Weekly AA Thread - Jan. 10 - 16

[j-vo]

Weekly AA Thread - Jan. 10 - 16

Hi Kim,
If you have a big book, I there is a chapter called "we agnostics" or something like that. Try reading that to see if that helps. You can also download the book online. I like Nora's suggestion, too!

[catch22]

Weekly AA Thread - Jan. 10 - 16

WOW there a lot of post here, first of all like to say welcome to all the newbie's

Second dancelot sorry to hear about your friend :l

AND Third i like to say am a year sober today and wanted to share some gratitude with you all x Thnaks so much for all your support in the past.

I did go to a meeting last night (been to my sponsor place had a coffeee and chat and will go to one tonight... to blow of my own trumpet
Looking back when i first went to AA meetings i was desprate but so in denial with me being desprate i did not show it, plus in my head my plan was to get better so and not to get too close to no one, but that was not the case by four months i reaslize i needed more meetings more then ever by 6 months something was missing i needed a sponsor and i just knew i needed to work the program 12months the penny drop from the sky for me that step 11 is my foundation i know i need to build on my foundation, but did not realise what it really was to build a quiet place for myself.
On Christmas eve i visit the cemetery and made my amends i wrote 3 letters out one to my mum dad and brother and said what i had to say and burn the letter i felt so good afterwards.
They say if you look after the pennies the pounds will look after themselves well if you look after the days (by looking after yourself) the months and years will look after themselves And that how it was for me.
I read my daily reflection today and i needed to read that one 100% powerless and live is unmanageable step1
my solution is step2,
my foundation is the pragram but it is also step11 which is very important for me today! to be connected to myself and my h/p
Step12 when am ready i help others and try to be part of which is for me helping out in anyway like making the tea's ect ect.
Christmas Morning and New Year morning if someone said to me i be making tea's for AA meetings i would of said no way but yeap i was there making tea's and coffee it really help me get through my christmas and new year!
When i here people say life is beyond there wildest dreams i can so understand now.
I do have bad days but am learning to copy with them.

Dancelot ...it intesting just b4 xmas i got a letter people that research ADHD in kings college i was just talking about this to mwo friend this morning about it, because of my son was hyper, they say poeple that dont grow out of ADHD some may become addicated to drugs Alcohol or get involved in crime. IT so goood to know there are people out there researching ADHD.
I still have a lot of sugar craving i know i need to cut down on that one, i have put on wieght but notthing beats being sober...

Thanks again for all your support and input that helps me a lot.x

[Kimberley]

Weekly AA Thread - Jan. 10 - 16

Catch I already congratulated you on a year sober on a thread on the main forum, but I would like to send some extra congratulations your way on the AA thread as well due to the fact that it is an amazing and fantastic achievement, so...

CoNgRaTuLaTiOnS!!!!!
K x

[AMELIA]

Weekly AA Thread - Jan. 10 - 16

Catch, Just logged on to see if you had posted.
I know how much this means to you honey. It was a long and bumpy road to get you to your first AA meeting (me too), but it is so worth it.
It takes what it takes to get us to that place.....As your quote at the bottom of your signature says:
True learning has often followed an eclipse, a time of darkness, but with each cycle of my recovery, the light grows stronger and my vision is clearer
My vision is getting clearing and my future brighter.

Well done on 365 days of sobriety!!!
Give yourself the biggest ever pat on the back.

Lots of love
Amelia xx

[retteacher]

Weekly AA Thread - Jan. 10 - 16

Catch: First, congratulations! I've heard said that the 1st year anniversary is the most meaningful. It certainly was for me. When I stood up in a meeting to accept my 1st year medallion, I broke down & cried in sheer gratitude. I hope your meetings have the tradition of presenting a medallion to those who have anniversaries. It's pretty thrilling, especially the first year. Great job!

Yes, the chapter to the agnostic is a good one for people struggling w/who or what their HP is. I heard in a meeting that when a member went to his sponsor w/his doubts about HP/God, his sponsor asked him to read the chapter to the agnostic every night before he went to sleep. Something came of that, as he formed a conception of what a HP could be for him. Many atheists & agnostics use the fellowship of AA as a HP. I certainly find that I feel some sort of presence in the room at certain meetings. There have been times when the sharings are so sincere that I walk out w/tears in my eyes.

Mary

[dancelot]

Weekly AA Thread - Jan. 10 - 16

Thanks, Catch! :l And.....

Congratulations On 1 Year Sober!!!!!!

Catch, I know you struggled for a long time, and it warms my heart beyond belief to see you reach this milestone! One of our members often ends her sharing by reminding us, "we are miracles," and it is so true. On Birthday Night when I got my 1 year chip, she gave me a little paperweight trinket thing that says on it "believe in miracles." Along with my 1 year chip, it means more to me than any little doodad ever has, and I keep it where I can see it every morning. We truly are miracles! I hope you are having a wonderful day! :h

[marriedgirl29]

Weekly AA Thread - Jan. 10 - 16

CONGRATULATIONS ON ONE YEAR TO CATCH!!!

[Horsegirl]

Weekly AA Thread - Jan. 10 - 16

:goodjob: Catch on your 1 year. Always enjoy reading your posts.

Its so wonderful to see new people here and hearing about their AA experiences.

This is the thread that gave me inspiration and courage to try AA, and I am so happy that others have found that also here.

I don't post often, but read faithfully every day and thank all of you for sharing. I live in a small community with only one AA group (that is mostly men), so I really enjoy hearing about everyone's experiences.

Even though the group here is small, it is a fairly solid group with a lot of old-timers. I am very grateful for that.

Thanks again everyone for having the courage to share your stories here, it helps many more people than you probably realize.



HG

[retteacher]

Weekly AA Thread - Jan. 10 - 16

Horsegirl: I love seeing you share here. I'm glad you have an AA group you can go to. Maybe someday your AA group will expand to a different night or different format. I feel blessed, because I could go to an AA meeting (within a 15 min. drive) every day of the week. I don't love them all the same, but I value them being there. Anyhow, it's great you have one at least in your small community.

And, yes, this really is a special thread. We're all speaking the same language & are on the same journey (w/variations here & there). Amazingly, the principles of the AA program are the same the whole world over.

Again, don't hesitate to share.

Mary

[j-vo]

Weekly AA Thread - Jan. 10 - 16

Catch,
Congratulations to you!!!!! Thanks for sharing your journey.

[marriedgirl29]

Weekly AA Thread - Jan. 10 - 16

Reteacher- I am in the same fortunate situation, I could go to 10 AA meetings a day within a 15 min drive, that is if they weren't at the same times, esp 10, 11:30,12 pm,1,3,5,6:30,8,12 AM.

I kind of did a bold thing for me today. I am a big time people pleaser and I also over the years have had one, and really only one consistent girlfriend that has stayed in my life, maid of honor at my wedding, etc. She and I have always spent most of our time hanging out partying- whether it be adderall, booze, marijuana, cocaine if we were out, etc. Esp booze, adderall and marijuana though. We totally joined forces (and at times scary level criminal minds) to get what we wanted to have a good time. In previous times of my recovery, she has always said she didn't understand why I couldn't have just one glass of wine, didn't get the total abstinence thing, etc. and when I would relapse her response would be, "Welcome back, THANK GOD!!!" She doesn't have a problem with drinking every day like I do.

She had called today and asked about hanging out this weekend, as I am on day 6 sober today,haven't had much chance to talk to her yet about things, I had hinted that I was slowing down but today when I called her back and left her a message I very clearly said "I would like to hang out this weekend, but I feel like I should tell you I'm not drinking and I don't care to be around drinking right now. I know when you don't have your kids it's your fun time, so I totally understand whatever you want to do, but if you want to come over, then that would be great." Underlying message: but it's just going to be sober hanging out, if you can deal with that.

Doesn't sound like much, but it's always been so hard for me to tell her and also my family that I'm in recovery. I feel like such a DORK saying this on the stupid voicemail. And I don't want her to think I don't care about her or don't want to be her friend anymore, or that I'm on some high horse, so I'm kind of freaking out that it sounded that way.

My sponsor has been saying that I need to protect my sobriety so I'm trying to put my ego and pride about admitting this to my best friend aside and take my sponsor's suggestion that I not be around booze. Even when my best friend knew I was in recovery before, she would say, is it ok if I drink? And I would always say yes (people pleaser) and watch her drink in front of me, she would bring her beer over.

I haven't talked to her and she hasn't called back since I left the message. My sponsor was very proud of me and said it sounded like I was really surrendering to do that. It's just a hard hard thing, if anyone else has any experience on this please share with me!

It's weird, but there's a part of me that's crying inside, almost feels like I'm breaking up with her just like I'm breaking up with alcohol and drugs. :upset:

Thanks!

[Kimberley]

Weekly AA Thread - Jan. 10 - 16

Hi Married,
Well done on taking that step - it can't have been easy. I have a few friends that have never really seen me sober and I'm not sure how I will get along with hanging out with them either - but I am just ignoring it for now and concentrating on my sobriety. I am too fragile at the moment to broach things like that. Good for you though - you are doing what is best for you. If she really is a good friend then she'll hang out with you no matter what. I know that the friends I am talking about would - they don't even get wasted, it's always me. It's just such a habit for me around these people that I can't trust myself until I've been AF a bit longer.
K x

[catch22]

Weekly AA Thread - Jan. 10 - 16

Thank you for all your wishes.x it means a lot...:l still feeling on a high, must come down gentle....

Married, reading your post sometimes we have to do things to help ourselves, it can be very hard but when you look back on this you know you did the right thing. Recovery comes FIRST, it sounds like you got a good sponsor there. And you know you have been there b4 and you know it not ok to drink. well done to you.x
I have always KEEP myself safe, it is very important to KEEP out of the danger zone. Remember this program is selfish one WE have to put ourselve's first if we want that sobriety so much.

I did go to a meeting last night and they all congratulated me afterwards, but they dont hand out the coin's there i will be getting might on the sunday meeting, i dont mine waiting because it so worth it,,, the wait.
Also at the meeting this guy shared i known him from day 1 at my home meeting, he shared how he had a long time AF and gone through the program, and shared how within six months he toook about 30 people through the program he said how his house was like a convey belt with people coming in and out, his got a heart of gold and will always help anyone but he keeeps on relapsing, his sponsor said to him you need to take care of YOU ! and he so right.He has people coming up to him saying thank you. I will not take people through the program not until i feel ready in myself, i needed to listen to this guy because he is soo honest to himself.
Got chatting to this other person after the meeting last night, talking about my home meeting that i always go to on a saturday morning and he said he thought that, that meeting was carnage:H well no wonder why i fitted in so well there:H, even my sponsor had said it a mad meeting but she love's it and so do i. Its a discussion meeting and you only share if you want to, we dont go round in any order, but everyone wants to share at this meeting, it give me courage to speak up and if i wanted to be heard or get something of my chest i needed to get in quick and share. The people there are just so honest to heart.:h
Dont think am going to get here 2morrow, but Take good Care of number1 first and keep safe.x

[catch22]

Weekly AA Thread - Jan. 10 - 16

Just notice Horsegirl your coming up to your 1year soon.x

[retteacher]

Weekly AA Thread - Jan. 10 - 16

MG: You did what you had to do. If your friend is a real friend, she'll come over & you'll hang out sober. I'm fortunate in that my old friends drink but not to excess. It doesn't bother me being at a dinner & seeing people drink ONE or TWO glasses of wine. In fact, it emphasizes to me that I could never drink like that, so I don't feel like I'm missing out. Much earlier in sobriety, we went to a wedding w/an open bar. You know how an open bar can be for some people (like the old me). As people got more & more plastered, we ended up leaving. Nobody missed us of course. I guess what I'm saying is that some social drinking doesn't bother me. Drinking to drunkenness does. I do whatever i have to do to protect my sobriety. It's the most precious thing I have. Without it, I have nothing. Mary