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Post Info TOPIC: That time of year again


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That time of year again
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Just realized something today;


 


Is it just me or is it this time of year that I feel this way,  Guest it's just the fact that Christmas is around the corner and I'm dreading it.  I feel that certain things about christmas has become to comercialized and people get involved in how much material things are.


I'm finding it difficult when it comes to this time of year, do to the past couple of christmas's have went sucked.  I'm very grateful to what I have and well being sober as well,  and my children.  Also being healthy, just wished that Christmas wasn't so comercialized.


Just feeling frustrated is all,  just do to not feeling I have enough to offer my children.  Also, that's where parcrastation comes in.  Kick me now someone. And get me outta this mood,


 



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Tina R


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Hi Tina,

I know how you feel. I don't like this time of the year. For a start the weather is always cold and wet. But, I find that the run-up to Christmas is a very pressured time. Here in the UK, almost every other advert on TV or radio is about Christmas and alcohol and how you can't have a good time without having a drink! I hate it.

(Also, I'll be another year older on 26th December! Now, that's a horrible thought. Guess I can start being miserable and saying “bah! humbugs!” all of the time!)

My best Christmas, as a child, was when my parents couldn't afford to buy me very much. But, the love and laughter that filled the house have given me a memory for life.

But, I'm planning on being sober again this Christmas and that is the very best present that I could ever have!

Take care,

Carol

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Yes...its a rough time of year for a lot of us...


It wasnt that long ago...that I used to think, that I had to buy all this material stuff, to show love at Christmas time...and there was guilt involved, from the past also....


Two years ago..I invited someone in to my home, that had cancer..


Along with 3 grown up kids..we each bought each other something..15 dollar limit..


We all went together and helped with a dinner...


I was told...by kids..and by my freind..that it was the best Christmas they had ever had..and yu know what? It was....


Before that Christmas..I used to spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars....Crazy hu? Trying to buy love....and get rid of guilt through money..


This Christmas its going to be the same....except its going to be Chinese food on Boxing day...and inviting those in...that have no place to go..and are all alone...


Im not religeous..Im spiritual....Dont want to hear about the Bible thumping etc. To each their own...


Christmas...is about giving...and its about giving of ourselves..sharing of ourselves...and doing what we can for others...its about giving with love...How simple can it be...?


And it isnt about what I want....


Ile be driving taxi....for those that need rides..Ile be on this board...and Ile be on the phone to those that have noone...and no place to go...


My grown up kids will be out with their freinds having fun...skating..and skate boarding on the snow covered hills..


We are not alone...we dont hafta be alone...and we dont hafta pick up a drink...


And Carol said it..


The biggest present that we can give those around us is "Sobriety"


Have a nice night


 



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"LOVE" devoid of self-gratification, is in essence, the will, to the greatest good...of another.


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I'm also a december baby, and well guess it goes without saying. lol


Yes I do agree with you both,  Christmas is about givin and being thankful for soberity is a biggy in my books today.


I always give to whom ever is less fortunate than me, and there is someone there who is going threw harder times I am.  Staying sober is what it's all about.  Still find it difficult, without my parents there.  Guess their here in spirit and thankful



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Tina R


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Two years ago..I invited someone in to my home, that had cancer..Along with 3 grown up kids..we each bought each other something..15 dollar limit..We all went together and helped with a dinner...I was told...by kids..and by my freind..that it was the best Christmas they had ever had..and yu know what? It was....


That was very inspirational, Phil.  I'm looking at this holiday season throgh a different lens now.


Mike in Boston



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Ah, Christmas. This will be my second year with no kids at home for the holidays. Because my personal path is different from most, I will be celebrating it earlier than others, as Yule and the Solstice, so I guess I'll be looking differently at it anyway. I would love to find someone in our community to bring home, maybe an elderly person that's alone. You are so good Phil. Too many make a special Holy Day into greed and selfishness for mass marketing, and the money thrown around is really sad. It could do so many good things. I see my friends go into debt that takes them all year to pay off, just to buy presents. We've only been in this town now for about a year and a half, and havent' met much of our community yet, but I think this year we'll make an effort to get out there to the community center and see where we're needed.


The biggest gift in the world is, as Carol and others have said, our sobriety. I know I couldn't ask for more. Thanks for the post, Tina. I've been cruising along not thinking much about it til now. hugs, Chris



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It is a truly spiritual awakening - to realize that alcohol made me understand the meaning of Christmas. And like so many have said... it is about giving. And by far, the best gift we have given (and received) is our sobriety.

I find comfort in knowing that my kids can go to bed, without fear of me busting down their door, or starting a fight. They can... live in peace. Which is... after all "the reason for the season."

As far as December birthdays - they celebrate mine around the world. I used to joke that I could never make it to everyone's home, so please feel free to give my gifts to someone else.

Though Christmas Eve is my biological birthday... the Presence I feel that day transcends physical days. It's another chance and another year of following His footsteps on a journey made just for me...

Merry Christmas to all...
Dave

Creating dreams, from the nightmares of hell...

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"A busy mind is a sick mind.  A slow mind, is a healthy mind.  A still mind, is a divine mind." - Native American Centerness

Creating Dreams, from the nightmares of hell...


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Guess what I'm saying is:


 


I know the reason for giving, is not only givin from the heart.  But just knowing that you've made someelse life a bit brighter,  i'm giving all year round.  Also knowing that we have our health.


Being thankful for what i do have and well knowing that I can get through a special occasion without a drink.


Heard from my aunt today and well it felt good talking to a family member whom supports my program.  Talked about how I felt about christmas,  just want to say happy birthday to those whom celebrate birthday's in December.  Mine's on the 12th of December.


Thank you for all of u whom responded to this topic, feel better. Thanks for the kick in the ass. lol


 


 


hugs


 


 



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Tina R
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