Weekly AA Thread 9/7-9/13

[j-vo]

Hi everyone,

The topic at my home group this Sat. was "change." I immediately thought, so many changes have occurred in the short period since my sobriety date. But I chose to talk about the relationship with my son. He's been talking to me more, "hanging out" with me, being affectionate (as much as a 12 year old boy can be) and this is such a wonderful feeling for me. He always knew when I was drunk. Always said, "Mom, you're drunk again." I'm feeling that he loves me, and nothing feels so good, especially not being loaded.

Married, good luck with all your endeavors! That's a lot on your plate. What classes are you taking? Try to balance things out. I know that's hard, but don't be too hard on yourself.

Rebirth, menopause can happen from early 40's to late 50's (I think!). I haven't gotten there yet, but I suspect changes are going on that are leading to this phase of life.

DG, when did you start speaking? That's great you have the support of your home group. I went to listen to one of our girls from home group speak last week. She was grateful for the support, and I can imagine that when I get to that point, I'd love to have that support, too. How many times have your spoken? How does it feel afterwards? Sorry, so many questions!

Mary, I'm glad to hear your daughter made it through that first week. That's so draining, and on top of that, I'm sure she's feeling the affects of the medicine. I know after my first week, I was drained, without chemo. Glad your potluck went well!

Have a great day.

[rebirth]

Weekly AA Thread 9/7-9/13

just popping in quickly as I seem to be rediculously busy the past few days.

Reading your post j-vo..my relationship with my son has also increased tenfold. I have so much more time for him...

Gosh, need to catch up on mary's post too. See if her daughter is okay.

[rebirth]

Weekly AA Thread 9/7-9/13

j-vo. did you have cancer or am I reading it wrong?

[Doggygirl]

Weekly AA Thread 9/7-9/13

rebirth;952780 wrote: j-vo. did you have cancer or am I reading it wrong?

I read that as the first week of school? (getting through it) I'm sure j-vo will clarify!

Hi j-vo and rebirth and all to come. So happy to read about the improved relationships with your children. How awesome is that!! I have had the pleasure of hearing a couple of alateen speakers over the last year. It is very sobering to realize how young they are when they know that drinking is negatively affecting things at home. Every parent who thinks their young children don't know something is wrong should make a point of going to an open meeting where these kids are speaking - hear it from the horses mouth so to speak.

Mary, I hope things go smoothly for Patty with the chemo. Sister is having some ups and downs (nausea and headaches) and they have told her that these side affects typically last 3 - 6 months. I know some people get the side affects and some don't - I hope Patty doesn't.

j-vo I was first asked to speak last fall at an "away" club. A girl who knew me from one of my home groups had moved to another part of the Chicago suburban area, and was asked if she could help organize some speakers. As it turned out, this was at the same club where the man I refer to as my Step Coach had spent many years going to meetings. So he arranged to chair the meeting where I was speaking for the first time. That was so comforting!! And even though it was pretty far away, there were probably 10 people from my home groups that went all that way to support me. It was awesome! That is where I really learned how much it means to the speaker to have familiar faces out there. So now I do my best to go hear my friends speak around town.

Really large meetings look for speakers with way more sobriety than me, and more experience. Small meetings are often just looking for anyone willing to tell their story! That's how we start getting speaking experience I guess. Other meetings have specific requirements i.e. amount of time sober and/or progress working the steps with a sponor. So yesterday was my 3rd time. It gets easier each time, and also I have more to say as recovery progresses.

So.....if any of you are ever asked to speak, please say yes. It will be a growth experience for you and sharing our strength and experience and hope is ALWAYS good for others. Don't ever thing you don't have enough experience, etc. If you are asked, call your sponsor and then decide if it's good for you. (it probably will be!)

Have a wonderful sober day today.

DG

[Doggygirl]

Weekly AA Thread 9/7-9/13

Hi again. A friend of mine passed this along to me. I thought it was interesting and worth a share!

12 Signs of a Spiritual Awakening

1. An increased tendency to let things happen
rather than make them happen.
2. Frequent attacks of smiling.
3. Feelings of being connected with others and nature.
4. Frequent overwhelming episodes of appreciation.
5. A tendency to think and act spontaneously
rather than from fears based on past experience.
6. An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.
7. A loss of ability to worry.
8. A loss of interest in conflict.
9. A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others.
10. A loss of interest in judging others.
11. A loss of interest in judging self.
12. Gaining the ability to love
without expecting anything in return.

DG

[rebirth]

Weekly AA Thread 9/7-9/13

Hi DG,
Jusr been reading your signs..Geez I have a long way to go before I am spiritually awakened. I am guessing it's gonna take years and years. Baby steps forward. But I do already relate to a few on your list:
2, 3, lots of 4,. The rest I need to seriously work on!

I have just had an arguement with my partner and he has walked out. No idea if this is the end ( I dont think so but I am also not sure). I am not even sure why we argued. .. He annoyed all weekend. Saturday night was the worse. He went out saturday night for an hour and he promised that he wouldnt get drunk... he came home plastered.it's not easy to make conversation with a drunk.So saturday night wasnt good whatsoever.

I have also learnt that that I should not cram too much in a weekend. I took too much on board, visiting friends, doing errands etc...my list was long and now I am exhausted and a bit miserable.

It's all lessons learnt, right? but to achieve 5 to 12 would be a blessing...

[rebirth]

Weekly AA Thread 9/7-9/13

Ha ha. I am making myself laugh. Just reread my message and I suddenly feel much better!
I am feeling number four again.
Last year this episode with my BF would have sent me to the off license to drown myself in sorrow. I would have then probably rung a couple of people feeling extremely sorry for myself , crying down the phone etc. I would not have gone to work the next day, feeling even more shit. In which I would carry on drinking to ease the hangover and the guilt, self remorse, why am I such a loser etc.

But now! I am trying to relax by thinking positive thoughts and having a nice glass of sparking water with as sqeeze of fresh lime.

Oh my. I have moved on LEAPS and BOUNDS!!
x

[rebirth]

Weekly AA Thread 9/7-9/13

Sobriety is certainly about change

[j-vo]

Weekly AA Thread 9/7-9/13

Oops. No, I did not have cancer. I'm a teacher though, and I meant that first week is draining. Sorry!

[Cherbear]

Weekly AA Thread 9/7-9/13

Good Morning all!

DG: loved your list!! It really made me realize how much I am changing. I think the one that stands out the most is number 5 I would not do stuff and I never knew why and now I know it was the alcohol. and lack of spirt.
Going to my BB meeting tonight. My home group )

[Doggygirl]

Weekly AA Thread 9/7-9/13

Rebirth, I'm sorry to hear about the situation with your partner. It sounds like you are handling things in the best way possible - calm and sober. What will be will be. We really DO change a lot when we sober up. That isn't always easy for our partners to accept. (if that even has anything to do with it in this case!) You are doing great and making such terrific progress.

Cherbear, I like that list too - sort of a good progress chart to see where I am in the peace and serenity and happiness department! In the darkest days of my drinking, none of those 12 things were true for me. The fact that some of them are true for me today is progress and a miracle of sorts! Have fun at your meeting tonight!

DG

[retteacher]

Weekly AA Thread 9/7-9/13

DG: I too loved the list & see some of the happenings in my life. I'm going to copy it & put it in a document so that I can go back to it from time to time. Yes, I've heard that some people have the side effects of the med & some don't. I know Sister will ride it out w/grace & dignity.

I'll be going to FL to see my mother & get some things straightened out for her (docs, car, financial stuff, etc.). I won't be around for a while. I'll miss you all.

Mary

[j-vo]

Weekly AA Thread 9/7-9/13

Have a safe trip Mary!

Rebirth, you handled the fight extremely well! Yes, that's a big, positive change in you.

DG, great list. I'll do the same as Mary and cut and paste into a document. I'll refer to that, as I do see a lot of positive changes and signs of my spiritual awakening. All of these tools are so helpful!

Tuesday evening I'm going to my sponsor's house for a small women's big book meeting. This will be my second meeting with them and I look forward to it! Have a great day.

[marriedgirl29]

Weekly AA Thread 9/7-9/13

Hello everyone-

J-Vo to answer I am taking Cost Accounting and Intermediate Accounting 2. I let the first week of school throw me off my game last week, only made it to 2 meetings, usually make 5-7. So not cool. Was really feeling it by Sunday.

Reconnected with my sponsor today and made a meeting and shared, which I usually don't do. It felt really good. I am a bit behind with my school work due to procrastination(imagine that) but nothing terrible. Just must do better.

Happy to be sober. I was really having some insane thoughts, like could I drink again, etc. and once I shared that in the meeting and talked to my sponsor about it they really lost their grip and I remembered the truth about myself. I have the disease of alchoholism, and a daily reprieve as we say contingent upon my spiritual condition.

Also, a girl my sponsor used to sponsor came up and gave me her card, she is close to my age and we actually have a lot in common my sponsor was telling me, she has 3 years sober and volunteered to be my backup sponsor so to speak for when my sponsor's not available. I really need to get some more relationships going and especially telephone contacts so I can stay connected so I really feel like this was a God thing! :h

Got an AA women's retreat coming up in October, never been to one, I'm excited!!!

[Doggygirl]

Weekly AA Thread 9/7-9/13

How fabulous to start the day with a WOW moment!!! This line has been on my mind yesterday evening and this morning:

What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 85

My daily reprieve means that, no matter how difficult or painful things appear today, I can draw on the power of the program to stay liberated from my cunning, baffling and powerful illness.

This really is a day by day journey, isn't it. The only thing that makes sobriety a little bit easier with time (for me anyway) is that I am working very hard at what seems to be a positive spiritual fitness for me. I was so spiritually bereft when I first started this journey that it took a LONG time to begin to find my way. But I still have to work at it every day just like going to Curves if I want to be physically fit and working my Weight Watchers plan if I want to stay a healthy weight. For me, my daily spiritual fitness plan consists of:

* Go to meetings (I go to about 5 - 6 meetings per week)
* Call my sponsor
* Read the daily readings
* Do my step work (sponsor directed and step meeting directed)
* Pray and trust God (do my best - this is hard for me..)
* Reach out to others and stay off the pity pot

My other current favorite Big Book line is:


The spirtual life is not a theory. We have to live it.

I am figuring out what that means to me to LIVE in a spiritual way each day.

MG, I don't think these things like your fellow sponsee connection are accidental.

j-vo, I would love to study the Big Book in a small group like you are doing. I love reading the Big Book - something new jumps out at me every time.

Mary, travel safely. It's wonderful that you are able to help your Mom in this way.

I will not be drinking today.

DG