In A.A. we aim not only for sobriety - we try again to become citizens of the world that we rejected, and of the world that once rejected us. This is the ultimate demonstration toward which Twelfth Step work is the first but not the final step. AS BILL SEES IT, p. 21
The old line says, "Suit up and show up." That action is so important that I like to think of it as my motto. I can choose each day to suit up and show up, or not. Showing up at meetings starts me toward feeling a part of that meeting, I can talk with newcomers, and I can share my experience; that's what credibility, honesty, and courtesy really are. Suiting up and showing up are the concrete actions I take in my ongoing return to normal living.
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* We eventually realize that just as the pains of alcoholism had to come before sobriety, emotional turmoil comes before serenity. *
wow... that post is so relevant to us right now! Sometimes I have to make myself go, like I used to have to make myself go to school, or to work, or get up and feed the baby when he was crying at night. But once I do it, I'm usually glad, cuz I try to pitch in and even the times when I don't feel like there was much going for me, to know that someone else benefitted from my share, and that I did care enough to make myself go, does benefit me too. Another similar expression is '90% of it is showing up'.
thanks Doll,
amanda
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do your best and God does the rest, a step at a time
If panic strikes, we do not have to allow it to control our behaviors. Behaviors controlled by panic tend to be self-defeating. No matter what the situation or circumstance, panic is usually not a good foundation. No matter what the situation or circumstance, we usually have at least a moment to breathe deeply and restore our serenity and peace.
We don't have to do more than we can reasonably do - ever! We don't have to do something we absolutely cannot do or cannot learn to do!
This program, this healthy way of life we are seeking, is built on a foundation of peace and quiet confidence - in ourselves, in our Higher Power, in the recovery process.
Do not panic. That takes us away from the path. Relax. Breathe deeply. Let peace flow through our body and mind. From this base, our Source shall supply the necessary resources.
Today, I will treat panic as a separate issue that needs immediate attention. I will refuse to allow panicky thoughts and feelings to motivate me. Instead, I will let peace and trust motivate my feelings, thoughts, and behaviors.
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Easy Does it..Keep It Simple..Let Go and Let God..
Thanks Doll, Suit up and show up was a saying that helped me so much when I first came into the program, because as an alcoholic, and an adult child of an alcoholic I was the queen of isolation. I still have to remind myself to a part of even when I'm in the midst of a group of people.
Last night at Birthday night, I got to hand out the tokens,I got to hug a man who I've watched struggle with this program for 3 years get his 1 year token, but it was just as sweet to hug the young lady who has 3 weeks sober as I handed her a desire chip, and her boyfriend who got a 2 month token.And then there was the man who was just passing through town,who was making his 90 meetings in 90 days and it was like we had known each other forever, he got his 2 month chip in small town TX, and he's from a city back East. Wow, AA is truly a miracle , and so are each and everyone of us who work the program one day at a time.Thanks for being here!
