Thursday Chip----Honest/Dishonest

[Misty]

I didn't make my meeting last nite
cuz we had thunderstorms and hail and a tornado warning going on. I
have to be honest and tell you that
I don't like to drive in those conditions. I do have to be honest
with myself and make up the meeting
today. Are you honest or dishonest
please let me know! Thanks-Mistyeve

[Lin]

I usd to be very dishonest with MYSELF... And I was often dishonest with OTHERS when I covered up for the drinking or pills used by others. Today I dont do that. I may not tell it ALL, but I dont LIE.

Example...last fall my spouse had a long bought with depression and suicidal thoughts. he also relapsed and was drinking and taking pills. He went to a hospital for 3 weeks for the depression as well as rehab. When people asked where he was I told them he was in St. Louis at the hospital. When they asked what was wrong I told them depression. TRUE...jsut did not feel I needed to tell others he was in rehab too. That one kinda reminds me of the principle of anonymity. HE told folks he was ging up to see why he had a pain in his leg. (he even told his AMILY that one. ) His business if he wants to be dishonest. Perhaps that was pride or embarrassment for him.

Today i am honest with myself. If i dont want to do something, I dont lie and tell another i will do ti.

We also had storm and tornado warnings last nigth. I guess I slept thru whatever happened here. I know the power went out for a while because certain things notified us as they went back on and i heard that.

Good for you to make up the missed meeting! I dont have that luxury. Ours was closed this week, so I go next week. My work schedule wont allow me to get to all of the AlAnon meetings in the area.

LIN

[Misty]

Dear Lin----You brought up and interesting point about the fine line between honesty and ananimity.
I have a hard time telling the difference where one starts and one
ends. I guess what ever feels the most comfortable to do then go with
that! Thanks for stopping by! Glad
you survived the storms!---Mistyeve

[~graced~]

I used to pride myself on saying I was an 'upfront and brutally honest' kinda person. What I shoulda been saying is "I have the right to say what I think and YOU'RE gonna d**n well listen and LIKE it, cuz what I think is paramount!"
Oh yeah, I have the right to say anything I like--I'm also responsible for anything that comes outta my mouth. THAT'S the part I didn't like...LOL

I think of that line out of "A Few Good Men", with Jack Nicholson glaring at Tom Cruise, spitting "The TRUTH?! You couldn't handle the truth!" Pure ego and anger at having to get honest--that was me when I walked in the door and long after I sat my rear in the chairs of A.A.

I didn't wanna tell the truth about ME. I wanted to tell the truth about YOU.
Mostly, it was to hide what I didn't like, what I knew was wrong--to avoid accountability for my decisions.
My anger accentuated that there was a problem, however it did nothing to change it.
Lie...lots. That was my solution, even in recovery.

And it wasn't a lie if it was 'omission' of fact.
*shaking head*

I get to practice that first principle of that first step every day, day in day out.
Honesty is the lack of intent to DECEIVE oneself or others, absense of the truth is a lie.
I get to be honest SOMEWHERE, with someone, with myself and with G-d....every day, day in day out.

And frankly, if I want what they have, I best be willing to go to any lengths to get it.
And today, I want a good, sober, integrity filled life.

I lived the other end of the spectrum and I couldn't live with ME.

[caressa]

Today, I had an honest-to-goodness reality check. I have not been feeling very well for some time now, and I can get into those poor mes, but today on the bus to get my eyes checked; there was a guy on the bus, whose face was badly scarred, red and disfigured. I looked at him and said a prayer. He ended up getting off the same stop as I did and showed me where to go to get to the clinic. It had grown up with new building since I had been there and couldn't see the place from the bus stop. When I said, "Thank You," he didn't know how much he had helped me.

It seems that everytime I get into the poor mes, God brings someone into my life and tells me to get honest. Today I know I never had it so good. There are so many people far more misfortunate than I am.

[Misty]

My Very Dear Articulate Graced----
Wow! You sure hit lots of nerves with me! LOL I love what you said
about I want to be honest about you
an NOT about me. That describes me
when I first came in AA and even now at times. It is soooo much easier to take the other person's
inventory!!! LOL Yeah I am trying
to live just the opposite of how I
did live and it is a much better life. Thank you so very much for stopping by! Honest Hugs & Thanks!
Mistyeve

Dear Caressa----You probably made that poor disfigured man feel real
important and smart. He probably doesn't get asked for help too often (just a guess) He also made you feel grateful so it was a double blessing for both of you. I
love hearing about stuff like this!
Glad you could stop by to share....
Mistyeve