Weekly AA Thread - Apr. 18 - Apr. 24

[Doggygirl]

Weekly AA Thread - Apr. 18 - Apr. 24

Hi all. I'm still thinking about the meeting I attended yesterday. We normally discuss the Daily Reflections reading in that meeting. But a man relapsed and came back, so we opted to talk about Step One. I needed that.

One of the things he mentioned that led to relapse was getting too comfortable, and letting the "cunning, baffling and powerful" thinking take over. Isolation was a biggie. Not only did he stop going to meetings but he stopped reaching out to others by phone or in person. I truly envision a small animal separated from it's pack by a predator, and then.....

I've been really enjoying my sobriety lately and there is nothing wrong with that. I've been amazed at having absolutely NO desire to drink. I've attended a few less meetings than normal......and now I see where this could go.

I need to change this up a bit. Continue enjoying the promises of the program, while keeping up with the activities that got me here.

I am powerless over alcohol. No doubt about that. Today I am free however, and I am willing to do what it takes to keep it that way.

DG

[retteacher]

Weekly AA Thread - Apr. 18 - Apr. 24

Phil: Congratulations! You made up your mind to do it, & you did it! A loving HP & your own effort!

A friend in program who came in around the time I did, just went up & picked up a 24 hr. chip the other night. It came as a surprise to all who know him. Relapse can happen to anyone! For me, I take the 1st step every day & remember how unmanageable my life was before I got sober.

Mary

[Newgrange]

Weekly AA Thread - Apr. 18 - Apr. 24

Congrats cpn. An amazing achievement.

Such wise words Mary. I hope its ok to post here? Gravitate always to wisdom and experience.

[Newgrange]

Weekly AA Thread - Apr. 18 - Apr. 24

And very wise words from DG. Thanks.

[cpn1004]

Weekly AA Thread - Apr. 18 - Apr. 24

Mary, thanks for the story on relapse. I need to hear that. Alcohol is cunning.........and you guys the rest.

[retteacher]

Weekly AA Thread - Apr. 18 - Apr. 24

Phil: Before I fall asleep sometimes, I think about the people who were in the rooms when I came in in 2009. Plenty of them are gone. I know if they aren't attending meetings, they are probably drinking. I was walking my dog recently in a local park & saw a woman I know from meetings. She has shared many times her struggle w/relapse. I haven't seen her in about a month, & when I saw her in the park, i could see the toll her addiction has taken on her physically, emotionally & spiritually. I was juggling the g-sons & 2 dogs at the time & couldn't speak to her. However, I know that when she wants to get sober, we'll all be there for her. It's so difficult to see someone struggle like that. But it definitely shows me where I would be if I thought I could take a drink again. M

[Doggygirl]

Weekly AA Thread - Apr. 18 - Apr. 24

Hi all! Newgrange, you are MOST welcome to post here. Everyone is welcome to post here - attending AA meetings (or any other AA participation) is not a requirement! You are right - there is wisdom on this thread and that is one reason I love it!

Today was an awesome AA day. It felt like "re-grounding" of sorts. I enjoyed the Big Book meeting - we read and discussed the story The Missing Link. This is the story of a young man who hit his bottom by age 18, and found recovery shortly thereafter. Even though I'm a woman, and the road to my bottom was a much longer one time-wise, I can identify with so much in this story. The feeling of never fitting in during my school years. The feeling once I drank, that AL was a solution to my problems. The suicidal feelings. The fear of walking into the rooms for the first time. Being happily involved in recovery activities while others go to parties, etc. I am so grateful to be sober. I am so grateful I found recovery before death found me.

Today was also special in that my sponsor, who has been very ill over the last year and no longer drives, was able to come to the meeting today and receive her 14 year coin. And my sponsee was there too - a very special time for the 3 of us! There was an open invitation for people to go out for breakfast. As it turned out, it ended being a women's breakfast with 8 of us - AA's and Alanons. We had a really good time. I am so blessed to have these women in my life. I never used to trust women.

In a meeting after that with sponsee, we talked a bit about gossip. How destructive it is. How a simple "how is so-and-so-doing?" can readily lead to inappropriate discussions of other people's business. I have redoubled my resolve to not participate in gossip. One habit I will work on is the habit of asking about people who are not there. Probably an OK thing under some circumstances, but because of where it often leads, I will call "so-and-so" if I want to know how they are doing. If others invite me to talk about someone who is not present, I will say "I would rather not talk about anyone who is not present."

Anyway, those are my thoughts and lessons for today!!

I hope you all are having a great day and I nice Easter weekend for those who celebrate.

DG

[retteacher]

Weekly AA Thread - Apr. 18 - Apr. 24

Happy Easter for all who celebrate it.

Last night's discussion meeting was very powerful. Again, as last week, a long-time member w/quite a long sobriety (8 years approx, I think...maybe more) went up & got a 24 hr chip. That had to take a lot of courage on his part. I've heard him speak at annivs, & I also know he sponsors people. It came as a shock & wake-up call to me. This disease does not discriminate when it comes to relapses. It's a scary thought that after all that time, we can succomb to it again.

I'm going to my regular BB meeting tonight. I know that I must go to meetings whenever i can, regardless of what I think is more important.

Mary

[cpn1004]

Weekly AA Thread - Apr. 18 - Apr. 24

This morning's 630am meeting was about insanity. Can I get an amen? Last night we ate crawfish with our kids. Several cold mugs of beer were on the table and I had water. My 4 year granddaughter says " Pappa why dont you drink beer?" I replied, "it makes me crazy."

[Doggygirl]

Weekly AA Thread - Apr. 18 - Apr. 24

cpn1004;1104503 wrote: This morning's 630am meeting was about insanity. Can I get an amen? Last night we ate crawfish with our kids. Several cold mugs of beer were on the table and I had water. My 4 year granddaughter says " Pappa why dont you drink beer?" I replied, "it makes me crazy."

A-M-E-N!!!!!
DG

[retteacher]

Weekly AA Thread - Apr. 18 - Apr. 24

me too: amen