Sheltered?

Alcohol
1
It's mid 80s and sunny. Dry, with a bit of a breeze. We need rain, but it sure is a nice day!

Went to another AA meeting today. I never realized what a quiet life I've lead. Protected, I suppose, 'cause there are some MESSED UP (or were) folks on this planet--and they're the ones that are getting help! Oddly, however, I feel as though I know them. All of them. Varying degrees of bad things that have happened--sort of a sliding scale--depending on how much each could apparently tolerate. Me too, I suppose, though certainly nowhere near the "adventures" some of these peeps have been on. I can understand how it could happen, though. Truly a slippery slope.
2
Yeah, I dunno if it is true, but I heard of someone who had to have a blood transfusion because of severe alcoholism. Shudder. It is amazing how much people will put up with actually before they make the decision to change their ways.

3
We were talking about remembering the "Dark Days" as a way to appreciate the good days--remembering not only for selves, but for others. You know, "What ever doesn't kilol you will make you stronger?" :)
Well, I guess we all tried in one way or another, huh?
:)
Peaceness
4
When I finally started to get into the meetings I felt the same way and felt privileged to be amongst people of my own kind who were gladly showing me the way....and they didn't want anything in return!
5
You know, we were talking about religion and spirituality today at The Meeting. Whats so confounding (or not) is that most of these people really are more centered, grounded, and spiritually clear than most people who may associate themselves all their lives with religion. It confounds meand gives me a sense of peace, because there are a whole population of folks that really, truly, care about others for the right reasons.
6
Gidday skg

Great post

Isnt recovery great thats what i like about the spiritual side as well, alot of people get caught up in trying to back or prove there religeon whereas in recovery i have to live it via a daily maintenance and how good it is is how self honest i am in my day.

Light and love Zac
7
Yeah, I too have been impressed by the side of everyone I know in recovery (on here) that is in touch with the spiritual side of life. There seems to be an understanding. Something that is quite hard to come by amongst regular folk.
8
I was intro'd to spirituality through the 12 Steps, heard about it of course, but didn't understand...now I am finally understanding, thank goodness....I use to pray to God on a daily basis, "if you just let me get through this last drunk and high, I will be better tomorrow"....on and on, "just help me out of this jam God."..that was my religion and now through AA and it's fellowship, the 12 Steps and a great Sponsor I know and believe God's will is way better than my own will....and I ask for God's will to be done in my life versus my own will on a daily basis, and oftentimes more than once a day ~ I find that I was very arrogant to think I knew better than God, even in early sobriety...I really can embrace the spirituality of the Program, versus if it was totally religious....I doubt if most of the meetings I attend would survive...because we all come from such diversified backgrounds.
9
I won't blather on about spirituality versus religion, but suffice to say that I've seen them all, been members of numerous ones, come from a VERY religious upbringing, and got so frustrated with the whole facade of people that I'd relegated myself to talking to my God constantly--drunk or not drunk. It wasn't until I stopped talking and began listening that things started to change.
:)
I think I'll listen more...
10
I am amazed whnm I am in a room of fellow addicts/alcoholics how much gratitude is often expressed. And some folks have lost so much, in many ways, but id they are woreking as programme talk of how grateful they are. It blows me away. If I go sit in church, after the service, I hear so many grumbles... (not bashing you churchgoers)

I understand little of spirituality, other thasn asking God to help mer do his will, and thanking Her every day for all things I am greatful 4. I stay clean from just doing that!

I am in love with this programme and my recovery.
11
Was looking through the threads--sort of a review of where I was a month ago. Yep. 30 days tomorrow--and I'll get me a new chip.

Even though I'm just beginning this journey and I know I've got to eat the elephant one bite at a time, I'm at peace. Well, mostly. I still have those discussions in my head, but they're not in justification or self-pity or self-indulgent anymore. They're about growing. Not so much spiritually-I think I spent too much of my "first" life believing in a God that *I* had made (and led to believe by others) represented some specific entity. I'm allowing myself to relax--stop the martyr crap for a bit--and live for today. I'm trying to avoid wondering what others think, believe, or judge. That, right now, is a full time job so, with my newfound Higher Power's patience, I'm getting there. Where ever there may be...

peace.
12
Morning SKG...

QUOTE
I'm allowing myself to relax--stop the martyr crap for a bit--and live for today. I'm trying to avoid wondering what others think, believe, or judge.


Thank you for sharing that...I needed to hear that today and I always look forward to your posts...

Today is what I have and when I live in the past or fret about the future, I lose today and all the miracles that are happening around me...

I hope you have a beautiful day and enjoy...

xoxo
Stacey
13
A corny AA saying (there are TONS of colloquialisms, apparently!) goes something like, "The past is passed--it's gone and can't be ungone. The future isn't certain nor is it guaranteed. That's why today is called a "present."

Cute, huh? I'm sure I butchered it pretty well, but I'm trying to adapt myself to living the simple principle of "One Day at a Time." When I'm used to planning and preventing, nothing happens. Nothing. Not life, not happiness, not spiritual health, not unexpected treasure in the simplicity that life is supposed to be.