AAthlete's Opus (loosely defined)...

[Breez]

AAthlete's Opus (loosely defined)...

Very well said. Being AF is not for sissies. It is a commitment-mind, body & soul. Nothing will change if you don't change it. You just have to want it badly enough. The mapwork is there, the provisions & tools are provided, you just have to be willing to go the journey. Good luck on your journey my friend!

[Arial]

AAthlete's Opus (loosely defined)...

What a wonderful reflection, AA - your thoughts about your life, hopes, dreams and ultimately your decision to really put this behind you is heartwarming and inspirational. You seem set to become the person you long to be and your future is beckoning ...

Take care of yourself and your family - you're a special person deserve to achieve the happiness and life that you are prepared to fight so hard for now - you're right - it takes heart, soul and mind to combat this - Good luck on your continued journey - it is a privilege to be a small part of it.

:l

[tawnyfrog]

AAthlete's Opus (loosely defined)...

This gets my 'Post of the Week' award.

Thank you, AA.

"May the road rise with you, and the wind be always at your back."

[pixie]

AAthlete's Opus (loosely defined)...

AA, thanks for that post. Your determination is evident. I don't think you need it, but good luck to you, and best wishes!

pixie

[Beaches]

AAthlete's Opus (loosely defined)...

That was wonderful AA and I have no doubt that you will succeed.

[spincycle]

AAthlete's Opus (loosely defined)...

I wish you much success in your journey. As someone who also really struggled with AA, you want want to also consider Celebrate Recovery. It's similar, but Christian based. It was started by Saddleback Church/Rick Warren. Perhaps it might fall in line with your desire for church involvement without the AA stigma you mentioned. Good luck!
Celebrate Recovery | Home

[xtexan]

AAthlete's Opus (loosely defined)...

AAthlete;128098 wrote: I believe that to truly beat this affliction, I need to battle it from every single angle that I can, as hard as I can. My singular goal is to beat this thing and spend the rest of my nurturing my sobriety. Nothing else in the world is as important to me as this is right now.


I've discovered that there is no magic bullet, pill, or anything else -- you have to WANT THIS more than anything in the world, and BE WILLING to do whatever it takes to get there.

AAthlete

And there you have it. These two statements I culled from your post, are the philosophy I have tried to live by these past 16 + months.

WHATEVER IT TAKES, or die were my choices. I've said it before, but as I lay gasping for air back in December 2005, lungs clogged with pneumonia, knowing the booze WAS GOING TO KILL ME, this was the commitment.

Even today, I must relive in my mind from time to time where I was back then. No glamour, no stress relief, no joy, no sweet oblivion... It was death staring me in the face, with no mercy. I may yet fall, but today, which is a day I will not drink, is a day I will live to see another.

Good post there, AA.

Be well.

Neil

[ScoobyDoo]

AAthlete's Opus (loosely defined)...

Wow... what a realisation! I'm envious that this has come for you in such a strong way.

AA... do it! Embrace it with your heart and soul. It sounds like everything is going to work out just fine for you. Change is exciting and I bet your marriage will be amazing as a result.

Lots of love
Doo

[AAthlete]

AAthlete's Opus (loosely defined)...

Someone is officially watching out for me...

I went to my first AA meeting this morning, and couldn't have asked to meet a more wonderful group of people (aside from you all, of course).

It's truly amazing how the stories stay the same no matter where you are - everyone is after the same thing. I was blessed to get out of my car and immediately introduce myself to someone who welcomed me with open arms, introduced me to the group, and helped me gather all the information, numbers, & names that I needed.

It was also amazing that multiple members, when telling their stories (they did this since I was a new member) went out of their way to mention the fact that it doesn't have to be all about religion (even though I am pursuing that now), that it is more a group of people who are there for each other and support each other through thick and thin.

It kinda reminds me of that line, "I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship..."
Corny I know, but that's the way I feel right now. I cannot get complacent, EVER, but between you guys and this group I think I've reached a wonderful crossroads in my life.

Take care all!

[Guest]

AAthlete's Opus (loosely defined)...

AA, so happy it went well for you!! You deserve all the best my friend.
Always smiles for you
Mar

[aquamarine]

AAthlete's Opus (loosely defined)...

AA- What a wonderful post. I could really relate so much to many of the things you said.
This really is a tough battle and can't be underestimated. I wish you the best of luck in your
journey. I can feel your determination and dedication coming through and it is inspiring. Aquamarine

[DidItForMe]

AAthlete's Opus (loosely defined)...

You sound so strong, I can only believe that you will reach every goal that you set for yourself.

Wonderful post and congrats on that first meeting.

Wishing you all the best!!!

[AAthlete]

AAthlete's Opus (loosely defined)...

A Follow Up To The OPUS

I now find myself almost four months away from when I wrote this, and I am grateful to say that I did find My Way Out.....

Other than a two day slip towards the end of May and another one in the middle of June I have been completely sober (my sobriety date is now June 15th) for almost four months. I continue to attend my morning AA meetings (and actually chair several of them), and log onto here daily to see all of your inspiring stories. I don't post nearly as much as I used to , but the support I take away from your posts is invaluable.

I cannot begin to tell you how my life has changed, but it is better than I ever could have imagined. I no longer find myself craving a drink - that desire has been removed through the rediscovery of my spirituality. Although I attend AA meetings, I don't by any means consider myself to be militant about it, but at the same time it has taught me so many wonderful things about living my life one day at a time. I am a much happier person, and enjoy the little things in life again. Challenges still arise, but now I have a better way of dealing with them, plus now I have both online (MWO) and person to person people (AA) that I can talk to when I encounter those challenges.

Anyway, won't boor you anymore with this, but just wanted to share my experience and let people know that it truly can and does get better, and that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. You just have to by truly honest with yourself and be willing to go to any lengths to get sober. No one solution is right for everybody, and you have to keep searching until you find yours.

Your friend,

AAthlete

[diamond]

AAthlete's Opus (loosely defined)...

You are very inspirational AA, thanks for keeping us up to date, and good luck with your continued sobriety,

Diamond x

[Niblet]

AAthlete's Opus (loosely defined)...

As always AA I have utmost respect for you as a great friend... You have always been a wealth of information and today you have not failed to impress upon me... I wish you gentle warm breezes to push you that last mile of a very long gruelling bike ride my friend.
Sending you a heartwarming hug,