No Longer Alone

[caressa]

Alkiespeak - Book - Quote

It takes a lot of courage to stay sober. And if you don't have it, get it from the person sitting next to you, so you can recover for one more day. - Patti O.

Don't know about anyone else, but when I came into recovery, I felt like I had the weight of the world on my shoulders. I was just so hard done by don't you know. It didn't help that I was the "Unofficial Den Mother" to the women who lived at the YWCA.

It didn't help that I tried to drown my sorrows or stuff them, and not allow them to get in the way of my doing. I thought they were the solution. They were a problem, but the real issue was me. I had pushed everyone away, isolated not only my body, but my soul and was mental devastated.

The we part of the program is what saved me. We can do what I can't do alone. The people in the program loved me back to good health.

It took practice to reach out, but on the whole, all I had to do was show up at a meeting. It took willingness on my part, and an open mind to listen to what others had to say. I didn't even have to share until I was ready.

Each day is a new beginning. A new start on life and a chance to grow and share with others and give back what was so freely given to you.

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[caressa]

Today's Ready for Hour to Hour, continues the theme of recovery being a 'we' program:


Quote:
You may at times feel particularly antsy or confused. Like now. This is a normal reaction of withdrawing our bodies from chemicals and changing our past behavior. When this happens, we call another person, write down our feelings, pray about it, or do some physical activity.

Right this minute I am alright and I will fill the rest of this hour with one of the above activities.

[justoneme]

Hi Caressa.. thank you for your share. I too am seeing how alcohol and other substances have affected my body. I see now that even one drink makes me an alcoholic..but it is the Third Tradition that has and will continue to save my life. Now I have to have the courage.. and love to turn it over.. all of it !!

[BW]

Hi justone

Welcome and thank you for sharing
For me it was anything that would fill that black hole in my soul and I know today it is a soul sickness and as our Big Book says it is a spiritual malady and therefore requires a spiritual treatment and i find that in the steps and the principles of this awesome recovery journey

Thank you

[SunnyGirl]

Welcome JustOne....

Thank you for sharing and keep
coming back!

Peace on the journey, SG

[justoneme]

Thanks everyone. I got a 24 hour chip at a face to face meeting the other night. My fitst one in AA. I left in at the grave of a good friend who has passed.
I started my journey over 20 years ago when I entered Alanon to deal with someone who's drinking and sobriety had affected me. ( I thought .. or they thought) Again it's that Thrid tradition that I heard.. as I wondered why that times I woudl ahve one drink *thinking* it could solve or get rid of whatever I was feeling.
I did share with the person who gave em my chip. I started tearing up as I said I didn't want to be an alcoholic. I realized that the first alcoholic I knew was shamed and deemed "unl;oveable" by someone else. I had thought ( and still some times think) that as an alcoholic I won't be *loveable* !!

[caressa]

Thank you so much for sharing. I am so sorry I couldn't get back to you earlier, my computer was down and then I was down.

I too use to say the two important things to my sobriety were the 3rd and the 5th Traditions. I was in denial about my disease. I didn't want to wear a label I had put on my dad and my ex-husband, but I knew that alcohol was part of the equation. I think what opened my eyes was the fact that the substance is but a symptom of my disease and the problem is me. It is all an inanimate object until such a time as I choose to pick it up, and the only defense I have is the spiritual part of the program. When I take my God with me, I am no longer defenseless against my disease. When I surrender, ask for help, I am empowered to do what I need to do, for this 24 hours, to stay clean and sober, one day at a time.

God willing, I will be clean and sober 21 years in August, so it looks like we have a lot in common. Each day, is a daily journey, that I need to practice my program, the 12 steps and traditions as they become applicable, being ever aware as my disease tries to make itself known generally these days in the form of my eating disorder or tries to tempt me by misusing my medication to take away my pain, instead of taking it to my God in prayer.

I like your name. Just One Me. My spiritual advisor once told me she thought there were three of me. I tend to believe her when I go to the chiropractor and get my body in alignment and it takes a while for the mind to follow. I was so fragmented when I came into recovery. Didn't know which end was up, didn't know if I was coming or going. It is so good to be whole, and at one with my God today.

[SunnyGirl]

Jun 19, 2012 18:20:53 GMT -5 justoneme said:

Thanks everyone. I got a 24 hour chip at a face to face meeting the other night. My fitst one in AA. I left in at the grave of a good friend who has passed.
I started my journey over 20 years ago when I entered Alanon to deal with someone who's drinking and sobriety had affected me. ( I thought .. or they thought) Again it's that Thrid tradition that I heard.. as I wondered why that times I woudl ahve one drink *thinking* it could solve or get rid of whatever I was feeling.
I did share with the person who gave em my chip. I started tearing up as I said I didn't want to be an alcoholic. I realized that the first alcoholic I knew was shamed and deemed "unl;oveable" by someone else. I had thought ( and still some times think) that as an alcoholic I won't be *loveable* !!

Good Morning JustOne

First, I'd like to offer congrats on that 24 hour chip
and I wish you many more..... recovery is all about
one day at a time!

You mentioned "the alcoholic who was shamed and
deemed unlovable"... IMHO the person who said this
should look into the mirror and face their own faults.
I have 2 children, a sister and misc. other loved ones
who are addicted to either drugs, alcohol, gambling...
and I love each and every one of them. I hate the
disease and what it's done to their lives, but I love
the person. God loves each one of us, dispite our
diseases and defects of character.

Stay strong my friend, one day at a time.....

Peace on the journey, SG

[caressa]

How true SG. A lady said to me in early recovery, "Remember God doesn't make no junk!" It stuck with me all through recovery! I am a child of God in His care, if I wish to put myself there.

[justoneme]

Thanks all. I too have siblings who have issues with drugs and alcohol. I always thought it was *jsut* my brother but I see now that it is my sister as well !! In my family the men seemed to get blamed for a lot. But when the men are gone or the women can't change them as they'd like to ??!!?? the disease is still there !
This disease will catch up to people though. My 82 year old mother is drinkign. She always has but she would calm down each time she got herself a new man !!
I am so grateful to have 2 programs !!

[SunnyGirl]

And I am grateful for your shares.....

Life is so much simpler when we live it one day at a time!

Peace on the journey, SG

[caressa]

So glad you came back, hope you will continue to come and share your recovery with us.

We can't always see things in ourselves, but we see it in others, especially family. This is a program of reflection, perception, and as the saying goes, "it takes one to know one." I went to AA for my denial. I went to NA for my pill addiction and then I found out that they were like dried up alcohol, so I could go to AA for both. I went to Al-Anon and found myself. It showed me why I used in the first place, where all the emotions caused me to shut off and shut down. The dysfunction that taught me unhealthy ways to deal with life and the fears and habits developed over the years because I wasn't able to cope.

May your God continue to bless you.

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[DJgrrl]

I spent many years in Alanon. but as I got healthier I saw and heard thigns I didn't like. People found it acceptable..and it's ok for them but not for me.. to drink and takes prescription drugs tht personally I found I didn't want and didn't need !!
it seems so much cheaper and easier to take a pill or a drink or soemthing else. But as I see by the age of people in AA it will catch up to you !!

I msut say it is the Traditons that saved my life.. in both programs. Altough I am new in AA so I am afraid to challenge the use of the traditions. The gossip and dominance especailly !!

[SunnyGirl]

Good to see you on the boards DJ....

I've learned to ignore most of the stuff that I
disagree with, but will speak up if I need to.
BW mentioned in another post about how
humor can turn a difficult situation around.
Rule #62 ...Don't take yourself so darned
seriously! How important is it is another one!

My recovery is a journey, it's not just traditions
or steps or slogans.... It's turning my life over
to a Higher Power (whom I call God).... It's me
changing not those around me!

Have a wonderful day, SG

[BW]

But when the men are gone or the women can't change them as they'd like to ??!!??

One of the many difficult lessons tolearn on this journey of recovery is that we cannot change another person...nor will this journey of recovery be effective when I try to work it to please another person..I got to learn that I was worth it to work it for me and that the change had to begin within me. The amazing thing was that when I did allow the change within me, things around me appeared to change.

Today I am grateful to have a spritual tool box to deal with life on life's terms. I am also grateful I do not trudge this journey alone...and that is what I give you today...You are not alone.