Anniversary Meeting

[lildee]

Last night I attended an Open Anniversary meeting for CA. It was awesome! There were 6 recipients. Ranging in time from one year to 17 years clean and sober. Just as varied as the people on the dias so were there shares. Some were still focused on their war stories but most focused on some real ESH. Many brought up family and how supportive they have been and how much damage they did to their families. And how grateful they are for the program.

But the best share came from the old timer. He said " How do you work this program? Simple...... Don't pick up, get to meetings, get a sponsor, work the Steps and most of all CHANGE !"

"Change the way you think, change the way you act, Change your whole life. Because what was your life before out drinking and drugging? That is what this whole program is about. Change. Changing the way you think, changing your attitude. By changing the way you think you now have something new.... Choice. A choice to use or stay clean, a choice to be responsible, a choice to how you want to lead your life."

I realize this was a CA meet but this share can apply to all 12 Steppers. Admitting our powerlessness opens up a whole new realm for us. Change & Choice.

How have you changed while in the Program ?

[Lin]

I have changed in tons of ways. I changed by allowing my HP to be an important part of my life. I changed how i act and react around others around me. I changed how I think about myself and improved my own self esteem. I also now stand up for myself and for wht I want in life. I allowed others to walk over me and treat me unfairly my whole life. Today I tactfully wont allow that.

LIN

[caressa]

Awesome post and a good question my friend and raises a lot of thought within me and hopefully in others and will make them look at themselves. So many times we can get complacent, and because we are comfortable where we are at, we tend to hesitate about taking that step which will take you out of that space onto something new.

Each day, I choose to stay clean and have a willingness to go to any length.

Each day, I choose to pick up the phone and share with friends and my sponsor, along with my sponsees, how I feel instead of keeping everything a secret within me.

Each day, I choose to keep an open mind and willing to learn new things and accepting of other's ideas and concepts, not just my own.

Each day, I take my defects and shortcomings to my Higher Power as they make themselves glaringly apparent, rather than act out in them.

Each day, I take my emotions and feelings and express them in a healthy way, instead of acting them out and projecting them onto others.

Each day, I choose to do a reality check.

Each day, I take time to affirm myself and look at the direction I am heading and where I have been.

Each day, I try to be a friend amongst friends and take my program out of the rooms and practice it in my life.

Each day, I try to remember to be grateful and show it in some way to others inside and outside of recovery.

Each day, I choose to treat myself. I am worthwhile.