Do not be discouraged. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 60
Few experiences are of less value to me than fast sobriety. Too many times discouragement has been the bonus for unrealistic expectations, not to mention self-pity or fatigue from my wanting to change the world by the weekend. Discouragement is a warning signal that I may have wandered across the God line. The secret of fulfilling my potential is in acknowledging my limitations and believing that time is a gift, not a threat.
Hope is the key that unlocks the door of discouragement. The program promises me that if I do not pick up the first drink today, I will always have hope. Having come to believe that I keep what I share, every time I encourage, I receive courage. It is with others that, with the grace of God and the Fellowship of A.A., I trudge the road of happy destiny. May I always remember that the power within me is far greater than any fear before me. May I always have patience, for I am on the right road.
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* We eventually realize that just as the pains of alcoholism had to come before sobriety, emotional turmoil comes before serenity. *
doll__________discouragement has been the bonus for unrealistic expectations, not to mention self-pity or fatigue from my wanting to change the world by the weekend. Discouragement is a warning signal that I may have wandered across the God line. The secret of fulfilling my potential is in acknowledging my limitations and believing that time is a gift, not a threat.
rosie_________oh boy even though i had the RIGHT to **expect** my parents to protect/love/nourish/cherish me, it was still **unrealistic** to expect a drunk and a sociopath to do ANYthing nourishing....once i saw that, i was able to better discharge the feelings of hurt/pain/grief AND closer to completely letting it go over to HP, and off me.... and yeah, i can relate to the self-pity and fatigue from my "frantically" trying to "fix my life" over a short period of time.......now?? i "show up for duty" do all i can for me, and let God run the outcome.....well, i am WILLING to do that lol...still working on the being able to do it w/out LOTS of feelings venting/ prayer/ working the steps/ MAKING me do that..........getting into recovery at 57 to me time was a threat..like an hour glass with the sand mostly at bottom, but i am here, and maybe my fierce will prevented me from being ready yet, to completely belly up and say "i am POWERLESS" now?? i can do it w/out fear of rejection or reproach.....i know i will heal as fast as God knows i can "take it"...like yanking a big bandage off a gaping wound...do it too fast?? and i'll go into shock and perhaps bleed to death.....now i understand why this has to be a PROCESS of PROGRESS........life long!!!!!! gr8 share---i needed this today.........hugs/ rosie
