open your mind

[gyco]

we all write and read, a lot,but do we really read,what we write,were all struggling,grasping for air,,life is a struggle,and a gift,more for some then others,we have to embrace the moment,im not gonna apoligise if this offends,but thats what im finding lately,think and read , what you write,we have an addiction,not the outside world, US, gycos feelings

[mario]

open your mind

well gyco i always read what i write but sometimes cant find the words to express my opinions,lack of schooling i guess. but i do think that the majority of people here write to help others or to seek help,

[gyco]

open your mind

thnx mario ,and thts a big thanx, i guess im down a bit,but there is a time in ones life , and you and i ,are a good xample , you have two paths maybe more , we know, choice,do i touch the fire,or do i run gyco

[mario]

open your mind

I think the choices that we have gyco are do we drink or not drink,my choice is that i do not drink,i think that is yours is well ?

[gyco]

open your mind

thnx mario just wanted to see what some had to say,you are a very special person,you no the old saying weve come a long way baby hahahha

[hippie37]

open your mind

I think people here are trying to tackle that addiction on many different levels Gyco. Some I see as completely pointless in my view, but each to their own! We're all entitled to our opinions. I think maybe some feel if they tackle their problems in the outside world first, this will in due course allow them to feel less stressful and do something about their drinking. Apple-cart and horse comes to mind!!

But the idea of bringing the outside world into this community can only be a good thing I think. In order to live in the real world I need to see it from the perspective of other alcoholics/addicts. That's why I go to AA meetings. It is a safe place where I don't feel threatened by explaining how I feel or how my behaviour is getting me into trouble in the real world. Whereas I use meetings, others may see this forum as their safe haven to express themselves. A lot post here maybe as a way of hiding from the real world, who knows! As long as people are being honest and have a real desire to do something about their addiction then BRING IT ON! I'll gladly help by sharing my own experiences as openly and honestly as I can. I'm not here to tell people what they should be or shouldn't be doing. That is controlling and egotistical and takes away from the person their self worth. NOT GOOD! There is nothing more infuriating than somebody trying to tell an alcoholic what they SHOULD or SHOULDN'T be doing!

I've learned a lot from this community and how I've interacted with people in the past. So I'm damned if I'm gonna back to that way of people pleasing here.

Thanks for your post Gyco. Have a great day my friend.

Love and Light
Phil
xx

[AAthlete]

open your mind

Phil, I agree with you that everyone is entitled to their own opinion and have to find what really works for them. I know when I finally achieved true sobriety, I wanted to scream from the top of the mountain about what I had found and how I went about doing it. But my way truly is my way - I can't force what worked for me onto anyone else (and even if I did it most likely wouldn't turn out the same way).

The key is to approach everything with an open mind and then DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, in my opinion. People can be cynical all the want about a prescribed method of treatment, but unless they've tried it who are they (or me) to judge? Even then, just because it didn't work for one person doesn't mean it won't work for another. If it is one thing that we alcoholics have shown time and time again it is that we like things done our way, right? But you can't get better if you don't work at it. Simply showing up and signing in isn't going to cut it - you have to put a plan (whatever it is) in place and then work it. Reminds me of a movie quote: "Either get busy living, or get busy dying."

Gyco, thanks for starting this post - it is good food for thought.

[dancelot]

open your mind

AAthlete;735780 wrote: Phil, I agree with you that everyone is entitled to their own opinion and have to find what really works for them. I know when I finally achieved true sobriety, I wanted to scream from the top of the mountain about what I had found and how I went about doing it. But my way truly is my way - I can't force what worked for me onto anyone else (and even if I did it most likely wouldn't turn out the same way).

The key is to approach everything with an open mind and then DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, in my opinion. People can be cynical all the want about a prescribed method of treatment, but unless they've tried it who are they (or me) to judge? Even then, just because it didn't work for one person doesn't mean it won't work for another. If it is one thing that we alcoholics have shown time and time again it is that we like things done our way, right? But you can't get better if you don't work at it. Simply showing up and signing in isn't going to cut it - you have to put a plan (whatever it is) in place and then work it. Reminds me of a movie quote: "Either get busy living, or get busy dying."

Gyco, thanks for starting this post - it is good food for thought.

I always reread what I write, and any "advice" is my opinion, observation, or something that worked well for me. It is not meant to be condescending or "bragging" about how successful I've been getting sober. If one person finds it helpful, it was worthwhile (sometimes I do sound like my mother though - guess I should have listened to her).

I also believe we each are the only ones responsible for what we choose to do or not do. I think everyone here does want to get better. We are all at different stages in life and/or mindset, and that combined with how much hold our addiction has over us are the variables. I do see in some of our "older folks" a little more seriousness maybe, but then we've lived longer, seen more, and the concept of our own mortality is a lot more real. I think this played a huge role in my own desire and commitment to be AF. I realized there may not be another chance, like what you say AAAthlete about living or dying.

For what it's worth, I learn a lot from posts that show "what not to do", I mean ones that that's not even the point. Sometimes it's very telling when you realize you too are living that point of view, but don't see it until someone else complains about it, and you think, "what would I do", then go, "oh, I do that too", so then realize I better follow my own advice.

Mario, I like how you can put very profound and wise thoughts into just a few words - I wish I could.

Great thought provoking thread, gyco.