Weekly AA Thread March 15 - 22

[hippie37]

Weekly AA Thread March 15 - 22

As far as STEP 3. I think the most important words in that step are the first three "Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood him." It's my understanding of this step that we are simply making a decision to be willing to go to any lengths for our sobriety. It's kind of one of those "fake it to make it" moments I believe. I was only 'coming' to believe in the previous step so going from that to putting all my faith in a God I was still unsure of was difficult. It's only through step 11 that I've been able to take an even greater leap of faith. I've had too many things happen to me in recovery that I am in no doubt go way beyond just pure coincidence. Reading Dance's post proves that to me as well. Doors just seem to open where others close. We just have to be willing to grab the key and open them.

The WHOLE of the AA program is spiritual for me too. After reading this book I am in no doubt of this either. Check this link out and read some of the reviews. Dance I think you'd like this book as it draws a lot on Carl Jung's theories as well.

The Wide Open Door (0894868675)$12.00

I'm off to start my Diploma course in therapeutic drumming on Friday so will not be around till probably next Wednesday now. I was speaking to my sponsor tonight after the meeting about my fears etc. I'll be phoning him over the course of the week-end and I've checked out meetings in the area on the net. I'm just going to hopefully enjoy myself and not get too caught up analyzing the situation. I have been doing a bit of that recently.

Anyway I hope you'll have a look at the book. Outside of AA literature it has to be one of the best books I've purchased regarding the 12 steps and recovery.

Love and Light
Phil
xx

[Winefree]

Weekly AA Thread March 15 - 22

Hippie, thanks for the info on the book. Early in my sobriety I was reading anything and everything I could get my hands on. I've slacked off a bit and am so glad to see something new to grab hold of. I read some of the info on the sight for the book you gave and it looks like ti will add to the 12 steps some clarifying information and further insight into the 12 steps.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Winefree

[catch22]

Weekly AA Thread March 15 - 22

Hi everyone,
Thanks for all your sharing and info it does help to read even if i do not post a lot i feel like im learning a lot.
Im still new and for me going once a week AA is not effort i can understand when people say you need to go a few times a week now. They only do steps on a thursday night and it starts a 8pm that the time i finish work, so it means i would be 20minutes late but i suppose its better to be late and not go at all, so im going to try and go next thursday.
Hippie enjoy your drumming course And everyone Thanks again.x

[retteacher]

Weekly AA Thread March 15 - 22

I absolutely use the "fake it 'til you make it" method. There are days that I let daily life encroach on my spirituality. Those are the days I MUST get down on my knees & say the prayers that my sponsor specified. I might not have a starburst moment, but that practice does bring about a change in my attitude. Yesterday, a small issue w/someone troubled me a bit. Every time it recycled itself in my mind, I reminded myself to "Let Go & Let God." The slogans can sound a little hokey, but I find that the nugget of wisdom in them works for me. Have a great day everyone.

Mary

PS: Please share if you identify w/anything you read here. It's not a requirement that you go to AA...just that you'd like to stop drinking.

[retteacher]

Weekly AA Thread March 15 - 22

I led the large step meeting tonight. There were some pretty emotional sharings, including one from a guy who was 2 days sober & seemed to have hit some kind of a bottom. He received a 24 hour chip & cried when he received it. The room resounded w/applause & cheers. I felt tears well up in my eyes. I do hope he's ready, & I'll see him again. Mary

[Winefree]

Weekly AA Thread March 15 - 22

It is emotional when someone new or returning comes into the rooms. They always seem so low. I can remember how I felt. Sad, tearful, denying, angry, resentful, embarassed, did I say angry?
It was so much harder in the beginning. I need to keep remembering that for fear I will have to start all over some day. It is so much easier now to just not drink, than to struggle through those beginnings days, weeks, hours, minutes and months all over again.

I need to keep hearing it and that is why I keep going to meetings. Catch, one a week for me would NEVER be enough. I still need those reminders and the fellowship.

Had a really stressful day at work today. Had to rush to get to the meeting and call someone to make the coffee since I have that commitment. Luckily others got the coffee started and I came with the cookies. Had an hour to relax and unwind at the meeting amongst friends. In the past would have been an ideal evening to hit the store and finish off that bottle of wine in a couple of hours to relax........or so I thought. Didn't realize how much it was disturbing my sleep and making my anxiety worse, while increasing my blood pressure among other health problems.....

I believe I'll stay alcohol free.


Winefree
Since 5/2/09

[catch22]

Weekly AA Thread March 15 - 22

Hi Everyone,

mary, 'Let Go & Let God' slogan is not hokey at all, i just realise what it means and im going to remember that one always.

My AA the other week have to do a vote if they want people on probation to come to AA and have to make sure there card get stamp to make sure they have been attending. I was not sure because some people see it as being force, but others see it if you knock on God door would he close the door in your face, i dont think so. Well i said last week im for it. They already do it in some parts of uk up north. I know they have some people on my couselling sessions that on probation but they are cutting it down to once week instead of twice a week because of the grovement. so this guy who is 65yrs old is going to do a follow up where the church will fund it. He was a carer for his daughter and wants to help out now.
I never thought i would say the word program but, also Mary last tuesday a young lad who is feeling very suicidal nearly on the edge, in my group sessions my heart went out to him i could really feel his pain, everyone try to support him, he ask a question i said you know what you need is a program to work on the counselling sessions dont seem to be working for him. At the end i said im really im worried about him, i went over and give him a big hug, someone last week give me a big hug and it nice to return a big hug, i really hope to see him this tuesday and hoping his not in that dark place. i know the group session should contact someone when one feels like taking there own life, because we had to sign papers just in case if they feel we are in any danger to how selfs. when i hear some people say in AA as soon as they come to AA they worked straight on the steps i can understand why.

Winefree i do have my counselling sessions at moment, was twice a week, you know when i see people at my group sessions and they are still drinking they just seem so under happy.
I to will always remind myself the 10th Jan went i try to take a overdose and in hospital my son said to me is it because of me, i think to myself if i succeed he would of had that guilt on him for the rest of his life.( i felt so guilty shame and selfish all at once) I said it was the alcohol, now im crying, because i feel so lucky to be here and alive and to share. Dont know when i will be ready to work on the program, but i feel in myself it will be soon.

Have a happy sober weekend everyone l:hve 2u all.x

[retteacher]

Weekly AA Thread March 15 - 22

Just for the record: I'm for people mandated by the courts being allowed at meetings. The other night when I led the meeting, I initialed 4 - 5 cards showing that those people were in attendance at the meeting. I didn't have a prob w/that. I know they all might not stay in the prog, but even if one does, it's worth the time & trouble. At that same meeting, a woman came in somewhat disruptively. I'm pretty sure she was drunk. However, she quieted down & later came up to me afterward to thank me for leading the meeting. HP has plans for everyone. We don't know who's going to get it on their 1st, 2nd, 3rd etc. try at AA.

Mary

[Doggygirl]

Weekly AA Thread March 15 - 22

Hi all! I'm on the run again today. A busy and full life that would not be possible if I were still drinking.

I am going to a big Mary Kay conference tonight and tomorrow. I'm staying at the hotel tonight. Sitting alone in my room....oh my. That will be the first time doing that since the "business travel and drink" days. Phil, I will think of you and how well you have done making it through that trigger a zillion times. I will not call room service! (at least not for wine!) I love the Mary Kay conference information where it suggests that in the interest of professionalism, people refrain from alcohol consumption during the conferce. Being a Mary Kay lady would not have been possible in the old days for more than one reason! I'm glad to be part of a company with a better value system than the one I used to have.

Have a great sober weekend everyone and I will be thinking of you often.

DG

[retteacher]

Weekly AA Thread March 15 - 22

Tonight is one of those nights where I just see the transformation my life has gone through since joining AA last year. I had a nice dinner out w/some of my women friends, then we all went to the "Burning Desire" meeting I so love. My husb showed up which made my evening complete. Life is good. Mary

[gyco]

Weekly AA Thread March 15 - 22

hi all some interesting comments,ive lerned over the years of being in and out of AA,the slogans for one are suited for the situation,let go,and let god,for one,where i live,tell that one to the aboriginals who were forced,by the government,to get "educated' ,in an all whites,society,government being the forceful arm,gives power to the donominations,to have control,to impose the will of the "church'religion on "aboriginals"when is to much power,to much,my understanding in AA,is,quote,when anyone,anywhere,reaches out for help, I ,want the hand of AA always to be there,whenis to much for AA,when AA starts playing, Doctor,suicide,is mental heath issues,even bill and bob were smart enuff to no that,they created the program,steps.like the word of ,god,is in the eyes of the beholders,one has to read between the lines,the religions that i no of,god,higher power,what ever way,we want to say it,the power gave us rules to live by,these rules were givin long b4 AA,we never listened,til it was for some of us,not us,were still here, "to Late" even science shows,in some cultures,drinking and drugging affects them at a faster pace then some others,are some programs over stepping there boundries,i beleive AA, is just that,growth,Bob says it in his story,at the end, quote, 'what did the man,not god,he,bob, was very religious, "do or say", that was 'different" from what "quote "others" had said,i beleive this says it all gyco

[catch22]

Weekly AA Thread March 15 - 22

Hi ALL,
gyco i know what you are saying,,,, re-reading my post above come out wrong i was meant to say this this young lad is very destructive and he knows he is, his been in and out of prison but i can see the good side of him. Me myself would think a program would help him.
Transformation they say in AA that they love seeing people faces change from day one. really please for you mary.
i was meant to write more but cant because im panicing and keep losing my post. so i will write it on monday when i feel comfortable in my own space.

[gyco]

Weekly AA Thread March 15 - 22

catch you didnt write nothing wrong,my writings arent ment to be offensive,sometimes i come across harshly,one of the reasons i choose not to go to AA meetings , i come here and read you folks,i see more progress here then i do at meetings ,i will try to be less offensive in the future,i have an addiction,i dont apoligise for that anymore,ive excepted the fact,i shouldnt drink,and i no when i do my life is caotic,hope you feel better,gyco

[catch22]

Weekly AA Thread March 15 - 22

Mroning ALL,
Gyco, your not offensive at all, always love reading your post.:l

On saturday at my AA meeting taking about forgiveness got me thinking, i suppose i know where all mine begins is from the past which i think i would find hard to.
Have to go come back and finish of what i got to say later daughter needs to get on p.c.

[gyco]

Weekly AA Thread March 15 - 22

catch thank you,are past should not bother us,yesterday is gone,easy for some to say,my daughter was over last night,i beleive she was trying to say,emotional destuction,not alchoholism,she and the rest of my clan,are prown to slipping into,the addiction path,it runs in my family,i dont beleive for me or many others,its the drink anymore,i , like many,would like to drink,but,i have to train my mind i cant,easier said then done,i do beleive for some,AA meetings help,i guess church or a higher power,it is all part of the retraining of the mind,i said it b4,just being able to talk,to people like me,helps,i guess total freedom,is death,is it,ot of societies have there take on that ending to,gyco