AA Post in June

[Solitaire]

I am so excited!!!
We (AA) have been invited into the military!!
They run an outpatient rehab thingy, and I went to speak there on Wednesday.
On Thursday a woman attended our Newcomers meeting!
Today, Friday, we were invited to speak to all the top guys those with lots of things on their shoulders?
We have 25 minutes to give them insight into addiction, and recovery!

For those who had odd experiences in AA:
I got an email from an old-timer yesterday, which sent my BP into the red....
So... Firstly, I checked if my side of the street is clean, which it was....
A big lesson for me the last month:
He is a sick person with his own personal set of character defects....

I still want to kick him where my mom taught me when I was little...
But? He's MUCH bigger than I, so I probably won't!! lol

Hugs from Africa!

[DreamThinkDo]

AA Post in June

Pick your kick victims carefully, Sol! Great news about the other, less interesting Army - hope things went well there.

Have a great weekend!

[retteacher]

AA Post in June

Sol & Dream: Many thanks for reviving this thread. I was beginning to lose hope. There is a part in the BB which says we must not have even justified anger, as anger is our #1 enemy. I don't have a lot of resentments, but I do carry a few. My in-laws, in particular, can be exasperating & irrational. When I ask my AA friends about this, they point me to the sick person prayer which is in "How it works" somewhere. I don't particularly like forgiving or praying for the person I'm mad at. But, my sobriety is at stake if I hold on. Anyhow, this has been a topic for discussion many times w/my AA buddies. I just try to do my best.

Again, thank you so much for being here. The army project sounds wonderful. You're doing good work. Mary

[Solitaire]

AA Post in June

What an "a-ha" moment:
"The Insignificant disappears in the presence of the Magnificent"

Bottom of P60, the bit about the actor and director?
When I saw this man, whom I can honestly call a bully, I felt nothing...
He is not someone I ever have to meet for coffee, but he is just another sick person...

Fantastic work at the Army hospital to be done, I am so excited!

Have a loving week-end
Sol xxx

[retteacher]

AA Post in June

So true: I don't have to have people who have offended me over to my house for dinner. However, I do have to let go of the hurt, anger, vindictiveness, & expectations that they will apologize. I onlly need to keep my side of the street clean.

[christyacc]

AA Post in June

Hello there.....

It has definitely been some time since I've been on this site, and I'm embarrassed to say that I had 9 months of sobriety that came to a screeching halt when I thought I could be 'normal'. That was the end of March and here I am July 6th, praying for the madness to stop.

I went to AA and that is how I became sober. I lost touch with AA in November of last year, and lost my sobriety the end of March. I am trying to rekindle with AA and thought I would come here and say hello.

Thanks for listening.

[retteacher]

AA Post in June

Christy: I too relapsed during the summer of 2012 after 3 years sober in AA. I didn't stop going to AA, but I didn't work the program at that time. I too thought that after all that sobriety, I could drink like a normal person. As soon as I took my first sip, I was off and running. It was awful. I was out for several weeks, but was totally miserable. It took all my courage to admit (I'm a closet drinker) my relapse to my husband, friends in AA, & my sponsor. I thank God I did though. Otherwise I'd be drinking today. One of my friends in AA told me not to feel too bad about the relapse, as it acted as a "convincer." It really did. I can't fool myself into thinking I'm anything but an alcoholic. I am again an active AA member for I know it's the only way for me to stay sober. I just got a new sponsor, as my old one died in May. I make phone calls, go to meetings 5 - 6 times per week, work the steps, & do service. I don't want to drink again. Good luck. Don't be embarrassed. I've heard some unbelievable relapse stories. People who had been sober 7, 13, even 21 years who thought they could drink again.

Mary

[christyacc]

AA Post in June

Thanks for your post Mary. I have contacted my AA buddies and admitted my relapse. Tonight I will tell my daughters that I will head bck to AA. They will be thrilled.

[retteacher]

AA Post in June

I actually picked up a 24 hour chip & turned in my 3 medallions to indicate to my home group that I had relapsed. It was difficult but necessary. I give you a lot of credit for contacting your group & telling your daughters. Rigorous honesty never is. Remember it's one day at a time. Don't think ahead. Just do the next right thing. Good luck. Mary

[christyacc]

AA Post in June

Is that what I should do at my meeting? Bring in my chips?

[retteacher]

AA Post in June

You don't have to. I wanted to give back my medallions for year 1, 2, 3. I didn't give back my monthly chips. I did pick up new ones during my first year after the relapse. AA is a program in which you do what is right for you. Nobody told me to give my medallions back. I just felt I had to earn them back. So far I've earned 1 back. On Oct. 2, I get my 2nd one back. It feels right for me. Do what feels right for you. If you just feel that you want to go back to meetings, that's fine too.

I just got my second sponsor. My original sponsor died in May. I miss her, and did feel I needed another sponsor. So, just recently, I found someone w/a lot of years who I can relate to.

Again, there is no cookie cutter pattern you have to go by. Run your decisions by someone you trust & who has plenty of sobriety. Good luck. Mary