DECEMBER 27, 2009 - WORDS OF WISDOM (22)

ANGER

From the book: Seek Sobriety – Find Serenity, by Abraham Twerski

A gentleman who was admitted for rehabilitation from alcoholism was so angry that other residents were afraid of him. On the initial interview, it was evident that this man was struggling to avoid crying. In the privacy of my office I said to him:

“It’s okay to cry when you’re hurt; I promise I won’t tell anyone that you cried.”

He promptly broke down in uncontrollable sobbing.

T… Continue

So, as I was screwing around on here, I've noticed that there are a lot of people in their first year on here. I don't know why, but it's great that you're trying everything to "get this". Recovery is hard. It's not a lot of fun if you are new. It's awkward, and painful, and exhausting, if you do it right. You actually have to look at yourself, your past behavior, and the wreckage you've left behind you. It pretty much sucks, a lot. None of us grow up wishing to someday be an alcoholic or addict… Continue

Never did she say I'd turn out to be a drunk. Only 39 days sober.. Maybe I'm rushing it like everything else. Got a good job. Due to my past and decisions I may already lose the job with benefits and 500.00 a week which right now is great money!!!!!!!! Christmas eve. I got bit by a Parrott, My finger, rushed me to a clinic and for Insurance purposes tested me for drugs. Needless to say I swiftly told my employer it may be dirty... They will wait until it comes back if it is dirty I am termed., i… Continue

Twenty-Four Hours a Day
Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009

Thought for the Day
I need the AA principles for the development of the buried life within me, that good life which I had misplaced but which I found again in this fellowship. This life within me is developing slowly but surely, with many setbacks, many mistakes, many failures, but still developing. As long as I stick close to AA, my life will go on developing, and I cannot yet know what it will be, but I know that it will be good. That's all I want… Continue

A Day at a Time
Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009

Reflection for the Day
"The central characteristic of the spiritual experience," wrote AA co-founder Bill W., "is that it gives the recipient a new and better motivation out of all proportion to any process or discipline, belief or faith. These experiences cannot make us whole at once; they are a rebirth to a fresh and certain opportunity."

Do I see my assets as God's gifts, which have been in part matched by an increasing willingness on my part to find an… Continue

The Eye Opener
Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009

The average person has so much trouble in finding a satisfactory faith simply because the mind has difficulty visualizing a force so powerful as anthying but a very complex thing. He thinks he must understand it in order to acquire it and use it.

When we eat a meal, we believe that we shall digest it and that we will be strengthened and sustained by it. Yet few of us know the mysteries of the digestive functions, but we get just as much sustenance from our… Continue

Just for today, if I have imposed emotional distance between myself and other people or social gatherings, I will begin to bridge the distance with hope, confidence, faith and a belief that I must not continue in self-imposed barriers. Whether the distance I may have developed is because of fear of rejection, insecurity with myself or simple shyness, in trying NOT to be the center of focus I may actually be focusing notice - and not a flattering focus - on myself. Worse, I may actually intend in… Continue

AA Thought for the Day
(courtesy AAOnline.net)
Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009

Providence
Already a willingness has been achieved
to cast out one's own will and one's own ideas about the alcohol problem
in favor of those suggested by AA.
Now if this is not turning one's will and life over to a new-found "Providence,"
then what is it?
- As Bill Sees It, p. 328

Thought to Ponder ...
The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us.

AA-related 'Alconym' ...
W H O = Willingness, Honesty, Open-… Continue

I fit in that category; never thought I'd ever EVER go to an AA meeting. It was made easy back in July this year.... I was in rehab and FORCED to go. Spent 90 days, and being you are attending with the "troops", it became easy. In fact, I looked forward to them. I told myself it was only because the other 23 hours of the day were rehab rehab rehab. On day 91 I moved to an Oxford House. This is important for many reasons. First, the rehab was in southern NJ, 2 hours from my main "stomping ground"… Continue

I have a little over 2 years. I have a small core of friends that I do most of my fellowshipping with. Me and 2 of the guys have hung out since I had 3 days. One of them has relapsed, but keeps coming back. He'll put 30 days together, but ends up blowing it. He has an amazing sponsor, and a huge group of people that tell him daily they love him. He goes to meetings, he works the steps, at one point, he was a GSR. But, he lets things in his life get to him, and goes and takes his Fukitol pill, an… Continue

well christmas is done and overwith, first time in three years to be with family, not only was i sober i did feel thankful, and also i feel like i have more hope than ever, the past two months have been very hard and just a roller coaster but i have been giving a chance to be part of the family again and even though that dam disease keeps putting things in my thoughts throughout the day and night i am going to beat this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i just joined this group and i like to say thank you to al… Continue

I was told early on in my recovery, that what we get out of the steps may differ, according to our personal experience, yet what remain the same is the spiritual principals that's imbedded in them. Working with my sponsor, who had made it clear, that my life would change as my spiritual conditioning increase. And as a person who undoubtabaly need a change, I brought in to that concept..It wasn't hard for me to admit that drugs and alcohol had become a destructive force in my life, after spending… Continue

Alcoholics Anonymous - Fourth Edition

Chapter 10 - To Employers

It is not to be expected that an alcoholic employee will receive a disproportionate amount of time and attention. He should not be made a favorite. The right kind of man, the kind who recovers, will not want this sort of thing. He will not impose.… Continue

All Twelve Steps, Three at a Time 4-6 12/24/09

4. Often people talk about dreading the fourth step, fearing it, putting it off, dragging it out, approaching it piecemeal. Something happened to me in the taking of the 3rd step that enabled my 4th to be as searching and fearless as it was directed to be. I did not experience the trepidation that I half expected to occur, and that many others clearly experienced. I was well-aware of my moral inventory, and essentially it was a great relief to get… Continue

Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009
Today's thought from Hazelden is:

Fear No More
I will not fear those who have hurt me,
For You have given me power.
I shall sleep without nightmares;
You have given me peace.
I shall awaken with a clear and rested mind;
You have given me clarity.
I shall start my day happy, joyous, and free;
You have given me my recovery;
You have given me a new life.
For Your grace,
I will demonstrate my gratitude
In useful and positive action
Throughout this day.

Rrom the book:
The 12… Continue

Good morning everyone just wanted to share a small x-mas gratitude list..
1. feeling the presence of my higher power working miracles-daily.
2. having dinner with family.
3. playing a board game with my stepdaughter and brother.
4. fairly good health in family.
5. seeing so many sober faces in the meetings at this time of year.
6. being able to say i love you to my parents---and remembering (LOL).
7. for all the food that i ate.
8. having this site to share these wonderful blessings.
9. waking u… Continue

I have learned to keep my mouth shut, and not cause damage. I was treated rudely by an old-timer yesterday. They said some pretty hurtful things, and I didn't retaliate. My sponsor was there, and was pretty pissed by what this person was saying, but she didn't engage, either. It was awesome. I've really learned to practice our principles, in all my affairs. I thank God every day, and ask for his help in directing my thinking, actions, and words. I have to pray constantly for the strength to trea… Continue

DECEMBER 26, 2009

WORDS OF WISDOM (21) - OUR ANIMAL INSTINCTS

From the book: Seek Sobriety – Find Serenity, by Abraham Twerski

A gentleman in recovery said:

“My ego cries for perfection, but honesty tells me that I am a human being, not an angel; that being a human being is not so terrible, and that it’s okay to be - half child of God and half S.O.B.”

We are comprised of flesh and blood. We have virtually all the impulses, drives, and desires that animals have, including greed, hostility, a… Continue

Twenty-Four Hours a Day
Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009

Thought for the Day
I am glad to be a part of AA, of that great fellowship that is spreading over the United States and all over the world. I am only one of the many AAs, but I am one. I am grateful to be living at this time, when I can help AA to grow, when it needs me to put my shoulder to the wheel and help keep the movement going. I am glad to be able to be useful, to have a reason for living, a purpose in life. I want to lose my life in this… Continue

A Day at a Time
Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009

Reflection for the Day
None of us can claim to know God in all His fullness. None of us can really claim to understand our Higher Power to any extent. But this I do know: there is a Power beyond my human will which can do wonderful, loving things for me that I can't do for myself. I see this glorious power at work in my own being, and I see the miraculous results of this same power in the lives of thousands upon thousands of other recovering people who ar… Continue