AF APRIL 2010 - WEEK 3

[Lavande]

AF APRIL 2010 - WEEK 3

Good morning April friends,

Cute froggies there IAD

bear - wishing you continued success! I'm still wishing away the weight I gained when I quit smoking last year.

Chill, I think we all are worth a lot less these days, where our investments are concerned! I have a feeling you are creative enough to find your way despite the economy. Hang in there friend

Greetings Red, Rustop, Dill & Sooty! It's not a nice day in my neighborhood, chilly & no sun. Definitely looks like an inside day shaping up here but that's OK, I have plenty to do.

Wishing you all a terrific AF Tuesday!
Lav

[Chillgirl]

AF APRIL 2010 - WEEK 3

Dill - what a beautiful quote! I will be adding this to my list of favorites

Bear - Congrats to you for taking on the cigarettes as well as the AL and good for you for the new fitness program too!

These days I try to observe my emotions rather than wallow in them, they are continually changing hence their name (e -) motion as in always moving. One day can be good and the next bad even although nothing has changed other than our thinking. The journey of sobriety has highlighted this even better for me and I am learning patience with certain states of mind that do not serve me. "And this to shall pass" continues to be a great reminder......

Sending much love to you all Spuddle, Rustop, Sooty, IAD, Doggygirl, Dill, Red, Bear, Lav and those still to drop by today :l

[Stargazerlily]

AF APRIL 2010 - WEEK 3

Happy humpday to all on AF April 2010.

Dill, I so agree with the quote about being positive. I believe that what you send out you get back. I also have thought alot about our perceptions of the world. I think Dr. Phil (ha) said something like there is no reality, only perception. I mean, to an extent that is true. We can look at ourselves and beat ourselves up for our drinking mishaps or we can focus on our progress in this AF journey. I know that on this site our goals are to be totally AF, but when I look at the changes we have all made, I realize that we are amazing.

Going from drinking almost daily to a random event....that is progress. Not perfection, though. So, let's just celebrate our progress today!!:h

What I am most grateful for is the decrease in anxiety and self-hatred. I really do like myself when I am my true self - my AF self. It is so weird; when drinking my life seems not good enough, when AF I am able to think clearly and appreciate all my blessings. I realize I AM good enough. Does this make sense?

I see this all the time on this thread and MWO in general. The more AF time a person gets under their belt, the more satisfaction they have in life. The more confidence in their abilities, trust in their relationships, and good things in their life. :l

Today, I commit to being AF.

[rustop61]

AF APRIL 2010 - WEEK 3

Good morning everyone

Star - You make perfect sense. I too am grateful for the decrease in self-hatred. That feeling of self loathing while suffering a hangover was so debilitating. You are right, the fact that we have gone from daily drinking to none at all is amazing.

Dill - What a beautiful quote.

Bear - Congrats on being NF as well as AF.

Chill - Hope you are still feeling positive.

Sooty - Your bracelet/necklace making sounds like fun.

Lav, IAD, Red and everyone else big hello. Today I commit to being AF.

Rustop

[Chillgirl]

AF APRIL 2010 - WEEK 3

Happy Humpback Guys

Yes Rustop - still positive

Red - I just loved your post, it echos so many of my own feelings and im sure the feelings of so many of us. I totally believe that our perceptions ARE our reality and I agree we are all truly amazing...

All grievences come from our egos which you can recognise as that voice in our heads. The cycle we get ourselves into with drinking is pretty much, beat ourselves up about not being good enough, or interesting enough, or clever enough or whatever it happens to be. Then we drink to escape and for that short time we think we achieve peace but all we are doing is adding to the self loathing and giving our egos more to grieve about.

I actually feel tremendous gratitude for having an alcohol addiction as I could never have grown so much spiritually without this experience.

Some people ask how do you know the difference between our ego and that inner voice of knowing or intuition and the best guide is that the true authentic self never tells you "you suck!" :H

Although AA is not for me, when i 1st went I was so struck by the wonderful experience of individuals sharing their inner most thoughts and feelings. These people were growing not because they were alcoholics, but because they were opening up to each other in ways our society doesnt support. What we need is a BA (Beings Anonymous) for everyone and in a way I feel we have acheived this is a small way here on MWO.

Red - Im with you.... lets celebrate

[dill]

AF APRIL 2010 - WEEK 3

Meditation For The Day

I must keep calm and unmoved in the vicissitudes of life.
I must go back into the silence of communion with God to
recover this calm when it is lost even for one moment. I
will accomplish more by this calmness than by all the
activities of a long day. At all cost I will keep calm.
I can solve nothing when I am agitated. I should keep
away from things that are upsetting emotionally. I should
run on an even keel and not get tipped over by emotional
upsets. I should seek for things that are calm and good
and true and stick to those things. ~ Daily Recovery Readings

I needed this particular message as work is really stressful just now.

Thank you Red and Chill for your very thoughtful posts.

I am short on time this morning so I will just wish everyone a great AF day!

[Lavande]

AF APRIL 2010 - WEEK 3

Good morning April friends,

The sun has burned through the fog so it's looking good out there

Red, the clarity that comes with AF time is priceless - the more the merrier!

Rustop, you sound happy too

Chill, I am proud of my BA - being here these past 14 months has made a huge difference in my life!

Dill, I remember this time last year being stressful for you as well. Your Daily Meditation makes perfect sense Hope your day goes well!

I have a busy day planned for myself, lots of work to complete before my energizer bunny grandson arrives.
Wishing everyone a terrific AF Hump Day!

Lav

[sooty]

AF APRIL 2010 - WEEK 3

Happy humpday everybody. A cloudy old day here, the sun is trying to peep through but its quite cold out there! I've been shopping and am going to be busy now as daughter returning to uni tomorrow early and this is usually a very hectic time - getting her organised and packed can present quite a challenge!
So if I'm not back this evening I'll see you all tomorrow.
Have a good day folks
love Sooty

[IAD]

AF APRIL 2010 - WEEK 3

April movers........another nice day here around Baltimore and DC. Hi! All....take care. IAD

[Raven.joy]

AF APRIL 2010 - WEEK 3

Hi all, life is sweet in Bath. I have just seen an advert for a job I really want managing a veggie restaurant I am off to apply online.

[cyntree]

AF APRIL 2010 - WEEK 3

Happy humpday all - Lav, your avatar winked at me today - made me feel special! Glad to hear everyone sounding cheerful and thoughtful - what a nice combination. Chill - It's always a challenge for me to remember to be a 'human being', not a 'human doing'; thanks for the reminder. Here's to all the bright beings here on MWO. Rav - sending good application vibes...
cheers -

[Stargazerlily]

AF APRIL 2010 - WEEK 3

Good morning all. I wish it was the weekend. Maybe I just need more coffee.

IAD, love the picture of the cute little kitty.

Rustop, it is great to realize that we're compentent, intelligent, people with lots of gifts, talents, and abilities. Drinking, we so lose that feeling of wellbeing. I realize how sick I was and am when I drink.

Chill, I appreciate your reflections as always. I too believe that we go through hard times to learn something. That there is a plan for our lives and everything means something. I have always looked for the meaning in circumstances, events. Soul growth is what I think I mean. For me, the bad times have been exceptional times of growth. I may not like it, but it happens. Partly too is what we do with what happens to us. We always have choices. Can we build a life to help others?

Lavande and Dill, I appreciate your faithfulness to this thread. Your contributions are priceless as always. Dill, loved the thoughful daily reading. You are a deep person and I appreciate your sharing your meditations.

Rav, I've always wanted to visit your part of England, but no money. Darn. Hope your new job happens for you. How are you doing on your AF journey? Let us know if you want to and get a chance.

Today, work and this is the day we go out to lunch. Beautiful weather forecast here, sunny and in the seventies. We have had a kicka** spring and I love it. So unusual for the northern Midwest, so I am appreciating every day. Last two nights walked about two miles with my husband and really enjoyed just being outside and talking. Plus the physical exercise does elevate your mood. Today, I challenge everyone to do something related to self-care. Let's share the one exceptionally good thing we have done for ourselves. :h

Today, I commit to being AF.

[rustop61]

AF APRIL 2010 - WEEK 3

Good morning everyone

Very foggy, weird kind of morning here. I wonder if it has anything to do with the lava ash from Iceland? Hope nobody is flying anywhere, it seems most of the airports in Scotland, Uk and Ireland are either closed or very few flights.

At least its not raining so I can do more painting outside and spend some time in the garden.
Dill - we have put in a veggie garden this year. Lettuce, spring onion, spinach, cauliflower, potatoes, carrotts, peas. Hubby put up his green house so he is going to sow tomatoes, cucumber etc. in that. It takes up a lot of time but when the weather is nice, you want to be outside.

Today I commit to being AF. Have a great day everyone.

Rustop

[Chillgirl]

AF APRIL 2010 - WEEK 3

Hi Rustop - I just heard about the volcano and all the airports being closed, what part of the country are you in? I think they actually want it too rain to clear the dust clouds, its going to be messy when it does so be careful with the painting!

[dill]

AF APRIL 2010 - WEEK 3

Good morning,

I, too, just heard about the volcanic ash in iceland. Mr. Dill was reading about it on the internet and read it aloud. Rust, your garden sounds wonderful. I hope you and Mr. R enjoy your greenhouse. We have some tomatoes and flowers started in ours.

Lav, so nice of you to remember that this is my stressful time of year. I'm coping better this year, but I will definitely be happy when summer vacation arrives.

Red, I will take you up on your challenge. I will walk today, too. I think an evening walk such as you described would be a very good idea. I did get out last evening for just a short time. I continue to look for my 2 little koi that I put in the pond a couple of weeks back. I haven't seen them yet. I hope to see them before the heron do!

Hi Cyn, Chill, Rav, IAD, LBH, Soots, Spuddle, and all who stop by. I join you in the pledge today, Rust.