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Post Info TOPIC: Long Term Sobriety---Keeping it Fresh


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Long Term Sobriety---Keeping it Fresh
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As a member since 4/98, I am wondering how y'all keep your long term sobriety fresh.  after 6 1/2 years I went out for 3 months in '03.  I recommited myself and recently celebrated my 11 year anniversary on 2/20 this year.  I am trying to reignite my program and having a hard time of it. Meetings are getting further and further apart.  Isolation is creeping back in... I even attended a weekend conference and showed up to only 2 speakers...Please share with me how you keep it fresh.

In sobriety,

Lisa K.



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mama krall


MIP Old Timer

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Work with a newcomer and help them go through the 12 steps. Works great for me.



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Keep it simple. Stay the course. Give thanks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wue34ddAz9w&feature=youtu.be



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Close friend of Bill W. since 1989

 



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Getting involved and not isolating too much, reading the Grapevine magazine and the success stories of others and never forgetting where I could be if I wasn't in the program. I also like the statement, "helping the newcomer". Best wishes, Jerricka

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MIP Old Timer

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Welcome to MIP Mama, ... We're happy to have you here ...

I'm in that 7 yr range and have just completed cancer treatment ... when time and other commitments started eating into my meeting times, I got more active here, on MIP ... I've made some life-long friends and I am 'long-distance' sponsoring a few that prefer it that way (not the ideal method of sponsoring, but better than noth'n) ...

This alternative to regular meetings has worked for me ... don't know that it would work for everyone ... face-to-face meeting are extremely important in my opinion, and should be attended if at all possible ...

To keep it fresh??? ... I agree, keep sponsoring new-comers ... they are all a little different and they keep you on your toes ...


Love you and God Bless,
Pappy



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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'



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I wish I had long term sobriety, but I have learned some things from going to quite a few meetings, those that are involved and excited about recovery, tend to stay that way. Every new year (this will be the 6th) I make a huge commitment to my sobriety, which has been pretty different each year. Sometimes jail commitments, booker, gsr, beginners mtg., something that will be longer than 1 month and really keeps me involved. I recently took a 12 week chair commitment where I do a little more than just chair. You setup, make coffee, chair, and speak to start off the meeting. It has done wonders for my sobriety......If you are in the way of your sobriety, it will not have a chance to grow.

 

God bless and keep it positive....



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Pauly


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Wow - you've had a lot of days here on Earth. It's refreshing for me to see people live long healthy lives - get to know them... get to know some who don't get so many... peace xoxoxox

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Thanks for everything.  Peace and Love on your journey.  



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Welcome to MIP Pauly, ... glad to have you join us ...

I particularly like your web site name ... it describes the very purpose of our AA program ... or rather, a key ingredient ...

Looking forward to your ESH to help others visiting this site ... keep in mind, they are from around the world and are from every culture imaginable ...


Love ya man and God Bless,
Pappy



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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'



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It seems to me that you lost your attitude of Gratitude just for being sober...This is a SPIRITUAL thing and that could happen...Chances are other things have become more important than the priority of your sobriety which MUST come first..Read the Doctors story in back of the big book...what impressed me in that story was his "apathy to things"...He even degraded the importance of his wife and family.."Its a spiritual illness... As the Rightest Brothers would chant "You Lost That Loving Feeling" Gone...Gone...Gone...you must be ever vigilent...ever green"....Might I add what step are you working?.Are you working ANY of the 12 steps in your life...Your daily regimin as of mine should be upon rising...with first cup of coffee in the morning stillness...the Daily message in the 24 hr book...the message in Daily Reflections book...and then I open at random a thought from as Bill sees It.."It makes the coffee taste better"..

I do this EVERY DAY...NO EXCUSE...I have NOT been to a meeting in over 4 years..WHY?...THERE ARE NONE..but still very close to AA and its program and grateful EVERY day for my sobriety...just for today

I have been sober over 41 years...since my first meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous...and grateful for the happy and wonderful life I have...and particularly my health...80% of the people in the US cannot do one pull up on a chinning bar...I regularly do 8 in my workout in the gym at 72... Both Manny Pecquaio and I work the big bag regularly...we wear the same gloves in training for the upcoming main event...that's my attitude....stay in shape physically,mentally and spiritually.


My Sobriety is contingent on my Spiritual Well Being Just for Today



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MIP Old Timer

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Hey Amigo, ... Just wanted to say I loved your post ... Well said ...

Pappy



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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'



MIP Old Timer

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G'day Lisa . I Reckon Paul has nailed it .

You be of service & You GIVE What was freely given to You .

I Believe each of us has something New to offer . Yep even a newcomer

can give an oldtimer something . Sometimes all we can give is Hope .

Hey Pauly . Be careful what you ask/pray for .

Besides if you were 30yrs sober . Ya Gunna be 30yrs older.



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Rick.

@ 37 I was too young & good looking to be an alkie.

still too young , still got th good looks. still n alkie.



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Amigo wrote:

...I have NOT been to a meeting in over 4 years..WHY?...THERE ARE NONE..but still very close to AA and its program and grateful EVERY day for my sobriety...just for today

I have been sober over 41 years...since my first meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous...and grateful for the happy and wonderful life I have..


 This is always interesting. Over the years I have heard that some longtimers eventually get to a stage in the AA program where they attend very few meetings, sometimes even zero meetings.

I know that there are longtime members here on this forum with many, many years of sobriety but go to only one meeting a month, or even less. They have shared their experience, strength and hope.

It can be OK, depending on the actual reasons for nonattendance. The average number of AA meetings we attend is 2.6 per week. But, after all, meetings are but suggested in AA. There are no requirements in the Big Book or in the AA program -- either for newcomers or longtimers.

People have worked the AA program successfully without many meetings. Or any meetings.

 



-- Edited by Tanin on Saturday 28th of March 2015 08:05:06 AM

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My sponsor told me to go to meetings in the beginning until i wanted to go to meetings.

After that to keep going to the meetings for the newcomers so I can be there for them as the oldtimers were there for me.

If I come and get what I need and not stay to give back I haven't come far ....

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Close friend of Bill W. since 1989

 



MIP Old Timer

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2granddaughters wrote:

... to keep going to the meetings for the newcomers so I can be there for them as the oldtimers were there for me.

If I come and get what I need and not stay to give back I haven't come far ....


 I dunno, 41 years sobriety is pretty far.

Longer than Bill W.



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First, deal with the things that might kill you.

 



Veteran Member

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25 years ago I was in the Persian Gulf War...THERE WASN"T ANY MEETINGS There are places in the world you will find where there are NOT any meetings; that is sure NOT an excuse for picking up a drink..If you find yourself in that situation and if you believe as I do over the past 41 years to ask for help from your higher power...Thr GOD of your understanding will help you make the correct choice and NOT pick up

Interesting enough,after one year without a meeting during the war,.when I returned, I found myself NEEDING meetings and got back to my regular schedule.

My philosophy is this, ie derived from MUCH EXPERIENCE, You go to a meeting less you have a legitimate reason for not going...Get It!

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MIP Old Timer

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Amigo wrote:

25 years ago I was in the Persian Gulf War...THERE WASN"T ANY MEETINGS There are places in the world you will find where there are NOT any meetings;


Where are you stationed now, Amigo?
Amigo wrote:

...I have NOT been to a meeting in over 4 years..WHY?...THERE ARE NONE...


 



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First, deal with the things that might kill you.

 

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