to our old ideas and the result was nil until we let go absolutely.
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This line from How It Works is heard at just about every AA meeting that ever happens.....I think most of them read the start of chapter 5 at the beginning of the meeting. It's a very powerful line.

Pretty much says we got to change our thinking.....If we want any success in this program at all. And if we aren't willing to change it....We don't have much of a chance. I know when I got here....I didn't even know where to start. All I knew was I couldn't live in that pain any more. It was too much for me.

What old ideas did I have to let go of? I knew I was in a position....That I couldn't afford to fail at this. This was all about living or dying for me. It took reading that book...More than once....To point some of them out to me. It took going to meetings and actually listening for what worked for others....Staying after meetings and asking questions from people that had made it.....I discovered a lot of them from finding a sponsor and taking the action required in the steps. This was a major learning process for me....It still is. But I was ready to do whatever it took.

Any old ideas in that fiirst step that had to go?....Yeah...A lot of them. Two that really stand out.

First I learned that I had lost the power of choice in drink...My so-called will power....Was non existent. That's a lot to take into consideration.....My problem isn't drinking....My problem is not having the power to control it or stop entirely. I had to find a power that would help me. That is something that I had never even considered.

I had to smash the idea that one day I'd be able to enjoy and control my drinking. That will never happen.

I also found out my life was unmanageable....And the reason it was....Is because I was managing it. I needed a new manager. The idea that my life was going to get any better with me at the wheel....Had to go. I was driving it into the gutter. And taking everyone around me...with me. Not good.

Any ideas I had to let go of in that second and third step? Yeah..A ton of them....But I'm not going to call them ideas....I'm going to call them prejudices...Do you know what they are?

Prejudice: preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience.

I wasn't going to make it far with the boatload of those that I had.....Had to sink that baby. It was time for me to be reasonable.

Next time you are in a meeting...And you hear that line....Think about it.....the result was nil until we let go absolutely.

So many old ideas....That had to go. What about you?....What old ideas did you have to let go of?...And if you are new at this....Any old ideas you just won't part with? I'd love to hear them.

 

 



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Pythonpappy


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Hey Stepdude, ... My sponsor told me he knew what my problem was ... I asked him, okay, what's my problem ??? ... he said it's your 'think'n' ... I said, what's wrong with my think'n ??? ... he said it's wrong ... I asked just how much of it is wrong ??? ... he said 'all of it' ... ... ... so began the letting go of my old ideas ... damn I struggled to hold onto some of them, but I learned (slowly) that I definitely had to let go ...

When I held on to some of that old stuff, I began to stagnate and 'spoil' like 2 week old milk ... ... ... If I were to make any progress, I had to change my 'think'n' ... ... ... and thanks to God for you guys and others that helped me along this journey ...

 

Pappy



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Stepchild


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From what they tell us Pappy....

Therefore, the main problem of the alcoholic centers in his mind, rather than in his body.

BB pg 23

That looks like the part that needs the most work.



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myownhell


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And to continue: "Selfiishness - self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles. Driven by hundred forms of fear, self-delusion, self-seeking, and self-pity ...."

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Stepchild


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Amen.....MOH.

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StPeteDean


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Hitting bottom with alcohol was only the beginning.

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pinkchip


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My old ideas had to be replaced by the steps. I also had to get pretty humble to admit how clueless I was and how much I needed both human and godly help to learn how to be functional and sober.

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Stepchild


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pinkchip wrote:

I also had to get pretty humble to admit how clueless I was and how much I needed both human and godly help to learn how to be functional and sober.

I think getting honest with myself about my alcoholism was the most humbling experience I've had in my lifetime. It was also the most freeing.



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Hello its me


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Those who do not recover are people who cannot or will not completely give themselves to this simple program...

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CharlieMalone


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Tripoto is social travel platform to share and discover travel experiences, stories, community, tourism guides, hotels, holidays, getaways, attractions seniorthesistopic.com A senior thesis is a large, independent research project that students take on during their senior year of high school or college to fulfill their graduation requirement. For some students, a senior thesis is a requirement for graduating with honors.



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LoneStar


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It took me way too long to accept this fact. Proof of 'you CAN be too DUMB for this program'! I'm so grateful to be living the 'letting go of old ways' way today.
- Blessings of the day

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Constantly praying this : "God, help me deal with my %@#+ed up self." Sober since 7-19-19
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Miracles In Progress 12 Step Recovery Forums -> Alcoholics Anonymous -> Alcoholics Anonymous -> Some of us have tried to hold on to our old ideas and the result was nil until we let go absolutely.