Member: Charlie Darling
Location: Key West FL
Date: 11/9/2003
Time: 12:48:08 PM

Comments

Hi Family, Charlie Darling a very grateful recovering Alcholic. Since this si the 11th month, I tend to think of the 11th step, and the 11th step prayer. For today that is the way I try to live in all aspects of my life, and it is wonderful.Peace and Love,Charlie Darling kwduke_1999@yahoo.com


Member: Marlene
Location: Ontairo
Date: 11/9/2003
Time: 1:48:11 PM

Comments

What has been your greatest achivment since being sober, other than sobrity itself? Is there a promotion, special person in your life that wouldn't have happened/been there if you were still drinking. I think that it is important to reflect on the positives since we stopped drinking. Too many times we forget to appriciate the good things life has to offer us. For me it is knowing that my children are growing up with a mother who isn't slurring her words all the time and wondering around like a zombie. I am sure that if I hadn't stopped drinking that they would no longer be living with me.


Member: Dietrich
Location: Afghanistan
Date: 11/9/2003
Time: 1:51:52 PM

Comments

Hi Charlie: I like that, 11th step prayer and all, it has taught me to be honest, open-minded and willing. I live in a life that has all the potential for dissaster at every corner, both phyisical and mental. I see it happening around me all the time. I work with the military and I'm currently in afghanistan, seen things you should not have to see, but I'm here for a reason, what that is I don't know, my Hp doesn't tell me everything i want to know, and I don't have the grey matter to figure it out, I'm just thankful that when it gets to tough for me to handle on my own, I can ask for help, and I have faith in my Hp that what ever happens will happen, regardless if I'm ready or not. Thats Honesty, by keeping an openmind that anything can happen, I don't set myself up, and by being willing to keep pushing ahead regardless of how good or bad it can get, has been enough to keep me sober and happy ODAAT. Keeping it real in the Afghan, DM!


Member: AZbill
Location: azbill1172@cox.net
Date: 11/9/2003
Time: 3:32:32 PM

Comments

HI Bill here. Alcoholic from Arizona. There are five prayers associated with the basic 11th Step, all of them in combination help me if I am having trouble getting through the day. There is one more 11th Step prayer in the essays, the St Francis prayer. I don't use it. Too long. The God of my understanding understands short prayers. :) Gosh Marlene, Achievements?? I can't single out a "greatest". The changes and God- consciousness promised by the Spiritual Awakening in Step 12 and Appendix II are one; A family that I trashed because they were in the way of my drinking has taken me back into their lives. A former wife and six daughters plus I gained a hubby-in-law is another. I have gained in a sense of well being. I graduated from College and went on to become a success in my field..Published in two journals is yet another achievement. I survived death itself with the sense of humor and attitude I gained from you and the Steps. The Greatest? Depends on where I am at the moment. It has been a fantastic journey, I think I will keep a truckin'. That all of you for being here and being a part of my sobriety today. Love you, Bill


Member: Joe B.
Location: Charleston, W.V.
Date: 11/9/2003
Time: 4:43:44 PM

Comments

Hi Gang, Prayer saved my life. Especially the Serenity Prayer. During the very highly Charged emotionally inept early months. Using this tool helped me find the internal resources to cope with family, work and drinking situations.Today, the 11th step prayer or for that matter the 11th step is the continuation of my program and works when I work it. its easy to forget the longer you stay sober Have a good week.


Member: sheila
Location: england
Date: 11/9/2003
Time: 5:52:53 PM

Comments

hi folks, this is my first time on this network. well it always blows me away the unity in aa.i liked what everyone said esp deitrich. i too believe in everything happens for a reason n my hp will let me no whats happenin when im ready to no not necess when i want to no.my recovery journey has been amazin if anyone told me in the beginnin that i would experience the things that i have then i would of thought they had lost it. i have so much gratitude to aa and the wonderful people in it where ever you all are thanks.


Member: Beyond Jackass
Location: Reality
Date: 11/9/2003
Time: 6:20:15 PM

Comments

Prayer and Meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for the knowledge and the power to carry that out. Yes this reminded me on my early years in recovery where as a devout Catholic. I had like 6 novenas that I recite daily and a rosary after, I even have the novena for St. Michael the Archangel to exorcise the demons within me and of other people. I mean hello? Isn't it that Our AA God is a masculine God, a He as the Christians believed, am I the fanatic one or what? I know a lot of them bitches out there like when I was writing in the Public Library at a computer there were like 5 of them staff bitches with the power of Satan who were standing at my back calling me names like, What an Ass! and What a dork! And I know they were just performing their task from their Higher Powers who are the major bullshitters (in this case one is a He with a she personality , you know some people are so greedy they have to feel both sexes at the same time). But that's going out of the topic, I know I can't win with these people they hold the cards. And this was the reason why I went more into development of my spiritual life in prayer and meditation as my sanctuary and refuge from all these demons who overwhelms and has power over me. I was also into meditation that all my life afterwards was devoted to Christian work for the poor and Zen meditation in the major Centers and monasteries in the country. But I know I could never come up with the standards of the major Power Trippers who are the Insiders, they would always say that I fall short of expectations , that I have this and that problems, that I was stupid and love to make fun of me, and that in the end they have to throw me out from their communities because I was not as moral as them (this of course after giving me a whole lot of hard time trying to adjust with them). You might say oh, his meditations are like for kids, but not unless you have done those sesshins and a lot of meditations from Buddhist Centers then you might judge me right. I'm not bragging or being a hot dog as what people who are jealous usually calls me, and mind you after New York City, the next very rude people I have encountered in my life are people from L.A. I guess like fires, and earthquakes are God's way of showing to these people that what comes around goes around, like the recent disaster from the East. But when you take the point of view of "insiders" you would never think that it was your fault because that's the purpose of self-righteous morality. So when you have this AA spirituality in you and all the things that you have learned much about getting sober and found out that the World is exactly the opposite of what you are trying to deceive yourself into, my piece of advise is that continue doing your prayers and meditation because in that way you become in the side of God, and all those wo are not with your line of thinking "insiders" are against God , so you are with God and that's the only way you would ever get through life. So when disasters come like earthquakes fires and incurable diseases and terrorists blasting themselves and others away to Kingdom Come you are sure that God does that to his people on His side. Oh I know, It was Man that did that to Himself and Not God because see to the moralists God is actually finite and limited, like God do not control people because He gave us freewill.And ya betcha I studied that in Metaphysics in college and a whole lot of books in philosophy like the Germans and the Greeks. Oh yeah! And oh was there a great Philosopher born and coming from the New World I missed that. Like tht guy who said that the natives were really Israelites who migrated and were Whites but God curse them and made them dark skinned? And don't you laugh now, It's one of the fastest growing religion especially in 3rd World countries. And as the saying goes God helps those who helps themselves, and that's why most of them are rich because they are doing the right thing. And poor people are poor because as our AA saying goes if you keep on doing what youre doing, then you keep on getting what you're getting. Yeah ! Tell them like it is Oldtimers, them them ghetto people and welfare black and wetbacks. Oh! Oh! Oooohh!


Member: Craig L (Dogmanor@yahoo.com)
Location: Aloha, Oregon
Date: 11/9/2003
Time: 7:21:45 PM

Comments

Craig L. another real alcholic (page 21). When I first got here, I wanted to make sense of everything. Unfortunately I was thinking with an alcohol damaged brain and psyche. I was a loner and thought I could figure out everything I needed on my own. Things made less and less sense, my next option was to deny everything that didn't fit in my plans and stay drunk. Finally the alcohol turned on me and cut me to shreds. That is what it took for me to finally give up the discussion and turn to God. Today, everything I know is a blessing and a tool to help others escape that hell. Prayer is my affirmation to God that I am here and ready to do whatever God asks of me. In return I get a Peace I could never have imagined.


Member: Tim G.
Location: Northern Virginia
Date: 11/9/2003
Time: 8:06:24 PM

Comments

Hi, I'm Tim G. and an alcoholic. I rely heavily on the serenity prayer when things get tough, and it always seems to fit the situation and it always seems to work for me. I had been doing my daily meditation on my lunch break reading the Grapevine and meditating on what I read. But lately, I've been doing homework for a class instead. Thanks for reminding me I need to get back to it. I have been sober for a long time, so the things I have to be thankful for that I suspect wouldn't have had I been drinking is just too numerous to contemplate. But just being alive would have to top the list. Thanks!


Member: Billy
Location: Georgia
Date: 11/9/2003
Time: 9:29:43 PM

Comments

The 11th step to me means just 1 more step to go andI'll be done with this bullshit court order.


Member: kimberley
Location: seattle
Date: 11/9/2003
Time: 9:53:39 PM

Comments

hi kimberley here recovering alcholic, the 11th step prayer is a great one for me it gets me centered and back to where my thughts should be, for me personally it is my mind that is my greatest offender they say you have got o fire your mind and i believe it, keep coming back all you true alkis we are in this together, and billy you ha d a choice in court to chose prison or this if you didnt think you belonged here why did you choose sobriety instead, of the other , sometimes god is doing for us what we cant do for ourselves, so keep coming back this program is taught not caught,


Member: Billy
Location: Georgia
Date: 11/9/2003
Time: 10:39:01 PM

Comments

Kim,I did not have a choice,that was my sentence.If you dont know what you are talking about then keep your piehole shut.


Member: PattyK
Location: here
Date: 11/9/2003
Time: 11:01:52 PM

Comments

Hi All, Deitrich, my prayers are with you and all of the servicemen in this horrid situation. The 11th step, concious contact with God. That is the saving grace of the whole program, hy will, not mine be done", simple. And hard. As a "real" alcoholic, my will wants to step in the way on many occasions, but thanks to my HP and this program, I'm learning that He will lead me in the right direction if I sit back and let Him. Active drinking was hell on earth, even though I didn't realize that til I was sober a few years. My greatest gift is my sobriety. After that better relationships with family and friends, the belief that I am truly worthy of life and love. Things get tough sometimes, life doesn't get perfect, but the program and the HP pull us through. I'm going through a rough spot right now with a separation, heading for divorce. I know, as an alcoholic with a lot of emotions surfacing, I'm in a danger zone. I;'m so grateful to have an AA background, this place and my live meetings to share my feelings and most important to stay sober, one day at a time. Thanks to all of you for being here. Lets all keep coming back.


Member: Richard G.
Location: Islamorada, Fla USA
Date: 11/9/2003
Time: 11:22:02 PM

Comments

my names richard and I'm an alcoholic, This is my first on line meeting and I have 21 months sober. my home group reads the 11th step prayer at our 7am attitude adjustment meeting every day and it helps me plan my day. reminding me to do the next right thing in alighning my will with my higher power while relaxing and not struggling. I've not always recognized a higher power, AA gave me my spirturality as described in the appendix section in the back of the big book where it explained it was ok that it came to me slowly in the form of education rather than a burning bush and my foolishness of "contempt prior to investigation. Thank god for AA it is changing my ideas , attitudes and emotions giving me a more peaceful and fullfilling life. Sometimes quickly sometimes slowly but I'm learning to rely on it. Thanks for letting me share. a


Member: Jack S
Location:
Date: 11/10/2003
Time: 5:07:27 AM

Comments

Good for you Billy, That kind of attitude will get you crawling back or leave you all curled up in some back alley door way wimpering that you would do anything to get out of the mess you will find yourself in. One simple question... How did you get past step one? or don't you think your life is unmanageable?


Member: Billy
Location: Georgia
Date: 11/10/2003
Time: 8:20:31 AM

Comments

For Jack Ass,I got past all the steps just like the rest,I faked it and continue faking it and will not do it the AA way.I am doing it the alternative way and that is to simply stop drinking.I am choosing to stop drinking via my lord jesus christ.I do not want to be another walking bigbook parrot.I simply am choosing to do it with another book and that is THE BIBLE.Yes I know the steps are based on the bible but the rest of the crap that goes on is not based on the bible.I do not think my life is unmanageable but the judge did.I will not ever crawl back of stretch out or even curl up in an alley.Are you a damn oldtimer employing your senseless threats?


Member: Kelly M
Location: NH
Date: 11/10/2003
Time: 10:59:37 AM

Comments

Hi ((All)), I'm Kelly and still an alcoholic. Step 11. Prayer and meditation. The previous 10 steps gave me the attitude to work it. The process of letting go and letting God. Was I selfish, self-seeking, full of fear, dishonest? If the answer to (any) was yes its yes to all of them! Please take it away... NO, IF, ANDS, OR BUTS! AND BUT, HE DID THIS OR THAT. Don't carry it into the next day. Whats more important, my peace of mind or being right? Let it go! The important part of step 11 is it needs to be addressed daily or it piles up and gets shelved. It needs to be discussed internally and dump it by turning it over. I ask myself certain questions every day. Was I loving and kind? What could have I have done better? Was I thinking of myself all the time? Was I thinking of what I could do for others? If I feel lousy I'm of no use to others. I'm self absorbed, have morbid reflections, self pity. Usually it's that my motives were wrong - (All about me). Or, was I afraid of something? I don't (get) afraid, I am afraid. God takes it away if I ASK. Many times a day I pray, Thy will be done, not mine. I can say this to myself anywhere, anytime I need to. My old way didn't work and this way does. I have moments of profound peace working on my prayer. This step has me keeping open my vertical connection with God. It free's me from the weight of myself. It feels light and free. Being free of my self-will and aligning my conscienceness with his, I stay connected/ refueled. This is one of the unmerited gifts I have received, Peace. I never had a moment of peace in end stage drinking so I can appreciate not struggling anymore. Thanks for letting me share, Kelly :)


Member: Jose MC
Location: sunnyside, WA
Date: 11/10/2003
Time: 1:11:09 PM

Comments

Hi my name is Jose MC a greatful alcoholic, I would like to respond to Billy from Georgia, this is my opinion about the principles of A.A. you never never finish working your steps they are tools to work in your everyday life. and about faking it, well I feel you are not being honest with yourself you still can't accept you are an alcoholic. you need to be honest with yourself it is your life. to make it work you need to accept it and not fake it the steps are there to help you or people that fake it only relapse end up where they started. to be able to have a spiritual awakening you need to work the steps honestly first.God bless you and all the ones that shared.


Member: Joel
Location: Wi
Date: 11/10/2003
Time: 3:44:08 PM

Comments

Billy, It looks as if you've found a HP, which also happens to be the purpose of The AA Big Book...congrats and best wishes. AA is for people who want it...and will be there if/when you do.


Member: day day day
Location: tay tay tay
Date: 11/10/2003
Time: 3:44:51 PM

Comments

chay chay chay and tay tay tay pay way everywhere I go Jesus is Lord and tay tay tay and day day day pie why everywhere I go pay way day and tay way day ply why a pain wane of how..


Member: Adam H.
Location: New York, NY
Date: 11/10/2003
Time: 4:01:41 PM

Comments

Adam, alcoholic. I'd actually like to address Marlene's question; "What has been your greatest achivment since being sober, other than sobrity itself?" You know, it's amazing...I have gone back to school sober; I've lived for over three years sober in a country (Japan) where I used to live every day drinking or drunk; I've reconciled--and in some instances re-acquainted myself--with family and friends through the process of amends; I've landed the job of my dreams in New York City; and I get the privillege of sharing what I have learned with the men that I sponsor. And best of all, I feel like I belong in my own skin and on this planet sober...which I never felt before AA. These are all incredible gifts that have come to pass for me in sobreity, but to be perfectly honest, I feel they are more God's accomplishments than mine. That 11th Step Prayer talks about being an instrument of God's peace, and when I take a moment to look back over what I have gotten to be present for in sobriety, I think MY greates accomplishment was gettingout of God's way and letting him achieve what I could not. Grateful to be sober and on this journey.


Member: B
Location: Missouri
Date: 11/10/2003
Time: 5:17:05 PM

Comments

Hi, I'm "B" from Missouri. First time on but I had to say to Billy, I have 18 months sobriety and there were many times when I wanted to scream out the same angry outbursts that I just read from you. And I say to you....feel it. Feel everything like you've never felt before. This isn't supposed to be easy. For some of us, it's been the fight of our lives!!! It sure beats being numb. Someone in AA once told me to "fake it till you make it". And until I got to where I could understand what the hell was going on inside of me, that was the best I could do. The most important thing to ask yourself is. Are you doing what you are supposed to be doing? If you can answer that with an honest yes, then, more power to ya. Just don't give up on yourself.


Member: Lee B.
Location: TX MA NC and FL
Date: 11/10/2003
Time: 6:27:26 PM

Comments

Howdy, all. I´m Lee and I am an alcoholic. First one in my immediate family to admit to it, and I'm also the first one to be reaching out for help to get away from it. Yes, God... without Him there is no salvation from this nightmare I seem so hell-bent on reliving. You see, I'm what you might call an "after 5" alcoholic. I drink every night "after 5"--with a few exceptions. Well, these exceptions have become more and more frequent...and I do not want my children to follow the same path that I followed from my parents, who followed their parents, et-cetera..."the sins of the first generation will be passed through until the fourth"--or something like that. I guess that, for right now, my greatest accomplishment is having found this website. I will be praying for you all...and if you think about me, I could sure use some prayers as well. I will be adding this website to my favorites list...think it's a good idea to visit here often. This is my first night without a drink in a REALLY LONG TIME. Maybe I'll actually get some sleep for a change. God bless you all.


Member: pk
Location:
Date: 11/10/2003
Time: 7:18:05 PM

Comments

Lee,that generation bullshit is just simply bullshit.


Member: James
Location: Washington State
Date: 11/10/2003
Time: 10:54:44 PM

Comments

I was thinking about the greatest achievement q and I don't know that Sobriety was an achievement of my own. I couldn't, no one else could, God did...cause I went looking. I make myself available to the best of my ability...which isn't always what I think it is...(Refined or Not...usually not...Good or Bad...) I like to do things my way...all the time...only thing is, because of this program, I know better now. I don't always get my way. My greatest achievement is the realization that in and of myself...I am only as significant as one in one billion can be. Maybe more so if I choose to think I am unique because of my Alcoholism. There is a higher power that works throuh me...if I open the channel. Be it whatever you would make it. Ain't that a trip. But hey...thats just the take I've gotten over time...Maybe it is BS...or not...Figure it out for yourself, and you will be happy that you didn't rely on the words of another...but maybe just placed in a position to find direction.


Member: Jeff
Location: Ne.
Date: 11/10/2003
Time: 11:17:45 PM

Comments

Hi I`m Jeff, an alcoholic. The book that i read suggests prayer & meditation as the 11th step. It also gives clear cut suggestions as to how to do this step. I have been following these "suggestions" for years and it seems to be working well for me, i have not had a drink for a long time now. The best part of this step for me, as wrote in the "big book" is as follows: "We alcoholics are undisciplined. So we let God discipline us in the simple way we have just outlined." It is so true, this is simple as long as i can follow the steps in order & do as they suggest, it will work. I will stay sober. "Thy will be done" Thanks.


Member: Steve
Location: USA
Date: 11/10/2003
Time: 11:42:02 PM

Comments

...so we let God discipline us in the simple way we have defined...would Bill W. not see that as one of the more arrogant statements made...? I mean, come on, "as we defined", in the end...do we really define HP, or is he/she/it just so? Even Bill and Bob might be inclined to take this further.


Member: Tarra B
Location:
Date: 11/11/2003
Time: 12:15:08 AM

Comments

I have a year sober on Thanksgiving.....I could not have done any of this without going to meetings and following the steps. I never would have thought that sober is a better way of life until I saw the people that I used to know falling deeper and deeper into addiction. I thank my higher power everyday for keeping me strong.


Member: Angela McCarty
Location: Denver, Colorado
Date: 11/11/2003
Time: 12:21:06 AM

Comments

Hi, I have a boyfriend that is a alcoholic. I gave him a choice if you drink again I am leaving. He said he won't drink any more. WE are suppose to meeting, but it will not happen because he is out drinking tonight. So when he gets back for his benge I will leave as I have said. I do not know what to do anymore about the situation. I have given him alot of chances to prouve to me that he will ghet help. He tells me that he loves me and wants our relationship to work, but his actions shows me different. I do not know what to do are how to handle the situation anymore. I just don't think he loves me enough to get help and to save our life together. I love him so much and don't want to lose him. I have been down this road about 7 years ago,and have expressed to him aout the drinking. He seems to be understanding about it. Yet still he is going the same thing to me again. Can someone please help.


Member: Tarra B
Location:
Date: 11/11/2003
Time: 12:24:56 AM

Comments

He is far into his addiction. He loves you, but he loves booze. It might take you leaving him to get him to realize that he's lost you over a drink. I know you don't want to lose him, but you dont want to lose yourself now do you?


Member: leslie
Location:
Date: 11/11/2003
Time: 2:11:56 AM

Comments


Member: leslie
Location: wa
Date: 11/11/2003
Time: 2:12:36 AM

Comments


Member: cas g.
Location: kansas
Date: 11/11/2003
Time: 3:50:20 AM

Comments

i'm still new to all of this i just had my 90 days on the 8th but today well one more day is all i ask god for!


Member: Gerald B DOS .3-2-82
Location: Lennox, CA.
Date: 11/11/2003
Time: 7:48:04 AM

Comments

"TARRA" Try going to "al-non" it has helped lots of people in your sitution.Gerald


Member: Lisa
Location: TX
Date: 11/11/2003
Time: 11:02:56 AM

Comments

Angela I would suggest you find an alanon meeting and give it a try. Alanon is for friends and family of alcohlics. I know it has helped some of my family. By the way I'm Lisa an alcohlic, I love the St. Francis prayer in the 11th step and wish that I could live that way but in reality I am still selfish and self centered most of the time but it does give me a direction to grow toward. Other than sobriety which really was not MY doing but God opening the doors, I just walked thru (action)...my greatest accomplishment is being a mother to a child that I resented and didn't want because she would screw up my drinking and drugging. Which for the first 2 years I dumped her on my parents and continued slowly killing myself. Today she is a teenager and I try to be the best mom I can and I LOVE her soooo much. I never thought it was possible to feel anything but bad. I am so grateful to God and AA for giving me a chance to be a useful, productive member of society, and a mom. Thanks


Member: M. J. D.
Location: AK
Date: 11/11/2003
Time: 4:42:54 PM

Comments

Good topic, Charlie. Our relationship with God, our Father in Heaven, and with His Son, Jesus Christ, is of course the most important of all things. Only God and Jesus may heal us and relieve us from our addictions. No big book, no twelve steps, no acupuncture, no pills or patches, will heal us. Only by the gracious love of Our Heavenly Father are we relieved from our self-imposed maladay. Thanks be to God. Thanks be to Jesus.


Member: Barb Mc
Location: PA
Date: 11/11/2003
Time: 5:41:51 PM

Comments

Good evening. Barbara, alcoholic. I believe the original question was what is your greatest accomplishment since getting sober. Learning to live by myself and LOVING it. Then giving up that freedom to move and take care of my mother. How I disliked her when I first got sober. As far as I was concerned half of my problems stemmed from her. The other half from my ex husband. As for prayer and meditation it is something I try to do on a daily basis. I know I can do the prayer part daily but taking time to meditate is not as easy now as it once was. I will not give up however. I need a contact with MY God in order to stay sober and live my daily life. AA allowed me to believe in the God of my understanding. I don't believe in the God of the religions that are out there. If you believe in religion that is fine by me. Just don't try to make me believe your way. As far as I'm concerned religions were formed by men to control other men. God never built a church, man did. God didn't write the bible, men did with their own angle on what God wanted. It is an excellent history book. The God I believe in is the one that made this beautiful Earth we live on, the stars, moon and sun. He gave breath of life to everything on this planet that man is screwing up. He is the one that kept me alive when alcohol was killing me. My beloved God is the one that walks with me each day. The steps of AA are my guidlines for living. And between God and AA I am living a wonderful life.


Member: Barb,please get help
Location:
Date: 11/11/2003
Time: 6:11:40 PM

Comments

Does AA really rank up there with God Almighty himself?Only a brainwashed follower would say such a thing.


Member: Barb,please get help
Location:
Date: 11/11/2003
Time: 6:12:43 PM

Comments

Does AA really rank up there with God Almighty himself?Only a brainwashed follower would say such a thing.


Member: Tod H.
Location:
Date: 11/11/2003
Time: 7:29:50 PM

Comments

Good evening everybody. It is good to hear how people are continuing to be sober. Wether with Gods help or AA does it really matter? The important thing is that we are working on our addictions and winning the battle should be our number one objective.


Member: ray n
Location: florida
Date: 11/11/2003
Time: 7:42:25 PM

Comments

cas g go to a real meeting.everday until u are sick of it.congrads.on ur 90 days keep up the good work.go to live meetings.this program does really work if u work it.hmm it only worked for me when i trully got out of myself an asked god for help.once i did he was their amazing isnt it.as far as a story of profit well ill tell ya all later. my sobriety date is may 29 1993 trully by the grace of god .an a little work i did ill have 11 years soon cool.iof ur sober today its a good day remember that.ray


Member: hummel 99
Location: new jersey
Date: 11/11/2003
Time: 9:57:20 PM

Comments

this is hummel 99 and billy i think the shit you are saying is so fucking funny keep it up


Member: david d
Location: jersey
Date: 11/11/2003
Time: 10:04:09 PM

Comments

so they are not going to post me billy i just want you to know i do think you are one funny person keep on going strong


Member: SC Tech
Location: x
Remote Name: 24.238.82.99
Date: 11 Nov 2003
Time: 10:14 PM -0500

Comments

test


Member: SC Tech
Location: x
Remote Name: 24.238.82.99
Date: 11 Nov 2003
Time: 10:15 PM -0500

Comments

test


Member: Jeff T.
Location: Ne.
Remote Name: 12.108.214.43
Date: 11 Nov 2003
Time: 11:18 PM -0500

Comments

Hey i think i got it figured out this time, i had to over ride the cookie control to allow this site "only" on a lower setting. I think. haha


Member: CC N.
Location: Southern US
Remote Name: 68.46.240.185
Date: 11 Nov 2003
Time: 11:33 PM -0500

Comments

Hi. I'm CC and I'm a real alcoholic. I think this discussion started out as an 11th step prayer discussion and then something about achievements during sobriety. Looks like we got sidetracked but that's normal for a bunch of sober drunks. I'm very grateful to be sober today and to know that there are places like this "room" that we can go to on the web. I think a lot of us would like to "fix" some of the folks who shared here, I know I'd like to-- I guess that's the way we are. The trouble is, we can't. I think it just goes back to the H.O.W. Honesty, Openmindedness, and Willingness. "You gotta wanta!" I feel blessed that I became open to suggestions after a long time being hostile toward AA. Sometimes it's easy to forget how angry a newly sober person can be. I hated everything especially AA. I didn't realize back then what it was about AA that I hated. I hated all you happy sober drunks. I hated you because you were happy and I was miserable. I hated that I couldn't drink. I didn't want anything to do with a Higher Power. I resented everyone in AA along with everyone in my LIFE. I couldn't stand the old timers, bleeding deacons who "thought they knew it all"...I think a lot of people can identify with these early feelings... It took me a long time to get sober and to start listening to those old timers whom I eventually realized *knew* something that I didn't know and that was how to stay sober and be reasonably happy doing it. What a concept! But getting there took that thing we can't get around if we want to stay sober and that's Acceptance. That's when everything started to get better. When I accepted that I am an alcoholic and that I'm powerless over alcohol (people, places and things) and that my life is unmanageable by ME then slowly things began to change. And "It's all about change!" My attitude was keeping me drunk and it took so much work hating AA and all those "people" that all I could feel was relief when I realized that I didn't have to feel that way anymore. Well, this is a "Live and Let Live" program and as much as my little sick "inner- alcoholic" wants to rescue people who don't want this program, the recovering part of me knows that the door swings both ways. What I have to remember is that I'm here for me first and foremost! We're here only if you want us and that's why we're still here after 70 years. (but you gotta wonder what brought the skeptics into this "room" in the first place, maybe just a "God-thing" ;>) Thanks. CC, ( a grateful recovering drunk)


Member: Mike H
Location: Jackson Michigan
Remote Name: 68.76.50.82
Date: 12 Nov 2003
Time: 05:05 AM -0500

Comments

For me the greatest accomplishment since being sober is being alive. I almost died the last time around and I believe I have no more chances left. This has forced me to be willing to listen and change. I don't know whether AA brought me to my higher power or my higher power brought me to AA but I do know without either one I am hopeless.


Member: Les
Location: San Diego
Remote Name: 198.81.26.170
Date: 12 Nov 2003
Time: 07:46 PM -0500

Comments

My Eleventh Step Prayer; God, please, show me your will for me this day and give me the power to carry it out. I then sit quietly. If any thoughts come to my mind I, gently, let them go.


Member: Ardis ;) omardis at yahoo com
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast
Remote Name: 24.161.246.231
Date: 13 Nov 2003
Time: 12:43 AM -0500

Comments

Good topic Charlie. ====================== Lisa in Tx I also do love the Prayer of St. Francis of Assissi. That prayer caught my eye immediately on page 99 of the 12+12 when I read it. That's my goal also, to be so 'out of self' so 'self-less' one has to be a saint, I am not there yet, if ever -LOL- ====================== Of any steps, Step 11 is very much a part of my daily routine being in direct contact with my God. 'God I pray for the knowledge of Your Will for me at this moment and Your Power to carry that out, because I'm fighting life at life terms at the moment. Or if I am REALLY struggling, I say: 'Your Will be done' over and over like a mantra. That calms me down or removes a 'thinking' obsession (disciplines me) and I start walking in the sunlight of the Spirit again. It still amazes me that those simple 12 steps can have such a tremendous positive influence on our lives. I have to love the AA Program and the people putting this into practice in their lives, how could not I. November is gratitude month in AA, I am grateful to be a funtioning member of AA, a link in the chain and a member of society as a whole. Ardis ;) with a smiley wink.


Member: Barb Mc
Location: PA
Remote Name: 141.151.88.88
Date: 13 Nov 2003
Time: 09:16 AM -0500

Comments

Barbara, Alcoholic. I don't usually do something like this (share twice in a meeting) but I feel I have to reply to the person that doesn't have the guts to use his/her name advising me to get help. If you read what I said you would see that I DO NOT put God and AA on the same level. In my life there is NOTHING and NO ONE greater than my GOD. As for me being brainwashed you should talk to people I know. I have never and probably never will accept anyone or anything at face value. I question just about everything. Because my beliefs don't match yours I am judged by you. Why? I would never try to get anyone to believe the way I do. I came to my beliefs with a great deal of soul searching and study. THEY ARE MY BELIEFS. I don't judge you or anyone else. As far as I'm concerned you can believe in anything or anyone you want. You can make the moon your God if you want and if that works for you, fine. DON'T JUDGE ME AND DON'T TRY TO PUSH YOUR BELIEFS DOWN MY THROAT. I ain't swallowing. While I am on this planet I won't know if my beliefs are right or wrong. It is only when I leave this life that I will find out if I am right or wrong. Until that time I will put my life in my God's hands and try to live a good and sober life. And just what are you doing in an AA chat room if you don't like the AA way? Why do you feel that AA has let you down?


Member: Rarely
Location: Canada
Remote Name: 142.161.177.59
Date: 13 Nov 2003
Time: 09:37 AM -0500

Comments

I just don't get it What is meant by the 11 step prayer? What is the 11 step prayer? Is it in the big book? The prayer on page 99 of the 12x12 says its for the less fortunate that don't know how to pray. Im not one of those as I always sharpened up on praying while drinking God please get me out of this jack pot and I'll never do it again, I'll even say 3 Hail Marys and 4 Our Fathers. Oh yeah I always knew how to pray, But Im stumped when it comes to the 11 step prayer. I know that some times the older members incorporate there personal ideas into the program, and make it the gospil truth. Could this be one of those times? Just thought I would ask


Member: nicholas
Location: wellsboro,PA
Remote Name: 209.50.129.86
Date: 13 Nov 2003
Time: 10:50 AM -0500

Comments


Member: nicholas
Location: wellsboro,PA
Remote Name: 209.50.129.86
Date: 13 Nov 2003
Time: 10:57 AM -0500

Comments

Well, This program is awesome!I am eighteen and still in Highschool.So, I guess i could say i am very proud to have this progarm. It has taught me so many things that it seems unreal, but like a miracle. My attitudes and behaviors is turned to an 180 degree turn.Today I even help other,because I know I keep what i have bying giving it a way. I guess gratitude is in my favor. My HP has done so much for me and all I had to do was surrender.Well, I am glad to be sober today.


Member: aaron
Location: Boonies
Remote Name: 169.203.87.133
Date: 13 Nov 2003
Time: 03:47 PM -0500

Comments

When i stopped living in the problem and began living in the answer , the problem went away from that moment on , I have not had a single compulsion to drink and acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. When I am disturbed, it is because I find some person, place , thing or situation-some fact of my life-unacceptable to me, and I can find no serenity until I accept that person, place , thing, or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to be at ths moment Nothing, absolutely nothing, happens in Gods world by mistake. Until I could accept my alcoholism, I could not stayu sober, unless I accept life completely on life's terms, I cannot be happy. I need to concentrate not so much on what needs to be changed in the world as on what needs to e changed in me and in my attitudes. A.A. and acceptance have taught me that there is a bit of good in the worst of us and a bit of bad in the best of us; that we are all children of the great spirit and we each have a right to be here. When I focus on whats good today, I have a good day , and when I focus on whats bad, I have a bad day. If I focus on a problem, the problem increases; if I focus on the answer , the answer increases. This passage from acceptance was the answer helped me sober up not get locked up or covered up.


Member: aaron
Location: Boonies
Remote Name: 169.203.87.133
Date: 13 Nov 2003
Time: 03:53 PM -0500

Comments

anyone need advice or just another sober drunk to talk to Hosie_926@hotmail.com


Member: john b
Location: kentucky
Remote Name: 162.114.211.143
Date: 13 Nov 2003
Time: 04:15 PM -0500

Comments

John, alcoholic. I just celebrated 18 years sober recently, but unfortunately have until recently given the 11th step short shrift. I'd hurry through a rote prayer and skim my meditation book and that was about it. Last year I started setting aside about 20 minutes every morning to formally meditate - really just sitting in a comfortable position and imagining a calm setting. It calms my mind and sets the tone for the rest of the day. I also try to spend several minutes in prayer seeking a genuine conscious contact with God. The 11th step has paid great dividends for me in terms of greater balance and serenity. Too bad it took me so long to take the step as seriously as most the others. Still, better late than never. God bless.


Member: cathy d.
Location: Ann Arbor MI
Remote Name: 68.40.199.204
Date: 13 Nov 2003
Time: 09:38 PM -0500

Comments

Hi, I'm Cathy an alcoholic, 9 years sober thanks to AA. I try to remember to pray before I drive a car. I just ask God to help me drive safely. Recently I wrecked my tire rim by hitting a curb. I was rushing and had not prayed. For some reason I can drive well when I ask for help, and didn't drive well when I didn't ask for "higher help". Wake up call for me.


Member: Kelly M
Location: NH
Remote Name: 152.163.253.70
Date: 13 Nov 2003
Time: 10:22 PM -0500

Comments

Hi Rarely, The 11th Step prayer is on page 99 of the 12x12. Also known as the Saint Francis Prayer after the author. They say to not be biased against the prayer because he was considered to be a saint. He was not an alcoholic but did go through the emotional wringer. As he came out of the painful experience this prayer was his expression of what he saw and felt and wanted to become. I have known this prayer all my life and it has something for everyone, alcoholic or not. Here is a link to read it. Take care. http://www.aahistory.com/francis.html


Member: Rarely
Location: Canada
Remote Name: 142.161.190.138
Date: 13 Nov 2003
Time: 11:05 PM -0500

Comments

Kelly please read what the first line says on page 99 of the 12x12. The prayer of Saint Frances is for those who don't know how to pray or meditate. What about the rest of us who do know how? I went to your suggested web page and on the search engine tried to find the eleventh step prayer NOTHING rontherocket@hotmail.com


Member: Kelly M
Location: NH
Remote Name: 64.12.96.233
Date: 14 Nov 2003
Time: 12:23 AM -0500

Comments

Oops, Here it is. http://www.aainsa.org/ForTodAAy/Feb/13EleventhStepPrayer.htm


Member: toddc
Location: Indianapolis
Remote Name: 65.26.180.227
Date: 14 Nov 2003
Time: 07:16 AM -0500

Comments

I am somewhat new to the fellowship, this is my 2 week date today. I had lost my way spiritualy over the years , but in the process of working on my first step have relized that I have been watched over for years anyways. Thinking back about the things that had made my life unmanagable has made me relize that with some of the things I have done over the past 25 years, It is amazing that I am still alive and even more fortunate that no innocent people have been hurt or killed due to my usage. That has really brought me back into the fold of believing in my higher power, because I relize he has still been watching over me for all these years.


Member: cathy d.
Location: Ann Arbor MI
Remote Name: 68.40.199.204
Date: 14 Nov 2003
Time: 09:15 AM -0500

Comments

Hi this is cathy (alcoholic). Toddc, want to thank you for your 11th step thoughts. Applause for your second week too.


Member: DM
Location: Campbell
Remote Name: 63.110.79.213
Date: 14 Nov 2003
Time: 11:54 AM -0500

Comments

Devin, Alcoholic. I wanted to respond to "what is your greatest achievement while being sober." I know, for a fact, I would have never been able to become friends with my would be wife if I have been drinking. I know also that if I did not have this program I would not have been able to be in a relationship with her as well. This program has taught me patience, understanding and giving. This program has taught me how to get out of myself and my worries and help another person. If I were not sober, I would not have the life that I have now. My life is filled with people that care for me and with people I can care for. Love to you all.


Member: Aaron W.
Location: Portland OR
Remote Name: 12.224.118.198
Date: 15 Nov 2003
Time: 06:34 AM -0500

Comments

Today is my Birthday! I just got a year and I'm so glad Thank you AA, Praise God I'll be headed to my home group The Eastside 7AM daily group (nice and early.) Even have someone picking me up. I hope everyone stays sober and lives the AA way of life. This moment is perfect has could be Just because you don't believe doesn't make it not true. So hang in there if you are still suffering.


Member: Nadine
Location: The Finger Lakes,NYS
Remote Name: 64.80.10.246
Date: 15 Nov 2003
Time: 01:13 PM -0500

Comments

{}{}{}{}{}{}{ !!CONGRATS AARON!! }{}{}{}{}{}{}{} AIN'T LIFE GRAND!!!!!!!!! I'm comming up on 14 months. If you told me 14 months ago that I would be clean and sober, living happy,joyous and free, I would have told you to have another shot!!!! But look at us now! God Bless you and let's keep comming back!!!


Member: Dean
Location: Fargo
Remote Name: 24.116.187.26
Date: 15 Nov 2003
Time: 03:09 PM -0500

Comments

thats great Barb, we all have our own conceptions of God,to me I have no problem with religons, why should I? why should I still fight anyone or anything, you said the Bible was just written by men, thats true and so were the big book and 12+12, the founders of AA used the bible for inspiration and other books like "sermon on the mount" by emmit fox, all of these books for me are helpfull in my daily contact with my higher power, but i do understand and accept everyone is different,and may not do as i do, my personal belief is these books are God breathed and that God can work through the written word as well as anyone person.


Member: mrs
Location: lake orion mi
Remote Name: 152.163.253.70
Date: 16 Nov 2003
Time: 01:54 AM -0500

Comments

mrs greatful recovering alcholic thanks everybody for sharing great topic i needed to be here its amazing how the teacher will appear when the student is ready coincidecne i dont think so i have lived my past years thinking that i was controling everthiny around me boy was that stressful time consuming and wasteful its a long ways out of the woods but everyday im blessed with is a chance to be a better person 11th step a conciece contact with my HP helps to bring me to be that person that my HP has put here for a purpose its not for me to know until judgement day but i keep trying remembering to KEEP IT SIMPLE and TURN IT OVER we all have our own understanding of right and wrong i know in my using days i was good at making black look blue glad im here life is sooo muucccchhhh beetttteeerrrr CONGRADS EVERYBODY ON ANOTHER DAY SOBER