Gratitude thinking vs. Deprivation thinking.

[Doggygirl]

Gratitude thinking vs. Deprivation thinking.

Guitarista;881942 wrote: G'day Prancy,

Freedom, Clarity, Pride.

In these types of situation's, if i am newly af, or resolve is not yet developed enough, i just won't go. OR, if i have to, i negotiate with family/friends/the host, that 'i'll be arriving later, and definately leaving early, so my apologies in advance'...etc. This is what i call my exit plan. We must have one at the ready for such occassion's. If you think you'll be strong enough to get through it af, great, but i've found an exit plan to be a lifesaver many times. This strategy may even have saved my life on occassion. Can you take along a little bag of nut's/dried fruit in yer pocket to nibble on?
The danger here, is of course, if we do have a drink, we risk going back to our old routine/habit, and sadly, we usually will hit the booze even harder than we ever have. This is why for me, we must be absolutely ruthless with our plan, and saying no, or yes to an af drink, and yes gang, i'm going home now.


Best wishes, G.

Excellent post. I am totally with you on the importance of planning, and the importance of an exit strategy wherever possible.

DG

[Guitarista]

Gratitude thinking vs. Deprivation thinking.

This morning i awake, free, rested, and smiling. I am healthy, strong, clear headed, relaxed, quietly energised. There are no chain's binding me. The world, my life, is right here right now in front of me. It is here for the taking. It is my choice, to go for it, or not to go for it. Today is a day off from my new job. A day where anything is truly possible. There is magic in the air around me. How? Why? Where did this magic appear from? How is it that i am thinking in such a positive way?

One reason. I stopped drinking, and i have stayed stopped, for 20 months or so. AND.......loving it.
My current mindset, or headspace, positivity, huge feeling of hope, and expectation, not to mention happiness and freedom, is DIRECTLY linked to being Alcohol free. Not 1 or 2 here and there, no. Alcohol free. It is amazing, indescribable, and worth it! For me, the magic start's to happen immediately on some level, but it will kick in big time, probably after a many months.
So be patient, stick it out, and do the work. Do whatever it is you have to do. Get some ball's, and do it.

Freedom, Clarity, Pride.

[prancy]

Gratitude thinking vs. Deprivation thinking.

To all, I made it through the evening without drinking.
But it wasn't much fun and it sort of depressed me because the focus was so clearly on the drinks - it being a Tiki Bar and all. My husband was just having a grand old time and kept asking me if I was ok.
Are you ok? Are you having a good time? I mean, it was nice to ask but he was asking as he was tossing back tropical after tropical. This is a favorite bar of ours from years and years. I did it. But it really made me question whether I can do it long term and be he nice person I am. I was so pissed at him by the end of the night. Now in several hours we are moving along to the family barbeque with lots of wine and champagne. Oh well, I am taking a watermelon and making watermelon spritzers, which are yummy and the two underage cousins will love them with me. Jeez. This is hard!

[IAD]

Gratitude thinking vs. Deprivation thinking.

G.....Gratitude needs attitude ! Push on to reach your goal ! We all need a little pump to keep us going ! Take care...and keep keeping on ! IAD

[prancy]

Gratitude thinking vs. Deprivation thinking.

Sorry about the whining. Great post guitarista!

[Guitarista]

Gratitude thinking vs. Deprivation thinking.

Well done Prancy! Stick with it. It is very hard in the beginning, has been my experience. Can you not go to the next event? Geez, you've showed up at one, so why not stay away from the other? Of course, i've no idea of the scenario, and it's none of my business, but remember what the stakes are here. You will be no good to anyone, especially yourself, if you take up drinking again, just cause you felt pressured to go to a family event. I'd say family would want you to be healthy, and get yourself 'right' rather than risk your life? We must really be ruthless here, in the early day's, and even hibernate from social events for a couple of months. I had to, and my family are so proud and happy for me now, that i did what i had to do. They won't understand, so we have to lead the way, and say no.

Go for it, and that's a huge achievement!

[Guitarista]

Gratitude thinking vs. Deprivation thinking.

IAD;883667 wrote: G.....Gratitude needs attitude ! Push on to reach your goal ! We all need a little pump to keep us going ! Take care...and keep keeping on ! IAD

Spot on IAD! Attitude indeed.

[wannachange]

Gratitude thinking vs. Deprivation thinking.

YES! I love this post, totally went over my head last week when I read it, now I get.. thank you G!

[prancy]

Gratitude thinking vs. Deprivation thinking.

I wish I could just not go. But this has been a whole week of these activities surrounding a graduation which brought lots of out of town family members home. So I have not just lasted through ONE of these events, so far I have lasted through THREE! So I think I can handle one more. I have my plan and my watermelon spritzers and I am taking my own car so I can leave if I want to. Another thing.....all the drinkers from last night are up and perky and looking forward to another evening. And I woke up with a headache and have had it all day! Now THAT is not fair! I was so looking forward to hearing them all moaning.....

[Guitarista]

Gratitude thinking vs. Deprivation thinking.

prancy;883684 wrote: I wish I could just not go. But this has been a whole week of these activities surrounding a graduation which brought lots of out of town family members home. So I have not just lasted through ONE of these events, so far I have lasted through THREE! So I think I can handle one more. I have my plan and my watermelon spritzers and I am taking my own car so I can leave if I want to. Another thing.....all the drinkers from last night are up and perky and looking forward to another evening. And I woke up with a headache and have had it all day! Now THAT is not fair! I was so looking forward to hearing them all moaning.....

:H

You're a feckin star!

[individualnz]

Gratitude thinking vs. Deprivation thinking.

Prancy, its soo hard, your doing so well and that is dedication. I really want the mind set you have Mr G. Im on day 6 today. I have day off work, I would normally start drinking around about now. I dont know what to do with myself, I have lots to do, dont get me wrong, I just feel completely out of sorts and am just hanging to stop my mind thinking, just one glass is what its saying. Im gonna get out of the house and do some stuff, anything, eat a horse.

I want to learn that type of thinking but at the moment the tunnel is very long and dark!

[IAD]

Gratitude thinking vs. Deprivation thinking.

Individualnz.......Hay some people like Horse meat.....most don't ! Ha! Have you taken any of the Herbals !?! ( Kudzu, Evening Primrose, Milk Thistle, & L-Glutamine ) Take three times a day....for 90 days....then modify....IAD It will help your cravings and your disposition....

[aspman]

Gratitude thinking vs. Deprivation thinking.

i found campral to be my dog send.
or what ever you call it.... it did save my life!

[individualnz]

Gratitude thinking vs. Deprivation thinking.

Hi IAD and Aspman

Yeah I have kudzu and L-Glut but to date they have not done too much, but Im not regular with it and prob not doing it properly. Campral huh, Im thinking of Topa, just waiting for a script, if that does not work I will be on to the Campral as quick as a flash. Tried bac, but really did agree with me! If I could get away with all the natural remedies I most certainly would.

How long has it been for you guys since you last had a drink???

[Guitarista]

Gratitude thinking vs. Deprivation thinking.

individualnz;883709 wrote: Prancy, its soo hard, your doing so well and that is dedication. I really want the mind set you have Mr G. Im on day 6 today. I have day off work, I would normally start drinking around about now. I dont know what to do with myself, I have lots to do, dont get me wrong, I just feel completely out of sorts and am just hanging to stop my mind thinking, just one glass is what its saying. Im gonna get out of the house and do some stuff, anything, eat a horse.

I want to learn that type of thinking but at the moment the tunnel is very long and dark!

G'day Indy,

Great going on day 6. You are right to recognize we've got to work on our thinking, our headspace. And that's hard when all we've got in our head is this voice yelling....go on....have one.
I can only speak from my experience, and for me, i just had to have a vision as to WHY i wanted to stop, write it down, and keep it right at the front of my mind. It all became easier once i'd had enough of the merry go round. What about setting yourself a smaller goal, say, 1 week. This should be less overwhelming, and a little challenging, but also realistic, and achievable. Then, go for 2 week's, then 30 day's etc...?