If you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel. March down there and turn it on yourself.
action is the key to success in any endeavor
while patience is a virtue, some things just don't happen
on their own.
the past is prologue; learn from it
plan for the future; you shape it
live the present; you're in it
Failure is not falling down but refusing to get up.
for those of us who did not stay sober the first time around,
the slogan "you are not alone" certainly applies.
while I commend the rare person who can stay clean
and sober at 1st attempt, I will challenge their
presumption that most should be able to do so.
it is merely the nature of addiction that resists
treatment and continued recovery.
our primitive mid-brain has no conscience, fear
or lack of appetite for excess.
meetings, sponsors, prayers and steps are all
positive reinforcements; yet they can't always
prevent a slip.
the important thing for me was, letting go of any
guilt, shame or feelings of inadequacy.
sure there was disappointment; but that was
eased by the welcoming reception given by
most of those who really cared.
never allow anyone to demean, dismiss or deny
your sincerity, if you should relapse.
by the same token, show empathy and encourage
anyone who does, that it is a normal response,
and no one is immune to slipping.
"If you want happiness for an hour- take a nap.
If you want happiness for a day- go fishing.
If you want happiness for a month- get married.
If you want happiness for a year-inherit a fortune.
If you want happiness for a lifetime- help others."
an excellent perspective of the sometimes elusive feeling of happiness.
although part of "the promises", this new happiness is entirely
based on the individual's view of what makes them happy.
a common difficulty for us in recovery, is the instant
gratification we were used to. there was the ever-present
risk/reward daily drama.
it's a mystery at times, to actually realize what true
happiness is.
there are as many definitions of it, as there are
people.
while I still attempt to define it for myself,
I trust that it does NOT come in a bottle, pill or potion.
a holiday weekend sober; what a concept!
for a while it seemed almost odd to enjoy myself
without adding booze.
it is refreshing to be able to interact, entertain
and have a good time with folks without the
formerly standard supply of alcohol.
while this comfy feeling hasn't come quickly,
it kind of gradually happened over time.
all the old "romancing the high" thoughts have
finally faded into near obscurity.
I try to never judge those who drink,
and I'm never ashamed to admit I enjoyed it,
but now just explain that; "what used to turn me on,
turned on me"!
kind of a humorous simplification about the stages of alcoholism.
of course, the time element and severity differs widely among us.
a common element, the slow to progress share, is the inability to see it.
in the rare instance when we do become aware, we try the "control method".
it can be quite the eye-opener, to accept there is no going back point.
while it would have been nice to accept sooner, it had to take every failed
try at control, to get where i am today...
honest,
content,
and caring.
so true!!
I laugh at the debate and combat that some religions engage in.
although I did appreciate my catholic upbringing, it did not
translate well to gaining spirituality.
it is nice to be out of the debate today, and just live my life
honestly, with concern for my fellows.
an afterlife has become way too much for me to truly fathom.
thought for today;
Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; Responsibility for all your actions.
p.s.
this just in...
| ATHEISTS ARE NICE PEOPLE WHO WILL ROAST IN HELL, SAYS CARDINAL |  |  |
ATHEISTS and agnostics are decent people whose tormented souls will burn for all eternity in the scorching fires of hell, Britain's biggest catholic said last night.
another country heard from!
The consensus among modern health care professionals, including the American Medical Association (AMA), is that drug addiction is a disease. Theories concerning its origins embody the classic "nature vs. nurture" arguments: Does one become an addict because of genetics, environment and upbringing, or a combination thereof? It may be safely concluded that the origins of drug addiction are many, and complex.
There is no real evidence of the dominance of one over the other.
this is a difficult diagnosis to make, considering the various paths
alcoholics and addicts take throughout their experience with substance
abuse.
I am encouraged that the research is geared to exploring every
avenue, and not just concluding "it's just this, or only that".
The bottom line for me is, it doesn't really matter.
Spending years analyzing how and why I progressed
to the point of no return, was an exercise in futility.
curiosity still exists as to the how and why, but today
my research is done through our sober house and
from a myriad of experts in the fields of psychology,
sociology, medicine and good old fashioned trial
and error.
Yes, it's bound to be bumpy, frightening, exhilarating and satisfying.
I have no clue what it's like to have 5 years clean & sober.
however if I continue my journey "out of the woods", I guess
I will find out in about 6 months.
The question asked of me by counselors with each return
to rehab, was "what's going to be different this time?"
Each time I had no logical answer; my response would be,
"I don't know, but I'm here!"
Looking back there were many reasons for ultimate relapse.
Part of it was returning to home, job, old friends and haunts.
The familiarity and temptations associated with it all, were
just too much to handle.
I'm so fortunate today to be away from all those people,
places and things.
Euphoric recall is a powerful stumbling block;
It's taken this long to finally play the tape ALL
the way to end...I don't want a decade of misery,
for a few moments of intoxication.
Don't follow the crowd...stay true to yourself.
This is important for me; though the practice
is contrary to many program beliefs.
Conformity is the norm in AA, and any straying
from the group path is frowned upon.
While that was useful for me early on, I began
to question the value of some of the practices.
Today I don't conform to some of the outdated
and ineffective suggestions that are rarely
questioned by others.
My path has to be somewhat influenced by
various outside factors; but the bottom line
still rests on remaining true to myself.
