MWO...and what it means to you, words on a screen?

[akgirl]

I have given a lot of thought to what MWO means to me. I have met some wonderful people here and love the encouraging words and support I get here. I have also made some life long friends. But another part of me feels like, and I hope I don't offend, these are just words on a screen. I have over the last year just stopped coming because of my failures. Its like I pick and choose when this place is helpful and also withdraw when I feel ashamed. There are many times I don't feel worthy to post and others when I just feel like anything I say would be....just words on a screen. But then there are times I post something that means something to someone and I am.....well glad again to be part of something that in some way if it help just one person, then it means something. I have never posted on any other forum than this, and even after a year it is still new. Sometimes it seems like just words on a screen and others it feels like all I have. Over the last year I have watched many come and go and wonder......what does MWO mean to you?


Any thoughts? And thank you all who have given me hope.
:l
Ak

[aliame]

MWO...and what it means to you, words on a screen?

MWO is an opportunity to talk about al in a way I cannot do any where else, with an honesty I cannot share elsewhere.

[dancelot]

MWO...and what it means to you, words on a screen?

akgirl-

Your last line says it best. It gives me hope. And if I'm feeling low, sometimes giving a "hello, welcome", and a little encouragement to a new person makes makes me feel my day was maybe not a total waste, and maybe gave them a little more hope.

It's a place that keeps me honest with myself, reminds me where I've been and how far I've come, makes me laugh, makes me want to cry sometimes. It's a place where I learn something every day.
So don't ever feel words are just empty. MWO has made my first 25 days AF much more bearable and honestly given me hope that I can continue being AF than ever in my life.

[keeta]

MWO...and what it means to you, words on a screen?

MWO has been an opportunity for me to save my life.

This is not an exagerration.
If I had continued to drink as I was when I finially GOT it in November of 2008 (not my join date...it took me a while to get my shit together), I would be dead, or well on my way there.

Thank you ak, for reminding me to be more grateful, and to express it.

[JackieClaire]

MWO...and what it means to you, words on a screen?

MWO has given me my life back.

I now have a reason to get out of bed. I read the posts. I post most days even just to say HI.

I wouldn't be sitting here today without you kind, generous ,wise people.

I now go out of the house to see the few friends I have left.

love Jackie xxx

AF since 7/7/2009

[redhibiscus]

MWO...and what it means to you, words on a screen?

To me, MWO means second chances. I have tried for years to get a grip on my drinking and this program and site has helped me more than any other option I have tried. It is about sharing this journey of getting it right. For each person that right may be different, but we share all our stories and we can create the plan that works best for us. This site is about quality of life and creating the best for yourself while helping others to do the same.

I have tried and failed numerous times, but I know that I can come back to this site and find support, learn from others, and give back whatever I can. I don't have to give up on myself. So, please don't give up on your recovery efforts. Many times it takes many tries but that is past of recovery. I don't know of too many people who get it right the first time.

[mario]

MWO...and what it means to you, words on a screen?

Though I achieved sobriety on my own, I am grateful for this site now cause there are always times I could slip and reading peoples posts makes me realise how lucky I am to have come so far. It is also fantastic to watch people on their journey and help if I can. A big thank you to all on this site and especially to mwo for enabling us to speak the unspeakable and allow ourselves to fail without fear of judgement, but also to celebrate our achievements without feeling we are boasting. People in the real world are not always as understanding as we might need them to be.

[river0123]

MWO...and what it means to you, words on a screen?

I haven't been on here in a long time but for some reason felt compelled to check the boards.

Every morning I wake up full of thanks for this site. It truly saved my life and my relationships with my kids. When I started the program last year, I was so full of despair. Today I feel so strong and blessed, even while I still go through major struggles with hubby and his drinking. I am confident in myself and what I can accomplish, because I struggled and every test along the way just made me stronger. I feel like the movie line from the Shawshank Redemption, "he crawled through a river of shit and came through clean on the other side".
Never give up hope!

[Mstall]

MWO...and what it means to you, words on a screen?

Though i dont post often and havent connected really with people here. I feel among comrades in my journey to becoming AF.

I know I wouldnt be at 29 days AF without this place. It's taught me so much and keeps me sober, reading about other folks just like me. I dont feel so alone.

I am very very grateful to have found this safe spot.

[puddytat]

MWO...and what it means to you, words on a screen?

the exact opposite of 'words on a screen'! real ppl

What MWO means:
? A place of support ? yet with respect for each individual needing to find their own way out.

? A place peopled with wise, open-minded, conscientiously kind folks. (No ?sheeples? -- i.e. no herd or sheep mentality, blindly following a doctrine, or needing to ?put on a show? because of other family or community or legal/probationary entanglements.)

? A place where it?s okay to struggle and fail and have false starts and relapses: these are understood. Not encouraged, mind you! (no enabling here), but I am realizing there is an understanding and tolerance for the idea that it can be quite a process to tame the lizard brain. (I hear ya, AKgirl, about failing and disappearing for awhile? one of my goals for Sept. is to not disappear!)

? Paradox I?ve noticed: the TRUE ANONIMITY afforded by ?a screen-name and an avatar? I believe, brings out the BEST in people. Not just words on a screen!! Real people, who feel real safe to talk about their real struggles, real techniques (for fighting the beast), real stumbling blocks, real feelings, and real successes. (Long-winded further explanation: AA strives for anonymity, but can?t really achieve it (tongues are bound to wag, you hate to disappoint your sponsor because they?ll take it personally, you know people in the community, you?re in legal trouble and need to be on straight-n-narrow, etc.) So face-to-face can sometimes compromise honesty as the need to keep up appearances and to be part of the herd can take over -- at least in some situations.)

? A place to find alcoholics who are really motivated and trying to get well !!! Conventional treatment programs and even A.A. are, IMHO, so overly-skewed to enforced participation from the courts, corporations, divorce situations, and other legal enforced participation ? it can be hard to find a genuine people to talk with about our shared misery. (At least, this is my personal experience based on two inpatient programs, and SOME (not all) AA meetings.)

? A place to find plain ?ole alcoholics! And their similar/shared understanding of how hard it can be to kick the drink!! Because, I?m told cigarettes are way harder, and other drugs like meth, cocaine/crack, heroin, Oxycontin and other pain pills are, I guess, WAY HARDER!! And, so amongst mixed addicts, I feel like such a LOSER that my problem is MERE ALCOHOL.

? A place to form individual relationships, if desired: privately, gently, and safely.

? A place that is my lifeline, even when I?m in lurker-mode. (Which I?m trying to stay out lurker-mode by continuing to post?.)

Thanks for the thread, AKgirl. These are ideas and feelings I?ve thought of expressing, and you provided the perfect thread to do so. Am curious to see how others think/feel
AK, keep posting, OK? I mean, if you want to.

Puddy

[akgirl]

MWO...and what it means to you, words on a screen?

Your welcome Puddy,

This place is my lifeline too.

:l
Ak

[Wally22]

MWO...and what it means to you, words on a screen?

It's the one place I can be honest about my alcoholism. I don't talk about it anywhere else. It's a safe place to come to, when I need someone who understands. It's the place that gave me the tools to sober up. Even if I don't always use them. It's my refuge.

[Bree]

MWO...and what it means to you, words on a screen?

MWO kick started my AF days, and I am thankfully heading into my 4th week.
Posting here most days or just logging on to see who's about has kept me AF.
Encouragement, laughter, sadness, dispair, lonliness, it's all here on MWO, and so much more. We are all in the same boat, rowing the one way, but sometimes the current takes some of us a different direction, but if we continue to row together, we will get back on course.
Keep posting, and it's great to hear when people are after staying AF, no matter if it's two days or 200 days,

love to all

Bree:l

[ChickenNumber3]

MWO...and what it means to you, words on a screen?

Its the safe haven where I am free to be the real me and where I am most honest with myself!
Great thread!
Chicken

[beatle]

MWO...and what it means to you, words on a screen?

puddytat;708491 wrote: What MWO means:
? A place of support ? yet with respect for each individual needing to find their own way out.

? A place peopled with wise, open-minded, conscientiously kind folks. (No ?sheeples? -- i.e. no herd or sheep mentality, blindly following a doctrine, or needing to ?put on a show? because of other family or community or legal/probationary entanglements.)

? A place where it?s okay to struggle and fail and have false starts and relapses: these are understood. Not encouraged, mind you! (no enabling here), but I am realizing there is an understanding and tolerance for the idea that it can be quite a process to tame the lizard brain. (I hear ya, AKgirl, about failing and disappearing for awhile? one of my goals for Sept. is to not disappear!)

? Paradox I?ve noticed: the TRUE ANONIMITY afforded by ?a screen-name and an avatar? I believe, brings out the BEST in people. Not just words on a screen!! Real people, who feel real safe to talk about their real struggles, real techniques (for fighting the beast), real stumbling blocks, real feelings, and real successes. (Long-winded further explanation: AA strives for anonymity, but can?t really achieve it (tongues are bound to wag, you hate to disappoint your sponsor because they?ll take it personally, you know people in the community, you?re in legal trouble and need to be on straight-n-narrow, etc.) So face-to-face can sometimes compromise honesty as the need to keep up appearances and to be part of the herd can take over -- at least in some situations.)

? A place to find alcoholics who are really motivated and trying to get well !!! Conventional treatment programs and even A.A. are, IMHO, so overly-skewed to enforced participation from the courts, corporations, divorce situations, and other legal enforced participation ? it can be hard to find a genuine people to talk with about our shared misery. (At least, this is my personal experience based on two inpatient programs, and SOME (not all) AA meetings.)

? A place to find plain ?ole alcoholics! And their similar/shared understanding of how hard it can be to kick the drink!! Because, I?m told cigarettes are way harder, and other drugs like meth, cocaine/crack, heroin, Oxycontin and other pain pills are, I guess, WAY HARDER!! And, so amongst mixed addicts, I feel like such a LOSER that my problem is MERE ALCOHOL.

? A place to form individual relationships, if desired: privately, gently, and safely.

? A place that is my lifeline, even when I?m in lurker-mode. (Which I?m trying to stay out lurker-mode by continuing to post?.)

Thanks for the thread, AKgirl. These are ideas and feelings I?ve thought of expressing, and you provided the perfect thread to do so. Am curious to see how others think/feel
AK, keep posting, OK? I mean, if you want to.

Puddy

Great thread, akgirl. And there are lots of great contributions here.

Puddytat, I couldn't have put it all together better (could anyone?) (And I love your avatar and signature quote.)