Hey guys. As I have stated many times before this Board and you guys are so much an important part of my recovery. Last night I got to thinking how Bill W. would react to the way the internet influences our recovery. I was thinking that when the program was started there was no such thing as the internet and therefore it had to be face to face with other alcoholics if one were to communicate with others in similiar situations. While I agree that face to face is probably a better method ,the internet I believe too is an effective tool. Also the writing that has to be done to communicate via the internet is something that I consider effective as well because aren't we putting "pen to paper" everytime we do so?.Therefore releasing what is bothering us in a therapeutic manner. My sponsor is very proud of my accomplisments and has told me on more than one occassion that my growth due in a large part to this board as surpassed some of those that who attend regular meetings.The BB and the daily reflections are also tools that I use daily and have come to rely on it as a guide of recovery.It is the WORD of B.W. and all his knowledege that one needs to recover if it is taken serioulsy. (which I do) I think Bill W. would be very proud that so many people can interact with each other and show one another support and give advice on the internet I think if he were alive he would be pleased and proud of those who have gone before helping others with their ESH via the internet. The world had become a smaller place due to technology and it is something that can be used to our advantage. It might not be as good as a one on one but it's the next best thing. Again just my humble opinion.Take care all and have a great day!
Good morning, Marie. I agree with all you said, however, the problem with the internet (and the phone as far as I'm concerned) is that it is very easy to lie. I could be sitting here blasted out of my gourd telling all that I was sober as a judge and who would know the difference as long as my typing was up to par? One thing about alcoholics is we need to learn to be accountable. That's why we get home groups. People see us on a day to day basis and know us well enough to know when something is wrong with us. If we disappear for a while someone will come looking for us. I don't talk to my sponsor as often as I did in the beginning but in early sobriety I saw my sponsor every day and called her at night to chat. The internet can be used as a tool I guess but it is nothing compared to face to face. I was asked in the beginning what lengths am I willing to go for my sobriety and I was willing to do anything they told me to do if it would keep me from getting high again. But I realize not everyone is me so I don't expect everyone to need what I needed back then.
smooches
smooches
Hey kat good point and one that I didn't think of. However as for me I can assure you I am sober when I type even if my spelling is not that good lol. Thanks for the input.....smooches back at ya
The Grapevine this month has a series of articles directly related to just such an issue, and the anonymity associated with the web. The rules are the same. Principles before Personalities, etc. of Tradition 12 hold true for AA here, as well. It's a direct result of reading Bill W. letter in the Grapevine that I've toned down my AA rhetoric, removed my photo/contact information, and made a plea for people using this medium (ARG) to be cognizant of others' anonymity--i.e., DON'T USE NAMES because of the familiarity which may over-ride the message.
This is a Recovery board, not and Alcoholics Anonymous fellowship. I'm guilty of espousing the AA Way because it's the only way I have managed to stay sober, but it's not to be shoved in every orifice a newbie has. I ALSO am free to practice my spiritual principles the way they are intended in my daily life. It's a fine line, but I'm new. AND not perfect. But I'm trying. Progress not perfections... ;)
Get a copy of this month's Grapevine and check it out. Directly relevant to this specific topic and has several articles on how to. Bill W. wrote his letter about burgeoning communications in the early sixties and they're still relevant today.
Kat: We'd know if you were hammered. You'd actually be SWEET! ~nudge~
Wet brains come into open meetings still. I guess they can lie to themselves here as well as anywhere else.
This is a Recovery board, not and Alcoholics Anonymous fellowship. I'm guilty of espousing the AA Way because it's the only way I have managed to stay sober, but it's not to be shoved in every orifice a newbie has. I ALSO am free to practice my spiritual principles the way they are intended in my daily life. It's a fine line, but I'm new. AND not perfect. But I'm trying. Progress not perfections... ;)
Get a copy of this month's Grapevine and check it out. Directly relevant to this specific topic and has several articles on how to. Bill W. wrote his letter about burgeoning communications in the early sixties and they're still relevant today.
Kat: We'd know if you were hammered. You'd actually be SWEET! ~nudge~
Wet brains come into open meetings still. I guess they can lie to themselves here as well as anywhere else.
I AM sweet, dammit.
Oh yeah, I forgot.
So who are you and what have you done with KatBird?
LOL
edited to fix:
So who are you and what have you done with KatBird?
LOL
edited to fix:
| QUOTE |
| The rules are the same. Principles before Personalities, etc. AND Tradition 12 hold true for AA here, as well. |
I nearly posted when you first did pirate but as I haven't been going to meetings I held back.
But I went to maybe 40 meetings last year and as of this afternoon (here) and thanks to Kat and skq I realise I need to keep going so I'll say what I was gong to say:
I was genuinely moved and inspired at each and every meeting I went to. I have never experienced people being so openly supportive and accepting of one another and of complete strangers. In my opinion if life outside that room was as spiritual and loving as inside it would be pretty close to Heaven on Earth. Maybe I'm just lucky with my locatoin 'cos I know it can't all be like that, but that's my experience. You really can feel the love, man....lol...
....this disease is so much more subtle than I realised....why would I stay away from that?
Martin
But I went to maybe 40 meetings last year and as of this afternoon (here) and thanks to Kat and skq I realise I need to keep going so I'll say what I was gong to say:
I was genuinely moved and inspired at each and every meeting I went to. I have never experienced people being so openly supportive and accepting of one another and of complete strangers. In my opinion if life outside that room was as spiritual and loving as inside it would be pretty close to Heaven on Earth. Maybe I'm just lucky with my locatoin 'cos I know it can't all be like that, but that's my experience. You really can feel the love, man....lol...
....this disease is so much more subtle than I realised....why would I stay away from that?
Martin
Martin:my nephew ( a recovering alkie himself,clean for 6 years now) was talking to me the other night(again thru internet lol) and he said something that made me think. He said "you know I actually feel sorry for people who were never addicts" I tend to agree with him. In recovery we learn so much about ourselves,other people and life. We are more appreciative of life and what it has to offer. There is no doubt there is a bond that exists between us addicts that is not possible with "normies" We know what it is to suffer and the courage and strength it takes to rise from the depths and the bottoms where alcohol and drugs have taken us.I am enjoying my journey immensely. I will never be normal and you know what Martin? for that I am grateful.
There are many forms and tools to be utilized in recovery. We can move them around like chess pieces. The most important is to stay in recovery, no matter which piece your using. They are interchangeable.
Gidday All
Any form of positive recovery is good but for me in a meeting i can be in a room and see a man in a suit and tie, a woman with full tatts(homemade), and they are talking the same endless hope and i can see it in there eyes and feel the energy in the room lifting my own energy and gratitude levels.
Face to face is so awesome because i can see and feel the good and the bad also i can get an angle on what intent things are said in, whereas on the net i sometimes get the intent all wrong in reading and in what i try to convey at times.
This board is really good for day to day contact when i can as there is only one meeting a week where i live and also reading the progress is always refreshing to my recovery and learning
light and love zac
Any form of positive recovery is good but for me in a meeting i can be in a room and see a man in a suit and tie, a woman with full tatts(homemade), and they are talking the same endless hope and i can see it in there eyes and feel the energy in the room lifting my own energy and gratitude levels.
Face to face is so awesome because i can see and feel the good and the bad also i can get an angle on what intent things are said in, whereas on the net i sometimes get the intent all wrong in reading and in what i try to convey at times.
This board is really good for day to day contact when i can as there is only one meeting a week where i live and also reading the progress is always refreshing to my recovery and learning
light and love zac
I agree that meetings are way more helpful then posting on a message board. Of course I am a newbie and only have 4 meetings under my belt. I went to an all woman's meeting today. There were some of the same women from the Tuesday meeting so I had some familiar faces but many new ones too. I just felt right at home there - so it looks like this will be my home group! I also felt that energy....like a positive light of hope. Afterwards I felt very comfortable chatting with these women whom I just met. I loved all the hugs too. You can't get hugs online and sometimes you just need a hug!
I do see this board as a very useful tool. Another way to check with other alcholics and for them to check on you. Someone said somethign about tools and I said just the same today!! I am going on 4 weeks of sobriety and I am learning how to find and use these tools towards a lifetime of sobriety. In fact I found a sponser - actually she found me. I called her yesterday since I was anxiouse to go out with my husband and his visiting Irish relatives in town. She told me not to focus on what others are doing or saying and that the next drink WILL lead me down a path of tragedy!! Those words helped me to sit comfortably near a beach bar while they drank Bud light... I dont' like bud light....anyway, my point is this board is another tool to put in my bag but I can see that AA meetings will be my primary one!
I do see this board as a very useful tool. Another way to check with other alcholics and for them to check on you. Someone said somethign about tools and I said just the same today!! I am going on 4 weeks of sobriety and I am learning how to find and use these tools towards a lifetime of sobriety. In fact I found a sponser - actually she found me. I called her yesterday since I was anxiouse to go out with my husband and his visiting Irish relatives in town. She told me not to focus on what others are doing or saying and that the next drink WILL lead me down a path of tragedy!! Those words helped me to sit comfortably near a beach bar while they drank Bud light... I dont' like bud light....anyway, my point is this board is another tool to put in my bag but I can see that AA meetings will be my primary one!
