Weekly AA Thread - July 18 - July 26

[Doggygirl]

Weekly AA Thread - July 18 - July 26

I too used to think that I was not alcoholic because I had not reached the level of being homeless or having a DUI (or many).

Now when I look back and fully realize the intense grip AL had on my life, it takes effort for me to stay away from the overwhelming sadness I feel at giving the very best years of my life to AL. Hopefully the knowlege of what I truly lost will help me live a better life today, and maybe will help me help others. It is sad that we cannot see what AL is really robbing us of until we are really far down the road.

DG

[retteacher]

Weekly AA Thread - July 18 - July 26

DG: I too think back to the wonderful times I missed because of drinking...weddings, family reunions, holidays, etc. I think I went through a period of grief about these losses. Time heals all however. If we can use these memories as examples of why we should stay away from alcohol, then they are in our lives for a reason.

[retteacher]

Weekly AA Thread - July 18 - July 26

At that step meeting I spoke about earlier, there was a lot of talk about losses. Some of the folks lost so, so much...families, money, homes, jobs, etc. That's not a reason to drink, & they said as much. Recovery is in the now, the present moment. As they say in AA, the past is gone & the future hasn't happened yet.

[Doggygirl]

Weekly AA Thread - July 18 - July 26

retteacher;1151245 wrote: DG: I too think back to the wonderful times I missed because of drinking...weddings, family reunions, holidays, etc. I think I went through a period of grief about these losses. Time heals all however. If we can use these memories as examples of why we should stay away from alcohol, then they are in our lives for a reason.

Mary, it hit me so hard when I was at founders day walking around the campus in the wee hours of the morning when all was quiet. I thought of the hope and optimism that should come with the college years. Exploring different subjects and finding one's passion in life. That is just not how I spent those years at all. All I really put my energy into was partying. It truly brings tear to my eyes just typing about it. When I should have been finding myself and setting the course for my life, I threw it away on AL. I can't even describe the depth of sadness I feel about that.

I hope my experience going back to school to become an addiction counselor helps me feel healed.

DG

[retteacher]

Weekly AA Thread - July 18 - July 26

DG: I know the counseling program will teach you tons about yourself. I didn't drink alcoholically in college but was a sort of alcoholic-in-training. I missed a lot just because I had a lot of hang-ups (do they still use that word any more?). Everything that happens in our lives is there for a reason & higher purpose. I'm just trying to feel grateful for all I learned from my:
-drunken years.
-my mistakes.
-my hardships.
-my character defects.
-etc.

It's the difficulties in life that teach me the most formative lessons.

Good luck. I love you.

Mary

[Kimberley]

Weekly AA Thread - July 18 - July 26

Hey all,

Just popping by to say hello - been very busy but I love catching up on all your posts. It sounds like there are lots of new beginnings going on here - new secretary, new course etc. It's lovely And I have just begun the steps so I'm right with you too.

K x

[retteacher]

Weekly AA Thread - July 18 - July 26

K: It's a joy to read even your briefest posts. Your recovery is moving along beautifully. M

[cpn1004]

Weekly AA Thread - July 18 - July 26

Wow! So glad I stopped by this morning. Great words from y'all. For me concerning Step 1, I have to read it as written " ... powerless over alcohol - that our lives .....". There is no "and", it is a "dash". Thus not two parts of some Logic Statement where 1+1= 1 or 1+0=0. Sorry to be so anal or nerdy about it, but that is what works for me.

[Doggygirl]

Weekly AA Thread - July 18 - July 26

Good to see you Kimberly, Mary and Phil.

Phil, I like what you wrote. Thinking of the powerless & unmanageability as all one rather than two separate things. There is no doubt that alcohol = powerlessunmanageability for me.

DG

[retteacher]

Weekly AA Thread - July 18 - July 26

me too.