http://www.stayingcyber.org/forum/ This is an XML content feed of; Staying Cyber Forums : Last 10 Posts Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:20:32 +0000 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:20:07 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.08 30 www.stayingcyber.org/forum/RSS_topic_feed.asp http://www.stayingcyber.org/forum/forum_images/sclogo3.gif http://www.stayingcyber.org/forum/ http://www.stayingcyber.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1121&PID=105747#105747 Author: Karl R
Subject: July 20 - July 26, 2008: H.O.W.
Posted: 23 Jul 2008 at 8:20pm

Howdy all, Karl Here.

Just got off a long day of work. Lot's of equipment malfunction today, disatisfied employees and disgrunteled bosses. Makes for a long day but there is a certain amount of freedom in knowing that today I can come home and not drink. Instead I can be inspired by all of your stories.
You are an inspiring group of people.

(Brassela-at this stage in your sobriety (and mine as well) you can't afford to be resentful toward other people. You need to focus on yourself.
Resentment is what step 4 is about. Work the first three steps earnestly and then you can work out your resentments against other people in step 4. You need to get yourself healthy first. Back to basics.

Step 1-admit that you have no power over alcohol and that your life has become a mess.

Step 2-come to believe that something more powerful then you can help restore your sanity

Step 3-Turn your life and will over to a HP's will and care.

Only after you complete these steps can you start dealing with your resentments against other people. After your sanity is somewhat restored you will be able to do step 4 and make a moral inventory of yourself. I've found that a good starting place for this step is to think about the people I have resentments against. Make a list for yourself and keep it in your big book.Just the process of making a list will help you with the resentments. It will come in handy later. But for now concentrate on getting your own sanity restored by working the first three steps.

(All) thanks for the fellowship tonight. I'm off to speak with a potential sponsor for myself.

It's all good tonight,
God bless,
Karl]]> Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:20:07 +0000 http://www.stayingcyber.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1121&PID=105747#105747 http://www.stayingcyber.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=761&PID=105746#105746 Author: Brian B
Subject: The Coffee Pot
Posted: 23 Jul 2008 at 7:47pm

SoberCat, sorry if you think I ignore you, nothing intentional at all. Many posts I read and don't respond to if I don't think I have anything to contribute. Thanks for being here, deep down I appreciate everyone being here; even the one's I have a 'go' at. Interesting grammatical point, is 'forgived' a word? Could be, although forgiven is more normal. It's like the idea, if one can be disgruntled, mildly pissed off; then can one be 'gruntled', mildly content?

Kerry, it strikes me that a major part of what you are going through is 'attitude'. If you face the challenge square on, and go for it, you have a better chance of a successful outcome than if you wilt and give in. Much better. I think you show us all that you have the spirit - we're all cheering for you, go, girl, go!

Re spiritual places, I forgot to mention the most powerful feeling I've ever experienced in terms of spiritual awareness, was the summer of 1999, stood in front of Dr.Bob's grave in Akron, Ohio. I was holding hands with 4 other AA members, in silent contemplation. I really don't know how to describe this, it was a total enveloping feeling of peace, love, 'goodness' - just a glimpse of something powerful. I was in the right place, at the right time, with the right people and feeling 'right'. I'll never forget it.

Brian.]]> Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:47:53 +0000 http://www.stayingcyber.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=761&PID=105746#105746 http://www.stayingcyber.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=761&PID=105745#105745 Author: KellyF
Subject: The Coffee Pot
Posted: 23 Jul 2008 at 7:25pm


((Beto)) ((Ardis)) first drop a teaspoon of mustard seeds into a wok with hot oil; when it starts to pop, stiry fry the lizard tails (leave them rare) and throw in a large cardamom right before serving...

oh ((JanBB)) this won't work for bunnies. Stick to the moutard...

My work is done here.]]> Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:25:55 +0000 http://www.stayingcyber.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=761&PID=105745#105745 http://www.stayingcyber.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1120&PID=105744#105744 Author: Roger L.
Subject: July 20 - July 26, 2008: Step 5
Posted: 23 Jul 2008 at 7:18pm

Greetings Folks, Roger an alcoholic……

We just got a downpour here and I have been freed from my landscaping project. Similar to my experience completing Step Five folks! I was freed from a huge layer of “filters” I had built around myself instinctively expecting to be protected from the big cruel world I felt was out there, just more illusions of course.

Step One asks that we admit. Admitting to being alcohol took another beating from King Alcohol before I was able to do that. I thought I had an advantage with Step Five having been raised RC and confession was a big part of the games I played with that process so I felt I could do the same in AA. I was soon to learn that although there is a layer of sins of the flesh on the surface, the inner most dimension of character defects, insecurities, fears and the like, the exact nature, were somewhat much more difficult to even admit to myself never mind another person. The fear of impending doom and the fears of being found out were debilitating. I highly recommend that a person anticipating the undertaking and completion of 4 & 5 ought to ensure they have a sponsor to work through the effects of having done so.

There were some very powerful experiences of “letting go” type feelings and most of all, I felt the world was just a different place following the admission of what was actually going one behind the lookers. My perceptions were changed in a way I never thought possible. I thought someone had watered the landscape as everything seemed so lush and so very fresh. It was virtually like having a new pair of glasses and seeing the world for the first time. I was soon to experience that my existing social network was soon to change, consequently.

My wife decided she wanted nothing to do with the sober lifestyle and left. My brother and business partner tried the behaviours he used to exercise and as they did not seem to work as well, he reverted to rejection as a means of maintaining the illusion of power he felt was slipping away in his interactions with me. I learned after some years in AA that we do not have to focus on changing anything on the outside of ourselves in the first years of sobriety, all we have to do is complete the steps 4&5 to the best of our ability and things will automatically change on the outside.

An experienced, loving sponsor is certainly essential in assisting to make sense of the effects of completing 4 & 5. One should not minimize the power of the 12 Steps of AA. If you don’t want to change and want to keep your hell hole drama filled lifestyle, don’t complete Steps 4&5 to the best of your ability!


Stay well, be well

Roger
]]> Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:18:57 +0000 http://www.stayingcyber.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1120&PID=105744#105744 http://www.stayingcyber.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1121&PID=105743#105743 Author: onedayer
Subject: July 20 - July 26, 2008: H.O.W.
Posted: 23 Jul 2008 at 6:49pm

HOW ----

Honesty followed the other 2 for me. The first time I think I was truly honest was when I realized that once I took the first drink, all bets were off. I didnt know if I was going to have 2 drinks or 20 drinks. I realized I had no control over the amount I consumed. Most of the time, my intentions were never to get drunk, but to control and enjoy my drinking.

Openmindedness came to me second. I didnt believe I had a problem with alcohol when I got here. I believed I had a problem with other things (drugs) and that if I could stop those, I could again (or so I thought) enjoy my drinking. I was asked to remain open-minded about my drinking and I did. Thanks GOD!!!! I had a getting out party planned for after I got out of rehab and we were only going to drink. I have never had that party.

Willingness for me is, to steal a line, the key to my sobriety that has opened all the doors that appeared to be locked. I became willing to check myself into a treatment center initially. What has followed is a life that has gotten progressively better. They say this is a progressive disease, but it is also a progressive recovery when we remain willing and work it. I am truly on the Broad Highway today.

]]> Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:49:21 +0000 http://www.stayingcyber.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1121&PID=105743#105743 http://www.stayingcyber.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=761&PID=105742#105742 Author: Beto L
Subject: The Coffee Pot
Posted: 23 Jul 2008 at 6:11pm

Kerry, John Mayall the blues artist cut an album in Topanga Canyon called, oddly enough, "Blues from Topanga Canyon." If I remember right it had a harmonica solo that would make the hair on your neck stand up...or maybe that was because of the acid. Hang in there with the chemo.

Brian, any ocean shore is a holy spot, and many waterfalls have unseen spirits blessing them. Cathedrals, temples and any place in front of the Buddha, or any of the Hindu Murtis is holy. Even before I was a pan-theist I could sense the energy there.

Pam, I'm glad your county agent was helpful. My experience is that they are under-utilized and love to help. I first strolled into the county agent's office in the courthouse where I was killing time, waiting to see my probation officer. I walked out with several one pound bags of free fire-ant poison, and I have loved those places ever since.

Ardis, thanks for the lizard tails. I'll bet cardamom would go better with the chocolate than cumin. I'm going to look for some little bitty hot dog buns.

Annie G, I wonder if the person who wove that plate from olive branches would weave me a hat, so the committee in my head would peace out.

love to you all,
Beto

]]> Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:11:37 +0000 http://www.stayingcyber.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=761&PID=105742#105742 http://www.stayingcyber.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=761&PID=105741#105741 Author: SoberKat
Subject: The Coffee Pot
Posted: 23 Jul 2008 at 6:10pm

Kerry - as soon as I posted about my son looking like a chemo patient with his bald head, I thought of you and want to apologize if I sounded crass. I meant it as a joke of him being bald - not to make fun of anyone going through chemo. You are and have been in my thoughts and prayers.

Jan - my husband likes to pretend that he takes it all in stride... but you should see him at the games. He's like a totally different person and he is so filled with pride for his son (both his sons) and it's just a beautiful thing to see.

Forgot to mention that last night at the wake, I got the opportunity to make an amends to an old boyfriend. My friend who's father died, well his sister is married to an old boyfriend of mine. I was mean to him and really hurt him when I broke up with him in high school. I gave no consideration to his feelings and dropped him like a hot potato. Poor thing didn't see it coming and stole his boss's car and ran away from home. So I got to give him a hug and say how sorry I was for being inconsiderate and downright mean and he said "You're forgived" which I don't believe is technically the right use of the word "forgiven" so I was kind of glad I didn't wind up with him after all!!! Not that I am any kind of grammatical goddess by any stretch of the imagination... so now I probably owe an amends for judging him... oh crap.

Chris - I couldn't find your photo album... the link only brought me to the photobucket site... any additional log in info we should know in order to view the pics??

Edited by SoberKat - Today at 6:13pm]]> Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:10:53 +0000 http://www.stayingcyber.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=761&PID=105741#105741 http://www.stayingcyber.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=761&PID=105740#105740 Author: Chris W
Subject: The Coffee Pot
Posted: 23 Jul 2008 at 5:46pm

God Afternoon, ((Everyone))...

Friday is my boss' birthday and it's being combined with a fundraiser for our programs. I was asked to put together some pictures that they could run in a loop on several TV's around the restaurant.

So...here's the slideshow that I pulled together today while relaxing from the office LOL. There are no names nor even locations but, it gives a real overview to some of the things we do and of some of the people who do it. Just a few of the reasons I am able to maintain much gratitude in my life.

Thanks for letting me share a great part of my life with you...and thanks for helping me stay sober today.

Love and Peace from Key West and from...Chris!

Edited to add that it "should" work now

Edited by Chris W - Today at 6:44pm]]> Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:46:46 +0000 http://www.stayingcyber.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=761&PID=105740#105740 http://www.stayingcyber.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=761&PID=105739#105739 Author: Maxine J
Subject: The Coffee Pot
Posted: 23 Jul 2008 at 5:44pm

Hi everyone,
I'm just back from my home group meeting which i thoroughly enjoyed. A lot of people there which was fantastic.
I am enjoying reading the posts here and being part of the group. It's lovely knowing that there is always something new to read when I log on.
I have to keep googling places though as my geography isn't very good :-)
I agree about spritual places.....I have a little place that I like to go to. It is a very quiet part of the canal, and I sit with the ducks sharing my thoughts.
Off to bed now. A step 10 and a few pages of my book. Life s good.
Thank you for being a part of my journey.
Goodnight,
Max alcoholic]]> Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:44:46 +0000 http://www.stayingcyber.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=761&PID=105739#105739 http://www.stayingcyber.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=761&PID=105738#105738 Author: Ardis ;)
Subject: The Coffee Pot
Posted: 23 Jul 2008 at 5:29pm

PAM, look into the Cala Lily also, they are beautiful but invasive! They killed a tree in my backyard in So Cal. They did not bloom anymore, however their root system kept on growing and growing and suffocating everything around them.

GABBY, have cell phone, will travel! When I lost my other cell phone, I lost all my phone numbers too.

Hello DOLLY (ANNIE!) sounds like hurricanes that hit/miss the Tampa area all the time, at least that's what I hope for your fella's out there. The news build them all up and reality often fizzles, LUCKILY!

(((KERRY))) YOU are amazing!

I'm also glad I experienced Southern California and the greater LA and OC counties, I would not have wanted to miss my 37 years there! Down the hill from the mountains was excited living.
I'll never forget arriving in the USA in 1967 and working for Firestone Tires in the City of Commerce that I got lost in their freeway system which I called "intercourse" to my bosses,when I showed up late, instead of getting lost in the intersections or the Loop.
PAT the Heretic would tell me you have not improved much :o)

ERNIE, I am so happy for you that you had to do what you needed to do to start blooming sober where you are planted! Good for you!

Every late afternoon I sit here at my computer and watch the geckos doing their chirping and love dances until deep in the night. They are giving me quite an education -LOL-
I have a white blossoming tree in the meadow next to me, that starts "snowing' when the late afternoon wind picks up, nice to look at that type of 'snow' in 90 degrees. Then around 5 pm the old-fashion Florida weather starts with thunder and lightning and later rain to wash all cars and sidewalks and "snow" clean! This is the Florida I remember visiting for years before I moved here and it all dried up.

BRIAN, tenacity can be a good thing, obsession not, I'm guilty!

My granddaughter Grace is back in preschool, way better for her and me since they are all moving in and I get to see here enough. I have to start walking a very thin line to remember myself constantly that I am the Omi/Gramma and NOT the mother! This whole setup is going to be another learning experience, I promised myself I would not be caught in AGAIN! When will I learn? Ahhhh, I know, when I am sick and tired of being sick and tired!

BETO, I made especially for you, chocolate covered lizzard tails sprinkled with cumin and caraway seeds!

(((CAROL HS))) (((KELLYF))) (((SOBERKAT))) (((ZEKE))) (((ED Z)))

(((ROOM HUG))) for us (((ALL))) Newcomers, Readers and especially POSTERS, in caring, Ardis
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