first day AF in awhile

[prezmustchange]

It's been a few weeks since I was able to manage an AF day. I hope to maintain abstinence for the rest of my life because frankly alcohol is not only killing me, it's robbing me of the energy and ability to live any kind of worthwhile life.
I want to be here for my children.
I live alone and it's been difficult in the past to stay AF when the loneliness has overwhelmed me. It may well be that I will need more help than posting on this message board, helpful though that is, can provide.
Having spent most of my money on booze and having some big bills to pay it's hard to see me being able to afford any supplements or tapes. It worries me a little too that one of the supplements advertised on MWO is a homeopathic remedy but that's a whole other story.
I know I can stay AF with AA help as much as I don't agree with everything AA says they are a local and available source of support. One thing commonly said in AA that I do agree with is taking it one day at a time.
After all I was AF for many years with AA help.
If I can stay sober then I can look into nutritional supplements a little more, at the moment I have B vitamins and Campral.
Anyway I'm thankful for the support and encouragement I've recieved here.
Best wishes to everyone.
prez

[satori]

first day AF in awhile

Hi Prez,

Hope you can achieve your goals!
We are on here because we know that we can't go on the way we have done in the past!

I too am not using any medications or suppliments - just toughing it out - I don't know how I'll get on either - but I'm willing to try it like this for a while - and if it doesn't work, I will start using the other resources available.

Coming here has been a the greatest source of strength for me - although it is early days for me too.

The people on here are fantastic! it is also a good distraction - I come on here when I am craving alcohol, and it gets me through the evening until the beer store closes!

Use this place whatever way works for you.

Best of luck - take care of yourself.

Hey - I see your avatar is a Strat - do you play?
I play and also build electric guitars (I build 'em better than I play em!!!)

Satori

[prezmustchange]

first day AF in awhile

thanks satori,
I've never built a guitar but I've played them for many years.
Hope we both can keep staying AF until the day when we don't even noticed that the beer shop has closed.
prez

[satori]

first day AF in awhile

LOL - I like that - Right now I could probably tell you to the nearest second how long it is till the beer shop closes!

You should give guitar building a go! It is not that difficult to do!

There is something satisfying about playing something you have made yourself.
I also try to recycle wood, so that I limit the damage I'm doing to the environment - The last one I made was made from an old reception desk that my company were replacing.

It was solid 2 inch thick ash - had been 15 years or so as a reception desk - now my son plays it!
I have about another 3 guitar's worth of it in my workshop.

See ya


Satori

[capto]

first day AF in awhile

Prez,

Good job. I posted to you over in Long Term.

You can do it.

Capto

[Popeye]

first day AF in awhile

I wish you well prez.

[Rags]

first day AF in awhile

Hi Prez,
Was at Lake Macquarie over Christmas. nice place.
"I hope to maintain abstinence for the rest of my life because frankly alcohol is not only killing me, it's robbing me of the energy and ability to live any kind of worthwhile life.
I want to be here for my children. "
These seem like pretty good reasons to stay AF. That's pretty much the reason I want to go and stay AF. (Except for the children, don't have any).
If you're referring to the kudzu, I find it works quite well. I splurged out and bought the starter pack, plus Campral. Being by yourself can be hard. I hope that having the support of AA and MWO will help you on that score. I come here in the evenings to help keep me away from booze. It mostly works too.

Hey Sartori, I've been meaning to post you about your avatar..... it looks great , what does it say?
The old desk would have been beautifully seasoned ready for wood work.
I'd love to do a woodworking course. but to do that at technical college you have to be an apprentice. And I'm a bit old for that. I did however hand sand and revarnish some woodwork on a cheap 2nd hand 19ft yacht my husband bought in Nov. Very satisfying. (That's why I was at Lake MQ Prez).
Got to sign off and get to work. Catch you both later.
Rags

[satori]

first day AF in awhile

Hi Rags,

Yes - I find working with wood really satisfying too - I need to spend more time doing that and less time around alcohol!

My Avatar says SATORI



Satori

x

[Rags]

first day AF in awhile

Satori avatar

Ah, Satori,
A guessing game.
Well, I guess Sartori has nothing to do with Suntory, so I eliminate that straight away.
There's no Mac or Mc prefixing it, so I asume it is not your name.
So, please please please tell me what it translates to in English.

Do you have plans to make an acoustic guitar?
Rags

[satori]

first day AF in awhile

Rags,

Satori is a word used in Japanese Zen Buddhism to describe "Enlightenment" .

(see the wikipedia entry below)

Satori (悟 Japanese satori; Chinese: w? - from the verb Satoru) is a Japanese Buddhist term for enlightenment. The word literally means "to understand". It is sometimes loosely used interchangeably with Kensho, but Kensho refers to the first perception of the Buddha-Nature or True-Nature, sometimes referred to as "awakening". Kensho is not a permanent state of enlightenment, but rather a clear glimpse of the true nature of creation. Satori on the other hand refers to "deep" or lasting enlightenment. According to DT Suzuki, "Satori is the raison d'etre of Zen, without which Zen is no Zen. Therefore every contrivance, disciplinary and doctrinal, is directed towards satori."[1] Satori can be found in every moment of life, it is wrapped in all daily activities, its goal to unwrap them to see satori.

As an analogy, we may think of a baby when it first walks. After much effort, it stands upright, finds its balance and walks a few steps (kensho), then falls. After continued effort the child will one day find that it is able to walk all the time (satori).

Once the True-Nature has been seen, it is customary to use satori when referring to the enlightenment of the Buddha and the Patriarchs, as their enlightenment was permanent.
.


I chose it as a username, because

a) I guess after many failed "half attempts" I have finally "seen the light" as far as my drinking goes and now realise that things have to change permanently.

b) I have always been fascinated by eastern philosophy (Zen in particular).


Satori

[satori]

first day AF in awhile

Sorry Rags,

didn't finish my previous post.

No plans to make acoustic guitar at this time - there are too many ideas in my head for weird / radical electrics that I need to get out into 3d.

I maydo at some stage - just because there are different techniques involved that I have not had any experience of yet.


Satori

[Rags]

first day AF in awhile

Dear Sartori,
I checked my Buddhist key words about an hour after I wrote that post. Meant to get back to you.
Sorry I misplaced this thread would you believe. Just by the way, I follow the Theravadin school.

Hey make sure you wear rubber gloves and boots when you play with leccy.
It sounds interesting and intriguing. We'll catch up later on what you're doing.
Rags.