First what I had to do was admit that I was an alcoholic and that my life was unmanageable. Then I surrendered my will and my life to God...and I continue to do so on a daily basis. This is how I maintain my sobriety:
Make a conscious contact with God (my Higher Power) throughout the day only praying for his will for me.
Go to a meeting daily (AA), if possible, (since I used and drank on a daily basis).
Read the "Big Book" of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Follow the direction of a Sponsor.
Work & LIVE the 12 steps of the Recovery program which I am proud to say I am a member of.
Take commitments at the meetings.
Am of service to my fellows and never turn down an opportunity to help another addict or alcoholic
If I work this maintenance plan on a daily basis the rest just follows and I am usually not given more than I can handle. Don't get me wrong, life is in session and I have good days and bad days ~ I just know how to walk through the good and the bad soberly.
I just worked my 11th step last night and looking forward to completing the 12th step work ~ I am ready to give back what so freely given to me and Sponsor other women...
Remember it's just One Day at Time..Peace & Serenity, VWGirl
hey girl. you are needed here. good to "see" you.
Thanks Bob B, Thank you for the warm message...If I'm not giving back the "gift" I received on 11/22/03 I'm not working a Program of action...Everyday I walk and talk with God now ~ I can't believe the miracle he has worked in my life. Thankfully, God is in charge of my life and not me...because without him I would have no life, I do believe believe that...hope you and yours are doing well...Peace & Serenity, VWGirl
i'm doing well, thank you for asking.
and my 25 year old son tells me he is sober now for over 165 days. he has a sponsor (a very tough and straightforward one), he's working the steps -- still struggling though step 4, going to meetings -- three to five a week, has returned to sunday Mass (we're roman catholic), has made a sacramental confession, is meditating daily, is staying away from old friends and is making new ones, found a new job, and is living in a 3/4 house with 5 others in recovery.
i trust life in california is still good.
you've mentioned many times that you walk and talk with god all day long. you have shared so much, i would like to share with you a little habit i formed some time ago that helps me be mindful of God during the day. you know, our memories are sometimes so bad and our attention span so short -- and we are so easily distracted. so i formed a little habit, that whenever i see or hear a bird, i think of god. it's amazing how well it has worked. and it's amazing how often we are not in tune with nature as we go about our business. and so often, like a radio playing background music, i don't realize how active the birds are. singing, and flying and chirping, or just sitting on a fence or on a wire. anyway, just thought i'd share that little spiritual exercise with you -- not sure why. but, tommorrow or tonite, if you see or hear one of our feathered friends, think of God and say a little prayer for me and my family.
peace.
Good Morning Bob B,
I am very happy to hear that your son has turned his life over and is taking the action to stay sober. It isn't always easy but it certainly is the better way. I, too, am Roman Catholic. In fact I just attended Mass for the first time in a long time I found it whole new experience since I am sober now. I hope to incorporate Mass back into my life as part of my 11th step...perhaps you wouldn't mind me asking you theological/doctrine questions that come up for me in regard to the Church?
In regard to your spiritual exercise that you suggested to me...how weird is this? Since I work a Program of Mind, Body and Spirit I also have begun exercising (walking/runnng & a little strengthening work). Yesterday morning, God totally revealed himself to me and his awesome power and strength when I saw the following: birds, 2 seals, a squirrel and the almighty ocean! What a coincidence you mentioned birds to me! I will never forget your suggestion as long as I live.
Have a GREAT day!
Peace & Serenity,
VWGirl
I am very happy to hear that your son has turned his life over and is taking the action to stay sober. It isn't always easy but it certainly is the better way. I, too, am Roman Catholic. In fact I just attended Mass for the first time in a long time I found it whole new experience since I am sober now. I hope to incorporate Mass back into my life as part of my 11th step...perhaps you wouldn't mind me asking you theological/doctrine questions that come up for me in regard to the Church?
In regard to your spiritual exercise that you suggested to me...how weird is this? Since I work a Program of Mind, Body and Spirit I also have begun exercising (walking/runnng & a little strengthening work). Yesterday morning, God totally revealed himself to me and his awesome power and strength when I saw the following: birds, 2 seals, a squirrel and the almighty ocean! What a coincidence you mentioned birds to me! I will never forget your suggestion as long as I live.
Have a GREAT day!
Peace & Serenity,
VWGirl
i am so happy for you that you have returned to Mass, WWGirl. Wow ! There are so many graces received in offering ourselves to God at Mass.
God reveals himself to us in so many ways, with a little willingness on our part.
and yes, please ask your questions, i would be pleased and honored to help in any way i can.
the birds have a whole new meaning to me, and i'm glad we are able to share that. i got the notion from a little line of scripture that says, and i'm paraphrasing, "consider the sparrows, does not God take care of each and every one of them. they are not anxious about where they will receive food, etc. If God will take care of the sparrow, how much more will he take care of you?"
now, i must say though, when a flock of pigeons approach, i still take cover !
may you have peace in your day, WWGirl.
Good Evening Bob B, Guess what??? Right when I approached the door to my office building this morning a little sparrow was jumpin' around right in front of me...coincidence, I think not! I love the biblical analogy that you provided me with.
Question for you in regard to the Eucharist. Since I am an alcoholic I will refrain from drinking from the cup. What is the Church's stance on this...? I am asking this merely out of curiousity. I know years ago it was asked at a religious education class I was taking and the Priest said it was fine to drink from the Chalice if you are a recovering alcoholic ~ but I can't remember what is reasoning was; perhaps the wine turning to the blood of Christ...? I know it is not an option for me to partake in that part of the Eucharist, however does the Church frown on that?
Well, I'm gonna hit the pillow clean and sober tonight...amazing...isn't it?
Peace & Serenity to you and yours, Bob B. VWGirl
Question for you in regard to the Eucharist. Since I am an alcoholic I will refrain from drinking from the cup. What is the Church's stance on this...? I am asking this merely out of curiousity. I know years ago it was asked at a religious education class I was taking and the Priest said it was fine to drink from the Chalice if you are a recovering alcoholic ~ but I can't remember what is reasoning was; perhaps the wine turning to the blood of Christ...? I know it is not an option for me to partake in that part of the Eucharist, however does the Church frown on that?
Well, I'm gonna hit the pillow clean and sober tonight...amazing...isn't it?
Peace & Serenity to you and yours, Bob B. VWGirl
hello, WWGirl. abolutely the church does not frown on it. and the reason is communion under either species is full and complete unto itself, just as one particle of host is as sufficient as a complete host.
and i wouldn't hesitate to encourage an alcoholic to "pass" on the cup.
we all know that not all priests are conversant in the disease of alcoholism. that's not to condemn them, nor does it diminish their role or effectiveness as a priest.
on the other side of the coin, there are many alcoholic priests in recovery who suffer from the disease, for the disease is universal and knows no boundaries. and when you find one, you will find wonderful compassion and understanding -- many times it's a gift to them that causes them to be "better" priests in their own way.
on own other little subject, we are told in scripture to "pray constantly," which is hard to do. not totally impossible, but hard nevertheless, because we have many things to do in the world (our world) and are so easily distracted. so, looking back over the day at the end of the day, we can see when we were not in prayer and when we were not mindful of god. i can be outside, in nature, and never really notice the birds -- but they are almost always there. they are almost always singing, but i don't notice them -- they are not conscious to me. and when i alert myself to them or they attract my attention, then -- just like god, they are there. there's so many of them, they really are almost always present -- like God is. and when i bring them to consiciousness -- whammo -- there they are, either in sight, or singing, or chirping, or flying.
and then there a some few times when they are nowhere to be found. and there are times where it seems that God is nowhere to be found -- like when he's distant or seeming to be not answering prayer. but, just like with our feathered friends, he's really is always there, just hidden a bit from us.
thanks for letting you share this meditation this morning.
and i am so glad for you that you have "re-discovered" Mass and the sacraments. they are so powerful, and were intended for our use. i prayed for you at morning mass today. please pray for me during your walk -- and watch out for sea-gulls !
by the way, there's a little book that you might enjoy, if you like to read. it's titled "Father Fred and the 12 Steps." it's not religous; it's an alcoholic priest's lectures on the steps -- he's dead now, but it really is a worthwhile read. he was clean and sober and in recovery for many years and someone convinced him to let them publish his lectures. i found it in a catholic bookstore. just thought i'd mention it.
you're a miracle !
and i wouldn't hesitate to encourage an alcoholic to "pass" on the cup.
we all know that not all priests are conversant in the disease of alcoholism. that's not to condemn them, nor does it diminish their role or effectiveness as a priest.
on the other side of the coin, there are many alcoholic priests in recovery who suffer from the disease, for the disease is universal and knows no boundaries. and when you find one, you will find wonderful compassion and understanding -- many times it's a gift to them that causes them to be "better" priests in their own way.
on own other little subject, we are told in scripture to "pray constantly," which is hard to do. not totally impossible, but hard nevertheless, because we have many things to do in the world (our world) and are so easily distracted. so, looking back over the day at the end of the day, we can see when we were not in prayer and when we were not mindful of god. i can be outside, in nature, and never really notice the birds -- but they are almost always there. they are almost always singing, but i don't notice them -- they are not conscious to me. and when i alert myself to them or they attract my attention, then -- just like god, they are there. there's so many of them, they really are almost always present -- like God is. and when i bring them to consiciousness -- whammo -- there they are, either in sight, or singing, or chirping, or flying.
and then there a some few times when they are nowhere to be found. and there are times where it seems that God is nowhere to be found -- like when he's distant or seeming to be not answering prayer. but, just like with our feathered friends, he's really is always there, just hidden a bit from us.
thanks for letting you share this meditation this morning.
and i am so glad for you that you have "re-discovered" Mass and the sacraments. they are so powerful, and were intended for our use. i prayed for you at morning mass today. please pray for me during your walk -- and watch out for sea-gulls !
by the way, there's a little book that you might enjoy, if you like to read. it's titled "Father Fred and the 12 Steps." it's not religous; it's an alcoholic priest's lectures on the steps -- he's dead now, but it really is a worthwhile read. he was clean and sober and in recovery for many years and someone convinced him to let them publish his lectures. i found it in a catholic bookstore. just thought i'd mention it.
you're a miracle !
Thx Bob B ~ Gotta run to work...I appreciate your reply. Saw a hummingbird this a.m. during my jog/walk! Peace & Serenity, VWGirl...I'll check in with you over the w/e.
Hi VWGIRL .
In regards to qestion on church.
AA was introduced to me through a rehab where I was a patient for 28 days. {{Thats a good name for a movie 28 days .lol}} .
While I was in the rehab it wasnt all those so called drinking buddies who came to visit me it was my wife and family also the pastor from our local church.
And when I was doing my 2nd and 3rd step I started to go back church on a regular basis and I also started to do a bible study to try and have a better understanding of the Higher Power I was starting to pray to.
And though I enjoyed being in Church and have found it helpful in my recovery I have to say I feel closer to the God of my understanding in the meetings of AA. While attending the Sunday service I hopped out of taking communion because it was the first drink that set up my physical craving. This would have lead to that mental obsession and then who knows so I didnt want to take that chance.
Anyway I talked to the paster about it and he said. When I accept the wafer or the body of Christ it contains the blood of Christ so he would offer me to drink from the cup then move to the next person. I was happy with that .Besides some Churches use plain grape juice these days. This is only how it was for me and I hope I havent put in to much information.
Youre Wanted, Needed and Loved. God Bless
In regards to qestion on church.
AA was introduced to me through a rehab where I was a patient for 28 days. {{Thats a good name for a movie 28 days .lol}} .
While I was in the rehab it wasnt all those so called drinking buddies who came to visit me it was my wife and family also the pastor from our local church.
And when I was doing my 2nd and 3rd step I started to go back church on a regular basis and I also started to do a bible study to try and have a better understanding of the Higher Power I was starting to pray to.
And though I enjoyed being in Church and have found it helpful in my recovery I have to say I feel closer to the God of my understanding in the meetings of AA. While attending the Sunday service I hopped out of taking communion because it was the first drink that set up my physical craving. This would have lead to that mental obsession and then who knows so I didnt want to take that chance.
Anyway I talked to the paster about it and he said. When I accept the wafer or the body of Christ it contains the blood of Christ so he would offer me to drink from the cup then move to the next person. I was happy with that .Besides some Churches use plain grape juice these days. This is only how it was for me and I hope I havent put in to much information.
Youre Wanted, Needed and Loved. God Bless
