Lately I've been thinking that all the drinking I've done could simply come down to personal choices, bad ones. Maybe that's why I've been feeling so good, now that I can make some better ones. Big self esteem boost! I decided many many times to do something about my drinking over the years, and it was truly a miserable experience every time I quit for a few days, weeks, even months. So I knew I was in for a tough fight this time around, and that's why I chose to use all the weapons available to me from RJ's book, and my own resources.

I've never taken a prescription drug long term, because I prefer to address my health concerns naturally, but dealing with my alcohol problem is THE number one priority, so I decided to make a shift in my beliefs about drugs, at least temporarily (OK I'm going off topa, but it was a tool that I found very helpful in the beginning. I may use it again if i decide to try moderating in the future.) The point is I made a conscious decision not to be held back by one of my belief systems. Because our own thinking is a paradigm that can change according to our needs if we're willing, but if we refuse to consider choices outside that paradigm, we may cut ourselves off from just what we need.

Donna. your remark about personal choices, and some other things going on around the boards made me think about this today. It just seems a shame to me that people are suffering, but then stand in their own way because they don't want to step outside their comfort zone long enough to even consider a different idea. Myself included of course, sorry if that all sounded preachy, just some thoughts.

Deirdre