I was about 5 when I had my first taste of alcohol. I was 16 when I had my first drink. I drank for 26 years, almost to the day. When I came to Alcoholics Anonymous, I thought my life was over, that it had gone from color to black and white. I didn't have enough courage to kill myself, so I thought I'd live out my days glumly, pitifully and hopelessly. And now that I've been sober for 15 years, it's nothing like that at all.
If you persist, remarkable things will happen. When we look back, we realize that the things which came to us when we put ourselves in God's hands were better than anything we could have planned. Follow the dictates of a Higher Power and you will presently live in a new and wonderful world, no matter what your present circumstances.Today I am grateful for:— Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 100
- My Higher Power
- Bill W. and Dr. Bob
- The program of Alcoholics Anonymous
- The fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous—all its members, past and present
13 comments:
I find it rather odd that you credit all your success to AA,HP, & Bob and Bill.
while I am grateful and awed by the founders, I am very dismayed that they did NOT practice the principles they preached. Belief in a higher power is beneficial, but no, God doesn't get me out of bed , or drive me to meetings.
While I do give credit to rehabs,sober hoses and the rooms; it is ME, that keeps me sober today.
Thank you for your comment, John and Deb. I really do appreciate having my statements challenged and agree, to a limited extent, with what you say.
I credit Bill and Bob simply because, without them, there would be no A.A. No question, they were mere mortals. But as far as I can tell, they practiced the principles they preached at least as well as I have.
Clearly, your conception of HP is different from mine. I have seen too many who are no less deserving than I am but who haven't been able to stay sober. I can only credit the grace of God. At the same time I acknowledge that there are certain things, referred to frequently in the Big Book, that I have tried to do most of the time and that these things help me stay sober. As I've said before, it's a paradox.
Congrats on 15 years!!! That is a major accomplishment- you should be so proud. It must have taken a lot of work and you're definitely an inspiration to newcomers like me. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Enjoy your day! Go you!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Good gratitude list, ditto! What are you going to do to 'celebrate'? Hope you have a meaningful, & fun birthday.
hAAppy birthdAy
Happy anniversary Trinker! I knocked it on the head at 23 and havent had a drink or any other mind bending drug (prescribed or otherwise, not including surgery anesthetics) for 20 years, 7 months, 17 days. Seems to work!
Like you, I reckon it is ALL due to a power greater than myself, which I have yet to understand.
May you have many more! A day at a time and all that.. Good work.
Many heartfelt congratulations to you, NL! It is so great to see your success. You inspire.
Thanks to all for the nice comments on my anniversary.
sharonsjourney asked,"What are you going to do to 'celebrate'?"
Well, Sharon, first thing in the morning I went to a meeting—a Big Book Step Study meeting, where one friend even knew it was my anniversary before I announced it—and last thing at night my parents took me and my wife out to dinner. Only the latter wasn't because it was my anniversary, but because it was the first Saturday night all we had free since my "belly-button" birthday more than 3 months ago, LOL!
On Thursday one of the meetings I attend regularly is celebrating their 37th(?) anniversary with a meal and by having my sponsor's first sponsor, with something like 48 years, speak. That's where I'll probably pick up my medallion.
Other than that I'll celebrate like I always do: making financial contributions to GSO, to the Area and to my local Intergroup, and by spending the next year helping any still-suffering alcoholics I can find get and stay sober, one day at time. They shouldn't be too hard to find, don't ya think?
congratulations on your 15 years, yipheeeeee!!!!!
first congrats on your 15 fifteen years, must be a hell of a ride you're on. and my take is the congrats does go partially to you for keeping that channel open when your old self would've wanted to close it, for remembering what something greater than you told you, and just generally, for believing in ... your role in a life bigger than you I guess.
people kinder than me, people smarter than me, people wiser than me, people older than me, people younger than me, people funnier than me, people just like me, have started down this road and died
just...because...that's the way it is
my good fortune has little to do with me, but failure to take advantage of my good fortune for the benefit of others, would have everything to do with me
thank you for reminding me of that
and congrats again (and good blog)
-byron
Happy Anniversary!
I am a little late to the party, but no less pleased to see a fellow alcoholic reach such a milestone.
May you have many more.
Congratulations of your 15th AA birthday and a happy start to the beginning of your 16th year of sobriety.
Not only is credit due to AA and its founders and to your HP, but also to your willingness to stay active in the program, to practice the principles in all facets of your life, and to remaining open to wherever the spiritual path may lead you.
I enjoy reading your posts and am happy to make your acquaintance here in blogland.
Congratulations on 15 years and thank you for visiting my blog and offering me your experience, strength and hope. I am grateful to be able to share my newfound sobriety with folks such as yourself.
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