Just wanted to say welcome to this forum to all the new people.
This is my 4th go around with this program. The main thing that I've learned through out this bout with trying to stay sober is that I absolutely have to work the steps. There are no if's and's or but's about it. Without a sponsor guiding me through these steps I am lost. Meetings aren't enough. This board isn't enough. Meetings combined with this board is not enough to keep this alcoholic sober! The steps combined with the meetings and this awesome support network here on Miracles in Progress, along with my sponsor have given me a new outlook on life. I never did think it was possible to feel like I do. I thought it was normal to go about life feeling depressed and isolating myself from people that love me and trying to escape reality at every chance.
Needless to say I don't have to escape reality today. Life is good. I have no control over most of what happens to me in life. All I can do is try to achieve things that come to people without problems of addiction normally. A.A. constantly teaches me new 'life skills'. How do I deal with this situation without drinking? Better yet, how do I deal with this situation without acting like a complete imbecile? I'm good at that! LOL. That is what this wonderful program is for. It teaches me new ways to deal with life following the principles of this program laid down to us in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. The answers are there. All I have to do is try my best to be open-minded, willing, and honest. These three things allow me to be teachable today. Seems like the more I learn, the less I know! I kinda like that!
Hope this helps someone. The weekend is almost here. Hope you all have a good, sober week!
It's funny, it took me 41 years to realize that I've been living depressed. If it's just a way of life and I grew up in an alcoholic family, I thought it was normal to feel inferior to everyone in the world. That I didn't deserve serenity or happiness. Boy, was I wrong!
Thanks for a great post. This is my second time in AA and I feel is getting better now.
I agree with everything that you said about needing face-to-face meetings and the importance of working the steps and having a sponsor. I know that I have no hope of staying sober if I don't work the steps and keep in touch with my sponsor. Face to face meetings are so important to me and help to keep me focussed. I always gain so much inspiration from other people and knowing that I am not on my own with alcoholism is always a wonderful relief.
When I have relapsed I have really worked at identifying what triggered it for me and doing my level best to avoid situations like that again. I am growing stronger and it feels great.
Have a great day.
Take care,
Carol
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~Dr. Seuss
Hello Justin. Thank you for the warm welcome. I am new here. so thank you for maing me feel welcomed.
I appreciate your post. It makes alot of since to me. This isn't my first go around, I am a retread. But there is one thing that kept me coming back and that was the third tradition. and it states; The only requirement for membership is a DESIRE. and that I have.. Have a wonderful 24 my friend. Cody
Thanks for this Post, and I DITTO, DITTO, DITTO that warm welcome to all the new people here, you make this Forum come So Alive. Thank you for coming in here and being Part of Us.
