Member: Charlie Darling
Location: Ft Myers Fl via Key West Fl
Date: 1/12/2003
Time: 7:40:41 AM

Comments

Good morning Family Charlie Darling a very grateful recovering alcholic. What I have been thinkung about for awhile now is acceptance, and I have learned to accept alot over the past few years. As when I was out there drinking I could never accept, as I just thought if I was accepted etc. But it was I that had to learn to accept things in my life and try not to change them. Today I can accept all that is put in front of me without a question, as I know my HP as me where I am suppose to be. The hardest thing I had to accept was that I was an alcholic, and I could not drink, and today that is alright. I guess acceptance was one of the hardest things for when when I camee into the fellowship, and I just want to thank AA and the fellowship for accepting me as I was then and I am now. I would never be where I am today without acceptance. Again thank you my family. Love you all Charlie


Member: Landscape Ray
Location: Scotland
Date: 1/12/2003
Time: 7:57:34 AM

Comments

Hi first here i use the Serenity Prayer every day even though AA did not originate it, but things in my life to-day that i cant change and sometimes accepting is hard , and the courage to change the things i can, and the wisdom to know the difference ,serenity makes me look at things in a different light to-day it keeps my balance in my mind some times my wisdom can be one sided and change can be hard but i know i have to change to go forward in this program, attitude and not running away from everyday situations, god bless RAY


Member: Denise B
Location: SW Missouri
Date: 1/12/2003
Time: 9:40:17 AM

Comments

Hi y'all. It's been a long time since I've written in this venue - but I've kept reading. It was great when I was unable to go to face-to-face meetings. And still great now that I can tell others about this - and for me to get more positiveness. Acceptance. So glad I finally accepted what I was and what my life had become. Once you choose to accept - its like a . . . a . . . foundation or something. A place to start building from. Changing from. Knowing now that I'm an alcoholic - I know that I cannot have this uncontrollable force of alcohol in my life in any way, shape or form. Not in a business setting. Not people who do. Not selling it, even in a grocery store!!!! because it puts me in contact with the chaotic (unmanageable) world that my Higher Power has helped me to escape from. And how I don't want to go back there. Thanks for listening to my grateful ramblings. And so glad y'all are keeping this Staying Cyber thing going. Love you so. Have a good day and . . . Take it easy!


Member: Cindi P.
Location: Chippewa Falls
Date: 1/12/2003
Time: 10:38:35 AM

Comments

Hi, my name is Cindi P. and I am an alcoholic. Two of the first three tools I used to stay sober are mentioned in the first two postings. GMC? Acceptance was a huge hurdle for me because controlling, manipulative behavior can be my strongest character defect. My first job in sobriety was being a teacher's aide in the school our sons attended, so I knew how they were doing in classes almost immediately. And I believed that their success or failure reflected my quality as a parent. The Serenity Prayer taught me that I did not have any control in this situation; in fact, I sorely needed the wisdom to stay out of it. I had also just taken a geograpic, which involved lots of finagling to get a family of five to move. I really had to learn to let go and let God. I felt useless, when actually I started accepting that I had no control over anybody's lives. Acceptance of life (and myself) as it is today is very important for me. I cannot be of service to others if I am wrapped up in directing anything. My HP has given me the gift of acceptance and peace and serenity today. And for that I am grateful. PS. The third tool was regular attendance at meetings.


Member: Joy S
Location: Chas. SC
Date: 1/12/2003
Time: 11:07:01 AM

Comments

Good topic. I can never be reminded enough that I have to accept the things i can't change. When I got to AA, my life was a mess. It had been for a long time. I either fought against that, or gave up. Now I don't do either. I have to give my difficulties over to my HP and have the courage to face them as they are. I had a pretty rough time of things from childhood on and it was easier to rewrite my history- to make it seem nicer than it was. Doing the steps showed me the truth and pinpointed the sorce of my pain and alcoholism. As much as it was hard to see it clear, and accept it, today I have alot to offer others who went through the sort f stuff I did. It- the program- gave me a whole different take on it all. I had to realize that although alot of early things were out of my control, as these patterns and events had damaged me, that I had been the one who kept them active in my life. I have had to do a 4th on myself and it is releasing me.(Athough not as quickly as I'd like, acceptance, acceptance!)I like this site, it's nice to see your postings. You help me. Thank you._


Member: AZbill
Location: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Date: 1/12/2003
Time: 11:33:28 AM

Comments

HI. Bill here. Alcoholic from Arizona. The day I walked in to these rooms, I did not believe AA would work. The only reason I was even there was to accompany a friend who did not want to attend his first meeting alone. I had just come off a year or so binge. Maybe less..I don't know. Two things occurred that night that were significant in me getting and staying sober. First a gentleman took me outside the meeting and told me I was sick and you all were going to help me get well. I was impressed that he did not say that openly at the meeting in front of everyone. He took me aside. No ego, just man to man quiet conversation. The second thing that happened was the friend I took to that meeting came up to me with a freshly bought Big Book and told me he believed AA would work. He moved in with me the next day and we started through the steps. That was all the acceptance I needed. One, I really believed I was sick because I felt sick. Two, I was willing to give you all a chance. I had nothing to lose. Thank you for being a part of my sobriety today. Bill email: az-bill@mindspring.com


Member: Kim V
Location: Mars Hill, NC
Date: 1/12/2003
Time: 12:47:32 PM

Comments

Hi Kim V here, alcoholic. I always was a control freak so acceptance was a big change for me. Even after being in the program almost 7 years I have to remind myself whose in charge on a daliy basis. Good thing we don't have to do these steps perfect or I never would have made it this far. But every day I get a little better at it. I have learned to accept myself as I am, flaws and all and just work on it one day at a time. Today I accept God's plan for me although i wish he would sometimes tell me what it is in my time not his. I also find when I start trying to control things my life starts to get unmanageable real fast. I just need to remember whose driving the car. Still Powerless Kim V


Member: Jan
Location:
Date: 1/12/2003
Time: 1:08:20 PM

Comments

Hi, Jan, alcoholic. Acceptance is the answer to all my problems today...One of my favorite sayings that I picked up in the rooms is "An expectation is a resentment waiting to happen." I first try to not get attached to outcomes, but failing that, I try to look for the possible positive outcomes or lessons to be learned in a situation that may not turn out the way I want, and that helps me with acceptance and avoiding resentment. I remind myself on a regular basis that I can't control anyone's behavior but my own, that it isn't what happens to me that is important, but rather how I react to it. I used to let the most mundane disappointments grow in my mind to the most horrible hurts and slights, but now I can see that other people have the same problems and worse and that they can cope and move on, and so can I.


Member: Andrew
Location: CT
Date: 1/12/2003
Time: 1:17:36 PM

Comments

The big problem I have with acceptance is the powerlessness. I have a need to think I am in control. My sponsor said to regard myself as "mentally ill", now this I really have a problem with. It may be true but I don't like the connotations connected with it. I assume that if I can come around to accept this that it will help. Your views on this matter are appreciated. Thanks in advance.


Member: Queche
Location: New London
Date: 1/12/2003
Time: 1:28:32 PM

Comments

Does anyone know of a site similar to this one that addresses opiate or painkiller addiction?


Member: Brian F
Location: Scotland
Date: 1/12/2003
Time: 2:23:32 PM

Comments

My name is Brian, and I'm an alcoholic. Great topic. Can Iidentify with a lot of what's been posted already, especially Joy. The childhood stuff. I accepted the first part of the first step at my first meeting. Took a lot longer to begin to accept the secon part. I was a manager, how could my life be unmanageable? Now I can see that it was unmanageable, way before I picked up my first drink, booze just maintained the illusion. I would go to meetings, sharing fully the drama of my life. People would say, "you need to read p449, Brian". So I'd go home and read it. It didn't make any sense to me!! I'm glad I hung around long enough to be show that, for me, acceptance is a process, just like to understand p449 I had to read p448 etc. I'm at ifferent stages of acceptance in different areas of my life. But I know God as a plan for my life, that I have accepted, thanks to AA.


Member: Beto L
Location: Tampico, Mexico
Date: 1/12/2003
Time: 2:29:19 PM

Comments

The primary thing I had to accept was step one. I am powerless over alcohol-my life had become unmanageable. As far as accepting everything other than myself, I don't. There are some things that are unacceptable. It is unloving of me to put up with unacceptable behavior.


Member: too shy to say
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Date: 1/12/2003
Time: 2:39:13 PM

Comments

Queche - perhaps this site will be of help in reaching others who share the opiate/painkiller addiction. <http://na.basicwebpage.org> God bless you and please come to the coffeepot and let us know how you're doing.


Member: John H
Location: Hoosier Land USA
Date: 1/12/2003
Time: 4:38:23 PM

Comments

Good day and week to all. John here, an alcoholic. God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I can't change. To me this means to shut those things out of my mind, so as to provide time, thought and solutions to change the things I can and should. I must concentrate and pray for answers from God for support and the wisdom to change what should be changed. Committment to the program, it's 12 steps and traditons with honest effort and courage will keep us from that first drink. Time with patience and faith will carry us thru the hills and valleys. That I accept at the same time that I realize that only the first step can I work perfectly. Accomplishing that, we are assured progress and growth in all other areas of the program. God blesses us all; we need only to connect with God as best we can to feel and get better. Love to you all


Member: Kathy D
Location: AM, OH
Date: 1/12/2003
Time: 5:04:28 PM

Comments

Hi..I'm Kathy and I am an alcoholic. Part of acceptance is accepting the solution to the problem. When I first came to AA I could accept that I was powerless over alcohol but I could not accept that abstinence from alcohol is the only solution, for me, to this disease. Today I can accept this.


Member: Jeff B
Location: N. Cal
Date: 1/12/2003
Time: 6:13:39 PM

Comments

Hi, my name is Jeff and I am an alcoholic. Acceptance is one of those words that sometimes gets used like it has only one meaning and every person knows it and we are all thinking the same thing. In AA someone taught me to look up the words like this in the Dictionary and then also try and understand the opposite of them. I remembered to try it on this word and then re-read the shares above.....good stuff. For me acceptance comes easily when things are the way that I think they should be; and acceptance very difficult when things are not going my way. Accepting/believing in AA and God is saving my life. There is a solution and I need to keep going (the other options suck). Thanks to everyone for being here. PS. Andrew - it sounds like you are doing great! - accepting everything without question would not be smart. I stuck my feedback in the coffee pot (for what its worth) on the "mentally ill" thing.


Member: Sharon Frey
Location: rainy, cool, Portland,OR
Date: 1/12/2003
Time: 9:01:06 PM

Comments

Acceptance and Serenity Prayer.. To me they are very close to being one and the same. I had to learn how to accept and the short version of the Serenity Prayer, I can't He can, I better let Him. Also change the things I can (me) accept the things I cannot change (people, places, situations, and things) and the wisdom to know the difference between me and them. This has worked for more than 24 years and I know it will work as long as I live and work the steps in all areas of my life. Good topic.


Member: Stella P.
Location: MIddle of the Sticks, OK
Date: 1/12/2003
Time: 10:53:46 PM

Comments

Alcoholic, name is Stella. Sometimes easier said than done. Still trying to gain my mental balance after 4 year relapse. Husband and kids 1500 miles away. Hellooooo. . .how did I get here? It was the unmanageability part; I kept managing and managing and managing myself right into a 3.5 day coma, a bankruptcy, loss of custody of children, and not a clue what I want out of life. Move forward, I hear the cry. . .Yes, I can accept who and what I am, I have a belief in an HP, and I even trust my HP. Just don't have a clue what it is I want to do. Guess HP will reveal to me if I do what I am supposed to do. Sure would like to tell the husband what his job is though. Oooops! wrong program. They told me "more would be revealed" didn't know it ran this deep. Grateful to be clean and sober today, thanks for the post.


Member: Joe R
Location: Eastern Washington
Date: 1/13/2003
Time: 12:33:07 AM

Comments

Hi I am Joe R. one of the hardest thing for me is to admitting that I am an alcoholic. But after taking stock of myself I see that when I drank I could not stop after one drink. So I realized I had a problem as an alcoholic.The Lords prayer and the serenity prayer helps me not to drink. So I came to one conclusion you cannot serve two masters. Drink alcohol and you serve satan, refrain from drinking and we serve our God Lord and Savier Jesus Christ. So we must make our choice


Member: Ed Z.
Location:
Date: 1/13/2003
Time: 12:43:54 AM

Comments

Ed Z. alcoholic and cross addicted. No, I am not battling addiction to crosses. In recovery as an alcoholic I was warned through reading and road testing by others that narcotics and many other addictions from gambling to most obsessive compulsive diseases. As many old timers say and believe becuase this is how they got old. A drug is a drug is a drug and king alcohol rules. Many lose sobriety by denial through replacing alcohol with pain killers weed pills by the bottle. Sooner or later most find the bottle around the corner because our senses become blurred and forget powerlessness. Respected judges send cross addicted alcoholics to AA to quit and stay stopped. Many respectable men and women in recovery know the pain of substitution or judges demanding AA for addicts or prison. Guess what? Us alcoholics again become blessed by our higher power by staying sober. Hoping that acceptance to all, means not underestimate the power, cunning and baffling ability of alcohol. Codeine by many to replace liquor is too common. Thanks for reading, extended family.


Member: Kathleen
Location: Floral City, Florida
Date: 1/13/2003
Time: 9:04:14 AM

Comments

Hello everyone, Kathleen here alcoholic. Thanks for all the posts. Got home from work about 8am this morning...and in so much physical pain can hardly breath but thats the norm and I can either accept it and be "reasonably happy" or sit in self pity and end up drinking again. Been there done that and don't wanna go there anymore. I love this program of AA. The 12 steps have given me so much freedom. I drank daily for geez 20 some years and ended up on skid row. I am so grateful today to be sober and able to work in a profession I love. Is it easy?? Not at all...some days are very hard, like this morning being in pain. But the options are a heck of alot worse so acceptance has to be in my life today for me to have any kind of serenity at all. Thanks again for your posts and allowing me to share..


Member: mark wagner
Location: saugerties ny usa
Date: 1/13/2003
Time: 9:14:26 AM

Comments

Mark Wagner , alcoholic, acceptance is a gift, before I can get there I need the gift of awareness, which after a time comes acceptance, and then action. Acceptance does't mean that I have to like it just be in reality about it. There has been alot of talk about the serenity prayer. I have found it usefull to get definitions for myself about what word and concepts mean to me. Serenity is not the absence of a crisis but the ability to deal with it. Courage is fear that is prayed over. Wisdom is experience and if I don't have any there are plenty of people in AA that do and I ask them if I can use their's. If I don't drink I can't get drunk, nothing is so bad a drink can't make worse, and if I don't drink today I won't have to drink tomorrow.


Member: Craig L (Dogmanor@yahoo.com)
Location: Aloha, Oregon
Date: 1/13/2003
Time: 10:48:48 AM

Comments

Acceptance is another one of those AA concepts I could not grasp while I was in my disease and early on in recovery. I thought I drank and used drugs because I could not accept the intolerable situation of my life and everything else I saw in the world. I thought acceptance was a bitter medicine, I had to swallow like cod liver oil. I thought if I wanted to stay sober I had to become a sniveling wimp, resigning myself to everything life dished out. Thanks to AA and the steps, I discovered a serenity which was unimaginable while I was still in the insanity of myself. Acceptance for me comes by returning to the present moment. I cannot change the past and the future has not happened, but this alcoholics mind can turn it into a nightmare of awful possibilities. Today when I find myself agitated, I try to recognize my ego, I try to come back and find the joyful wonder in the present moment.


Member: Scott K
Location: Rochester, NY
Date: 1/13/2003
Time: 12:07:48 PM

Comments

Hi my name is Scott and I'm an alcoholic. Accepting the truth that I am an alcoholic was the biggest hurdle to get over for me also. Once I was able to do that, things started falling into place. I have been able to finish the 2nd half of first step and move on to finish 2 & 3. I am now doing a 4th step (like you Joy S.) and it is opening up all kinds of new things that are requiring my acceptance. Right off the bat, I started with an autobiography, boy was that revealing!! Now its on to a lot of soul searching and I am excited. It feels good to be looking at things, being truthful about myself and just plain getting better even though it is a lot of work. I am very grateful for this program, it saved my life. Thanks for listening


Member: Bob S.
Location: Salt Lake City
Date: 1/13/2003
Time: 12:46:24 PM

Comments

Hi friends, I'm Bob and an alcoholic....a very grateful one. When I got here I had been using my own brain to decide what "was" in this universe (read, my life). The very organ that I was poisoning with alcohol and had been for 20 years. It took awhile for me to be even remotely "see" that fact and get some insight into how absolutely ridiculous that was. I had to learn to rely on others in A.A. to interpret for me what was going on in me and my life. I got this message about myself while in a treatment program, and they informed my in a dignified, if firmly and directly, way. The rest of that message came in A.A. meetings I went to, 5 per week, while there. When I started writing down on paper, the exact details of my life and its condition, the evidence was both irrefutable and glaring. I couldn't deny it no matter what. Acceptance of me as ill and not able to care for myself felt like a weakness or liability, and I was flooded with shame about it. But, I and my life were in such bad shape it became easy to see. Seeing and accepting me as I was/am has become my strength. I've taken that skill into the rest of my life and it is a huge part of the stable foundation I've built the rest of my life on. Who'd-a-thunk it. A primary strength and virtue coming from what seemed like such a huge liability. From that early experience with my shame, I've learned that the things I tend to want to cover up, bury, run from, are those that are the most important to walk through, to grow up. Truly, acceptance is the key. There is alot I don't have to accept about "stuff" in my life. The message in the Serenity Prayer helps me decide what is mine to do and deal with vs what's not. Thanks for letting me share what works for me and thanks for the great topic Charlie. Hugs, Bob


Member: Lessa E
Location: Chicago
Date: 1/13/2003
Time: 12:54:06 PM

Comments

Lessa E here, very grateful recovering alcoholic. Acceptance is a great topic, Charlie Darling, thanks. Thanks too, to Landscape Ray for the close follow up of the Serenity prayer. There are two folks in the program whose lives are miserable now. They've been in the program for years and have never cleaned house. They've asked for my help but refuse to believe the steps will work..."it's not a drinking problem". Well, this drunk's alcoholism wasn't really about drinking and I tell them this. But they do not want to hear it. I know they don't want a solution - they prefer living in the problem. But, rather than detach from them, I've been on a mission to "convert" them and see that the program can be applied to all areas. And it's futile. Thanks very much for reminding me of this - I badly needed to hear it. "Acceptance is the answer to all my problems" (pg 417 BB 4t ed., 449 3rd edition>) Regarding the serenity prayer, I heard that in its oldest form - the handwritten one that was found as part of a sermon, it was written, "grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I SHOULD and the wisdom to know the difference." Boy, does that ever make sense...given the opportunity, this alkie will go about changing EVERYTHING I can, whether it's wise or not. I need to ponder the 'change the things I SHOULD." Thanks for letting me share... lessa_e@hotmail.com


Member: Dan S
Location: Vancouver, Wa
Date: 1/13/2003
Time: 1:07:14 PM

Comments

Yes, I think it is our similarities that we need to accept. Not wasting time on our denials. We have a disease...... remember we are not alone in our recovery. Dan S


Member: Harriet B.
Location: Guelph ON CAN
Date: 1/13/2003
Time: 2:06:55 PM

Comments

Dear fellow members: There is a very good website located in Toronto Canada. It deals with all sorts and styles of addiction: www.markelliot.com I have not yet accepted the ugly truth of my alcohol addiction. The powerlessness and unmanageability have knocked me down several times. Just how many times can one be crushed by this condition and thus be salvageable? I'm so grateful to this site--it's helped me alot when I am in no condition to wonder out into the real world.I'll continue to read the AAA book, Grapevine ---etc. So thanks for sharing your lives with me.


Member: Dan S
Location: Vancouver, Wa
Date: 1/13/2003
Time: 2:11:49 PM

Comments

I am powerless with my addiction and thankfully have fully accepted that knowledge. Dan S


Member: Anne M
Location: LI, NY
Date: 1/13/2003
Time: 4:53:01 PM

Comments

HI everyone, I'm Anne & I'm an alcoholic. I don't know, sometimes I think I'm such a shallow person. I must be missing something. When I came to AA 8 months ago I was told I had to learn acceptance. I kicked and fought for a few months, but more often than not, now I do accept what is dealt to me. Is it really just that simple? Because I don't seem to be having a problem with acceptance. I feel like a sponge whose shelf-live had over-expired....I was long overdue to be unwrapped and submerged in something so I could soak it all up. And that's what I'm doing with this program, and it's been fairly simple and easy. So that makes me feel that maybe I am repressing so much that I don't even know about - because how can this be so simple? Hmmm, I suppose that more will be revealed.... Anne M.


Member: Susan
Location: Vernon, Connecticut
Date: 1/13/2003
Time: 6:11:13 PM

Comments

Hi, I'm Susan, and I'm an Alcoholic. (You're OK, Ann M. Early on I was told that this is a simple program for complicated people. Accept the gift, and keep going to meetings 8^) ). Thanks for the topic on Acceptance. This gave me ALOT of trouble at first - I thought to accept something/someone meant I had to like it, or agree with it - it meant that I lost and you won. It was hard for me to 'quit fighting'. I love the reminders in the "Doctor, Alcoholic, Addict" story that when I'm disturbed, it's because something/place/person/etc is unacceptable TO ME (there's my ego and self-centeredness). I have to disgard my 'rights' and my expectations. How important is it really? I got alot of help from "My Serenity is directly proportional to my level of acceptance". It has always worked for me when I accept, and talk to God, and then do whatever is in front of me to do. Thank you all for being here and helping me stay sober. Susan A.


Member: joe don
Location: nova scotia
Date: 1/13/2003
Time: 6:26:10 PM

Comments

hi joe - alcoholic. for me acceptance to change the things i can, meant change the people around me remove the problem, "drinking people" from my life. an courage to change the things i can meant, to change the person in me i have to change my habets my thinking my way of life. wisdon to know the differents is simple do i want to be a drunk or live sober an maybe help someone else some day may he find you now joe


Member: LarryJ
Location:
Date: 1/13/2003
Time: 7:43:21 PM

Comments

Hi, everyone-- Larry here, alcoholic. This is my first time here, and I'd just like to urge everyone out there to focus on gratitute, acceptance of your alcoholism as a disease, and avoiding resentments. When I resent something or someone, I'm far more likely to feel the need to drink. When I drink, I'm far from all I can be, and I owe it to God and my family not to be any less than my best. Hang in there, all!!!


Member: Sue
Location:
Date: 1/13/2003
Time: 7:47:18 PM

Comments

Hi, I'm Sue, alcoholic. I'm confused. If i don't accept something, what other option do i really have? If i don't accept the fact that the earth is round, it's still round. I accept things but want to accept them and be reasonably happy about it. I accept that i am facing being locked up. accept it or not, it is a fact and i cannot change it. what i CAN CHANGE IS MY ATTITUDE TOWARDS IT. an oldtimer from texas once told me that misery is optional. how cool is that? thank you for always being here.


Member: Jim B
Location: Nor Cal
Date: 1/13/2003
Time: 9:33:22 PM

Comments

My name is Jim, I am an Alcoholic... That fact Accepted. I just needed to check in with AA. It's been a few months. Celebrated my 5th yr in Nov. however just had some Oral gum surgery on Friday, Doc gave me Vicadin... i was doped all weekend. Forgot what it was like to be feeling NUMB, or just Numbing the feelings. Anyhow, just proud that through the strenghth of my Higher Power I flushed all remaining pills this morning. Well ,thanks for being here...I'm Jim, still and always will be, an ALcoholic.


Member: Dennis H.
Location: Austin TX
Date: 1/13/2003
Time: 11:28:48 PM

Comments

If I can accept the fact that there is a God who loves me, will take care of me and, has a plan for me, then all I have to do is get outta the way and let Him. I have found in the last 4+ years of my sobriety that all of my problems arise from my own making.


Member: Kyle R.
Location: NM
Date: 1/13/2003
Time: 11:43:40 PM

Comments

All of the screwed up situations in my life have one thing in common.ME!


Member: Drew H
Location: Sydney, Australia
Date: 1/14/2003
Time: 1:59:18 AM

Comments

Hi, I'm 24 yrs old and haven't needed to drink for over 3 years. It was 3 months prior to my 21st when I came to AA. That in itself was the hardest thing for me to accept! Over time I met the people who were going to carry the simple message(s) that I needed to hear. Today I try to live my life focusing on this phrase; "Simplicity, Acceptance and Time." Those 3 simple words help me through every situation (either in reality or in my mind)and acceptance of my life today comes with a lot less struggle than ever before. Thanx for being there...... Drew .


Member: anonymous
Location:
Date: 1/14/2003
Time: 6:19:11 AM

Comments

Kyle R., you or you and alchohol? I bet you and your HP can perform some amazing feats!


Member: Leland
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Date: 1/14/2003
Time: 12:10:41 PM

Comments

Leland, alcoholic. Did someone read my inventory this week? Perfect topic and I know it applies because my first reaction to the first post was "aw come on how bland and simple... acceptance, I don't need that." Yeah right, hello!?! Barring any cliches, accepting what is and who are will be my passport to another level of freedom. I lock myself in with fighting others and thinking about what could be rather than surrendering and taking countance of what is. I'm absolutely running around in my mind, simply because this is 4 days prior to an AA anniversary. I know I get a little nutty around this time, and I guess I accept that. What I need to remember is that my boss here at the office is not the real boss, that would be the old HP. And I need to remember even after all this time that the simply things work. Serenity prayer is all about turning it over and acceptance. I need to be teachable today and make it my mantra for today. Thanks for the "simply" topic.


Member: AnilG
Location: MtVernon,IL
Date: 1/14/2003
Time: 6:32:14 PM

Comments

I am an alcoholic acceptance is something I learnt first thing when I joined AA and learned my serenity prayer. accept the things I can not change I relized it how much wise satament is that it made my life much more easiar with no frustration in my life or help me in my on going spirituality. and making peace with GOD. help me do my steps thanks to aa and alanon.


Member: Rani M
Location:
Date: 1/14/2003
Time: 6:49:54 PM

Comments

Hi, Rani here, alcholic and addict. Today I have to accept that after 8 years of sobriety, I drank again. Asking, why, why, why??? The answer is simple and yet so very complicated. I drifted away from the program, I stopped talking, I started isolating, detaching from everything, including my HP. I stopped working the steps, stopped going to meetings. It didn't happen in one night, nor was there any specific reason or "trigger". "Cunning, baffling, powerful.... My name is Rani and I'm an alcholic. Today I'm clean and sober. Thank you God, thank you AA.


Member: Rani M
Location: Canada
Date: 1/14/2003
Time: 6:50:58 PM

Comments

Hi, Rani here, alcholic and addict. Today I have to accept that after 8 years of sobriety, I drank again. Asking, why, why, why??? The answer is simple and yet so very complicated. I drifted away from the program, I stopped talking, I started isolating, detaching from everything, including my HP. I stopped working the steps, stopped going to meetings. It didn't happen in one night, nor was there any specific reason or "trigger". "Cunning, baffling, powerful.... My name is Rani and I'm an alcholic. Today I'm clean and sober. Thank you God, thank you AA.


Member: Catherine M.
Location: California
Date: 1/14/2003
Time: 7:22:51 PM

Comments

This is my first visit to the site, and certainly not my last! Thank you all for your comments. Reading through them all made me realize that and accept that I AM POWERLESS OVER ALCOHOL! It has a much stronger hold on me and I can not manage it. Thanks for helping me to reaffirm this to myself.


Member: Joy S.
Location: Chas.SC
Date: 1/14/2003
Time: 8:51:28 PM

Comments

Leland-you are 4 days from your anniversary?! So am I, 2yrs on Saturday the 18th!Congrads! Thanks for saying you get a little nutty, I thought it was just me! I was wondering if something was seriously wrong with me! Well besides the stuff I already know about HAHA! Have a good safe and sober one.


Member: Erma
Location:
Date: 1/15/2003
Time: 12:20:37 AM

Comments

My idea of acceptance has for years now been that it means I face the facts head on and say"ok,good,bad, or indifferent...this is the way it is.Now what do I do next." Accaptance allows me to get on with my life no matter what is going on.It's honesty " like it or not this is the naked truth".....openmindedness "I need suggestions on where I go from this naked truth"...and the willingness to learn to live with or courage to change the naked truth.It's the giving up of denial for me followed by the action required to fit me back into my own skin.Sometimes I think the way I try to explain things must sound really screwy to other people.Acceptance allows me to get on with life.Until I faced the facts I kept running into that brick wall with my head saying" geez,that hurts" Then I listened to someone one day who said " hey,maybe if you try over here this way it won't be so painful and you'll be able to get to where you're trying to go."Anyway,I'll keep showing up trying to grow up.Thanks for your patience with me.


Member: Chris T
Location: San Diego, Ca
Date: 1/15/2003
Time: 1:44:25 AM

Comments

Chris T here, grateful alcoholic. Here's one way I heard it. God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change(everything) The courage to change the things I can(ME) and the wisdom to know the difference(God). Acceptance is difficult, and it always turns out to be the beginning for me. I have to look for my part in everything. Then its into action, talking to others, calling my sponser, doing commitments. Did I ever do or accept anything before AA? I know the REAL answer to that. Only if it benefitted me, or so I thought. There is very little benefit in serving only myself. AA has given me a chance to reach my potential. To live as a part of society, to be a good member. To have real friends who love me. To get my family back. To have some self esteem. All the things my alcoholism took away from me. Is there magic here? Maybe just God being merciful to those who want to get better. Acceptance is my spirituallity. Doing His will is my commitment to myself. This program is simple, but not easy. Easy was getting numb and staying that way. Thank God IT just stopped working so I could find my way here. Chris T


Member: mike H.
Location: pontiac, mi.
Date: 1/15/2003
Time: 1:49:10 AM

Comments

hi, mike an alcoholic here. Clean 56 days. Acceptance.....i did not accept i was powerless for 5-1/2 years....thought i could use will power, researched controlled drinking....did not work. Much misery, pain and despair during that time...including a knife at my throat by thieves. Still i did not accept i was powerless. Have now come to accept that i am powerless. was reminded of the steps involved with grieving: shock, anger, denial, bargaining...acceptance.i am thankful for aa, BB, meetings and this site.Working the steps to stay sober another day.Thankyou all...


Member: Jack B
Location: Palo Alto, Pa
Date: 1/15/2003
Time: 2:26:09 AM

Comments

Hi, I am Jack, a real alcoholic. Acceptance was put to me quite early& simply in A A.No one ever told me my life was going to be a rose garden just because I stopped drinking. What they told me was if I made the 12 steps of A A my way of life, I would be able to ACCEPT, and deal with whatever came into my life one day at a time without picking up a drink. That is pretty much what has happened, and I just recently celebrated 15 years of continous sobriety. I always have equated the 12 steps of Alcoholic 's Anonymous to our Serenity Prayer. God grant me the serenity to accept what I cannot change. the first three steps. the courage to change the things I can steps 4 thru 9, and the wisdom to know the difference steps 10 thru 12. Most importantly the one thing I know about myself, and accept about my self is that I am an alcoholic, who cannot pick up that first drink today. Thanks for allowing me to share and God Bless.


Member: Marvin B.
Location: KY
Date: 1/15/2003
Time: 2:44:06 AM

Comments

Hi! Marvin, alcoholic. I, like Susan in Connecticut, like that BB part "My Serenity is directly proportional to my level of acceptance". I also like what's written about a paragraph above it: "...my serenity is inversely proportional to my expectations." Also, the "Reflection" for Jan. 12 is good: "Our very first problem is to accept our present circumstances as they are, ourselves as we are, and the people about us as they are." But it goes on to say we should "strenuously avoid turning these realistic surveys of the facts of life into unrealistic alibis for apathy or defeatism...." (Then I'm setting myself up for self-pity, the I'm-a-victim-of-circumstances syndrome, or a do-nothing attitude.) And on the days/occasions when genuine acceptance alludes me, I just have to temporarily make-do with "tolerance". Have a real good day, all.


Member: Fred M
Location: MD
Date: 1/15/2003
Time: 9:27:12 AM

Comments

Fred M here, a grateful alcoholic. For Andrew from CT: When I drank, I thought I knew everything, had special needs, was different than everyone else, and God didn't have time for me and vice-versa. I could think of a million ways you and I were different. In sobriety, I've come to realize I don't know much, am about the same as everyone else, have the same needs as others, and need God in my life to show me the way. Was I mentally ill? Yes, I think I met that definition. Booze contorted my reality so much that I now understand the person I used to be was crazy. Maybe this way of thinking is what your sponsor is recommending. Makes sense to me. Just a thought. Thanks for letting me share. Fred


Member: Fred M
Location: MD
Date: 1/15/2003
Time: 9:28:05 AM

Comments

Fred M here, a grateful alcoholic. For Andrew from CT: When I drank, I thought I knew everything, had special needs, was different than everyone else, and God didn't have time for me and vice-versa. I could think of a million ways you and I were different. In sobriety, I've come to realize I don't know much, am about the same as everyone else, have the same needs as others, and need God in my life to show me the way. Was I mentally ill? Yes, I think I met that definition. Booze contorted my reality so much that I now understand the person I used to be was crazy. Maybe this way of thinking is what your sponsor is recommending. Makes sense to me. Just a thought. Thanks for letting me share. Fred


Member: CL
Location: TX
Date: 1/15/2003
Time: 8:03:56 PM

Comments

Hi roomies one gratefull recovering Alcoholic here that gets down on her knees and thanks her HP that there are places like this when I can't get out to a face to face meeting. Acceptence was a very hard thing for me to do at first. I had to really dig deep inside of me which was a closed book for many early years. I fought tooth and nail the first 2 years and then had to look inside and accept that I had all these charecter defects and it was awfully hard to do that. Then the next couple of years I tried to figure out ways to take back the control I lost over myself and work on those defects and today I am a much stronger person for all that soul searching and my HP stood beside me and never left. I had never had any religous up bringing and always believed but never knew the power that is behind that HP until about 5 years into my sobriety I asked him to show me an experience of his love for me. That was the day I learned to like myself. I remember it as if it were yesterday. Funny how you fight against things and try not to accept them in your life and then all of a sudden when your not looking out of nowhere something or someone shows you that its okay to accept it and also shows you how to accept it without it hurting. Today I am going through a divorce for the 3 time and even though we still love one another I had to accept its over between us because we just can't live together any longer. I have been seperated for a year now and still no final divorce and that is one of the things today I am struggling with the most. I want it over today and I don't have the funds available to get that done and that too is hard to accept because of all the finacial burdens now that I have put upon myself it just makes life tough for the moment. Note that last word. MOMENT. Life to me is built on lots of tiny moments and when we learn to accept those moments in time they all build a foundation and once that foundation is built of rock then you have a sturdy foundation to help you accept anything that comes your way. So for the new ones coming in here Don't give up take one moment out of your day and stop and think about all that you have accomplished just in that one day. Really pick it apart and if you see some things that you shouldn't have chosen to do then accept that and go on and correct it. Don't let yourself be down and beat up. Look into the mirror and tell yourself you have a choice today to accept you as you are or accept that fact that you have that inner strength to change who you are into being a better person if that is your desire. Don't take that first drink that will make you bypass that mirror and for God Sakes call someone if you get that urge to drink. For all us older ones with years of sobriety under our belts reach out and grap that newbie and hold them under our wings until they learn to accept that there is someone truely out there that cares. I recently moved here to Texas and its funny how different people in AA are down here they are not as sincer about their programs as up north. Maybe its just me and the meetings I have attended but it sure isn't like it used to be years ago when someone new walked into those doors or rooms and you can see them suffering and you hold out your arm and shake that hand to let them know they are home....at last home where they can cry their hearts out and pour out all those negative feelings and leave full of positive ones and carry out that door with hope in their hearts once again. ACCEPTENCE is the key to this program along with HONESTY try living one without the other....it doesn't work well I can atest to that. God Bless and thank you for letting me share with you.


Member: joe s.
Location: Michigan Rez dog
Date: 1/15/2003
Time: 10:14:20 PM

Comments

my name is joe and i'm an alcoholic. today i can accept a program of repetition. i can be a "menace to sobriety" and become self-important in a new york second. my Elder shared this teaching, "i seek strength ... not to be greater than my brother or sister, but to fight my greatest enemy ... myself." when i turn the mirror back on my behavior instead of the civilians, i move closer to a design for living that works. acceptance is a process and i need to put legs on those prayers. miigwetch for chairing, charlie. stay sober and stay cyber!


Member: Shauna W
Location: west australia
Date: 1/16/2003
Time: 4:55:31 AM

Comments

Hi, I'm Shauna and I'm an alcoholic. Acceptance to me is being humble, to see the truth in a given situation and admitting what that situation is about, praying to God to take over, to give me the power and the tools to cope and the ability to learn whatever it is He is trying to teach me. By this stage in the process I am feeling gratefull for God to have put whatever it was in front of me, even if it is something I don't want to know about or have anything to do with.He has taught me so much I am still amazed at where I have come from to where I am now. All I have to do is be WILLING to accept and He will do the rest. Thanks for allowing me to share. Shauna


Member: Tracy V
Location: England
Date: 1/16/2003
Time: 7:52:25 AM

Comments

Hi my name is Tracy and i am an alcoholic i went to my first AA meeting last night and accepted that i am an alcoholic.


Member: joe don A
Location: nova scotia canada joe_don55@hotmail.com
Date: 1/16/2003
Time: 9:02:22 AM

Comments

joe here im alcoholic last nite i chaired my home group meeting it was my first time in my taking part in a meeting. an i loved it everyone said i did good. getting involved with a group, you'll soon feel a sence of accceptance an contribution to your fellow alcoholic i found i left my meeting walking on air so get invlolved it works another 24 thank you joe don


Member: Charlie Darling
Location: Ft Myers via Key West FL
Date: 1/16/2003
Time: 9:44:52 AM

Comments

Hi Family Charlie Darling a very grateful recovering alcholic, When I started this topic I knew I accepted I was an alcholic, and now I have learned that I have accepted other things in my life, and it feels great to be alive today. Tracy V, and Joe Don keep coming back it really really works and you will find the gratitude in your life, and it does get better, especially when you admit you accept that you are an alcholic. I never thought I could live without that darn drink, but today I find I can do anything without it, and get it done to the best of my ability, and accept the fact that it is OK, and I love myself like I have never before. Love you all, and thank you all for being here always not only for me, but to help the others who are still suffering. kwduke_1999@yahoo.com


Member: Landscape Ray
Location: Scotland
Date: 1/16/2003
Time: 10:43:08 AM

Comments

Hi everybody, nice to see you Tracy V, WELL DONE it works so keep going and you are no longer alone ((((()))))) and Joe Don well done i bet you were walking on air when you came out of your meeting keep it up buddy (((()))) regards Ray


Member: Dave M
Location:
Date: 1/16/2003
Time: 11:22:48 AM

Comments

Hello, I need your help in locating a local meeting in Lake Forest, Ca. How do I do that? I called 411 (information), I searched the web. I looked in the phone book. Can someone help me out? Thanks, Dave


Member: AZbill
Location: From AZbill
Date: 1/16/2003
Time: 12:46:08 PM

Comments

Dave email me az-bill@mindspring.com I have about 5 contacts from Lake Forest. Or just look up Alcholics Anonymous in the white or yellow pages of you local phone book Bill


Member: Mary B
Location: Coulee Dam, Washington
Date: 1/16/2003
Time: 2:00:42 PM

Comments

All my relations - First-timer on the site. Loved all the readings! Recent from a Veteran's Treatment Program and clean & sober for 90 days. Acceptance is ALL. Realizing I had to accept my denial. Accept I am an alcholic/addict. Without acceptance, I can not go forward. I really need A.A. in my life, accepting to change my old behaviors, lifestyles, and "friends". Emotionally it is tough, two family deaths in two days. I accepted last night I am not in a safe place, and could accept to change the situation - so I left and I feel good about it. I need help, so I jumped on the Internet and found your site. Thanks so much - it is a blessing to know I can ask for help. Just accept it!


Member: Kim D.
Location: Bridgewater
Date: 1/16/2003
Time: 3:24:36 PM

Comments

Kim here - alcoholic. For me, acceptance means I am being truthful about a situation. I am seeing something in it's real light - whether it is my alcoholism, a condition of a relationship, my and other's shortcomings, etc. Being truthful about my alcoholism - accepting my disease - allowed me to move from the problem into the solution: the program of AA. Now, accepting other things in my life doesn't mean liking or condoning. Like *Erma* said, it's facing the facts head on and deciding what to do - or not to do - next. Acceptance, for me, equates to truthfullness - whether I like what is going on or not. At least I am freed from the bondage of denial when I step into acceptance - in all areas of my life.


Member: Richard B
Location: Independence ks
Date: 1/16/2003
Time: 3:53:51 PM

Comments

Hello my name is Richard I'm a alcoholic!!! to dave m When i'm looking for a meetin and can"t find it I'd go to the local police dept. i'm from a small town in southeast kansas and that work for me they gave me a escort to the meeting hall " Richard from Kansas a freind of Bill W


Member: Scott K
Location: Rochester, NY
Date: 1/16/2003
Time: 4:33:09 PM

Comments

Hi Everyone, My name is Scott and I am an alcoholic. Thank you *Shauna W* and *Kim D*....Humble has got it as far as I am concerned and being truthful is the other part, both of these lead me to acceptance. These two essential things were impossible for me when I was drinking. Only in sobriety can I be honest with myself and accept who and what I am. Being humble allows me to listen and accept what the experience of others teaches me. I am so grateful to be sober. Thank you all.


Member: Dan S
Location: Vancouver
Date: 1/16/2003
Time: 5:19:56 PM

Comments

Hi I'm Dan an alcoholic....acceptance was very difficult only when forced by a Judge did I get honestly evaluated and then realized that Yes, I had no power over my use of alcohol.


Member: Diane
Location: Alabama
Date: 1/16/2003
Time: 9:25:49 PM

Comments

Hi, ya'll, especially the newcomers. Diane, alcoholic here. Mary B., congrats on 90 days! That was hard for me. One thing I heard in one of my first meetings was that no matter what happens, I don't have to drink right now. I can go to a meeting, pick up a phone, read some of the literature. (Living Sober meant an awful lot to me in early sobriety.) The main thing was/is to know that I'm not alone. Other people have experienced the same things (many much worse), thought the same, felt the same and yet have the blessing of sobriety. Listen to them and find out what they do, how they apply the steps in their lives every day. Today I am happy and I have hope, unimaginable 4 years ago. Laughter and Blessings to all.


Member: Gary H
Location: TN
Date: 1/17/2003
Time: 8:25:12 AM

Comments

I could admit i was a alcoholic for a long time while I was making several attempts to get sober. I never saw the powerlessness connection. And definetly not the life being unmanageable part. Just being a alcoholic and still trying to find a way around it nearly killed me, and I glad it did. I will never say I can't or won't ever drink again, being a good drunk I would consider that a challenge. I will say however that if I drink one drink I will be totaly powerless over the outcome and that I hope I never forget. Sober today.


Member: lynda b
Location: devon ENGLAND
Date: 1/17/2003
Time: 12:06:51 PM

Comments


Member: Carly Z
Location: Md.
Date: 1/17/2003
Time: 12:43:59 PM

Comments

I'm an alcholic, my name is Carly. Acceptance that I am an alcoholic was not too tough. For 35 years, good times, bad times..I drank. Whether I wanted to or not. Family, friends.. they didn't mean anything to me. I just drank. How very sad. Sober now for 5 years, family and friends now mean something to me and I mean something to them. I deserve to be happy,sober and loved. That's my acceptance. So simple and for 35 years, so difficult. I've been drunk and I've been sober. I like sober better.


Member: Carly Z
Location: Md.
Date: 1/17/2003
Time: 12:44:29 PM

Comments

I'm an alcholic, my name is Carly. Acceptance that I am an alcoholic was not too tough. For 35 years, good times, bad times..I drank. Whether I wanted to or not. Family, friends.. they didn't mean anything to me. I just drank. How very sad. Sober now for 5 years, family and friends now mean something to me and I mean something to them. I deserve to be happy,sober and loved. That's my acceptance. So simple and for 35 years, so difficult. I've been drunk and I've been sober. I like sober better.


Member: lynda b
Location: devon ENGLAND
Date: 1/17/2003
Time: 12:48:24 PM

Comments

HELLO ..I AM A FIRST TIME USER OF THIS PAGE, ALSO NEW TO COMPUTERS.SO HAPPY TO AV FOUND YOU THANK YOU FOR YOUR SHARES..IM A V GRATEFUL ALKI/ADDICT..CAME TO AA 19 YEARS AGO FIRST TIME..STRUGGLED SO HARD WITH ACCEPTANCE..ON+OFF BOOZE FOR 7 YEARS WENT TO LOTS OF MEETINGS GOTTA SPONSOR HE TOOK ME THROUGH THE STEPS I BLOSSOMED..KEPT BOOZE DOWN FOR 3+HALF YEARS..GOTTA MENTION THOUGH I DID LOOK FOR A SOFTER EASIER WAY SO I THOUGHT I MET A FEW MEMBERS WHO SMOKED THE OLD WACKY CONVINCED WE WAS COOL..OLD TIMERS TRIED TO WARN US WE WAS SMOKING OUR BOOZE..BOY DID I AV A LOT TO LEARN..MY SISTER WAS MURDERED SHE WAS ONLY 35 WITH 5 YOUNG CHILDREN..I WAS DEVISTATED I FOUGHT FOR CUSTARDY HER HUSBAND WHO HAD ABUSED AND BATTERED HER FOR MANY YEARS WAS ALLOWED FULL CUSTARDY,HE BARRED ME FROM SEING CHILDREN FOR A FEW YEARS..I PICKED UP BOOZE+WACKY BIG TIME WENT ON A ROLL FOR 10 YEARS,REACHED MANY ROCK BOTTOMS FINELY THREW IN THE TOWEL 16 MONTHS AGO WITH BOOZE,GOT MYSELF BACK ON TRACK WITH PROGRAM ALSO AV AN NA BIRTHDAY 23RD JAN..MY LIFE HAS TURNED AROUND ..IM LEARNING LOVING GROWING HOPEFUL PRODUCTIVE ETC ETC ACCEPTANCE IS THE ANSWER..I HAVE TO LET GO LET GOD..INSTEAD OF HATEING..I BLESS THEM SOMETIMES I MAY CALL THEM NOT SO NICE NAMES..BUT I BLESS THEM..IT WORKS FOR ME..ALSO I THANK YOU GUYS FOR HELPING TO KEEP ME SOBER/CLEAN..IM SO GRATEFUL


Member: Kelly M
Location: NH
Date: 1/17/2003
Time: 1:22:53 PM

Comments

Hi All, Kelly an alcoholic. I accepted I had a drinking problem years ago. I thought alcohol was my answer to everything for a long time and anything that got in its way was history. Eventually my entire being was consumed by it and I was a lonely drunk woman. A shell of what I once was. It was a cancer to my mind, body and soul. Then my health went too and I was so sick. All I did was shake and bake most of the time. I finally accepted defeat and surrendered totally to alcohol. I like to picture myself bruised and bleeding on a Revolutionary War battlefield waving the white flag. Silly as it may sound that is what total surrender felt like. Sometimes losing the war is winning the war by admitting defeat....Bravely.......Kelly


Member: TrACY V
Location: eNGLAND
Date: 1/17/2003
Time: 2:59:02 PM

Comments

Hi Tracy 40yr old alcoholic Cheers (((landscape ray))).Acceptence after 2 days clean and sober i accept that this is going to be the hardest figth i have ever had to face.will battle on Tracy


Member: Stuart M
Location: Devon England
Date: 1/17/2003
Time: 5:52:13 PM

Comments

Hi Tracy I came to AA to "fight a battle " with booze. Honestly though it's easier to surrender to stop fighting and just surrender 2 days sober is amazing well done


Member: Jackie L.
Location:
Date: 1/17/2003
Time: 7:59:05 PM

Comments

TRACY AND LYNDA....WELCOME and thank you very much for sharing. Please keep posting. You are helping me more than you can yet imagine. I am an alcoholic and I loved alcohol to death and that is right where I think it was leading me. I was AFRAID and terribly, terribly tired of my terrible life . I don't ever want to have to feel that way again. Thank you again , from the bottom of my heart.


Member: Patricia D.
Location: Florida
Date: 1/17/2003
Time: 8:13:53 PM

Comments

Hi everyone, my name is Patricia. I am an alcoholic who needs help. I came to AA to help me fight my battle. I am hoping I will meet new people, learn new things, and most importantly, recover from alcoholism. I have kids to raise and alcoholism is not helping raise my kids. I know that if i don't stop drinking, I will make an influence on my kids and i know it won't be the right one. Alcoholism is a disease that many Americans fight. I, for one, would like to figth my battle with the help of my friends, family, and surrounding neighbors. I thank everyone for the help they have, and will give me. I also want to thank God for the support and for keeping me on this earth for this long, and for accepting and forgiving all of my sins. You can't fight your battle without support. I want to say to every Alcoholic that i hope you can fight your battle and WIN!


Member: Ed Z.
Location: Ohio
Date: 1/17/2003
Time: 9:01:57 PM

Comments

Hello Ed Z.alcoholic. Mary B from Coulee Dam took the binding off of my hands, instead of only reading. Congratulations from a vet one step from bumhood. Please remember the entire VA system is only a messenger. The VA treatment and sobriety don't work without the principles of AA, and no one else's does either. It is just the VA can be an enabler for unacceptable behavior, more so than most treatment institutions. God loves you because he gave you a substance abuse treatment center from a powerful messenger or enabler We have same strength and hope in fighting for choice to reach acceptance, as picking up a drink or letting HP rule our alcoholism. God speed in acceptance.


Member: Denise S
Location: Saskatchewan
Date: 1/18/2003
Time: 1:44:27 AM

Comments

thanks to everyone for sharing - after having been sober for 14 years my life is again unmanageable in that i must accept that Idonot have control over situations in my life - I am dealing with some major family health issues and having a difficult time accepting the situations and being there for those people that I love - i know acceptance is the key and soberity is the answer to all o f my problems - my faith in God and the peoplein this program have carried me through the bad days and moments for so many years and yet I still ahve problems reaching out and letting people in - you see i still hav trouble accepting that I need people in my life to be there for me through thick and thin still want to be the island when i have a tough situation to face figure i must work on the acceptance alone not a good plan - but i think i got it - people are the key to my sobriety and my faith and this program has given me all of those thngs thanks


Member: jim c
Location: east coast of nc
Date: 1/18/2003
Time: 10:42:07 AM

Comments

its one week in aa and i must say that this i say potings are invaluable to me. cant wait for my noon meeting today. ty everyone


Member: Landscape Ray
Location: Scotland
Date: 1/18/2003
Time: 11:10:59 AM

Comments

Welcome ((((Jim C)))) one week buddy well done keep goings to meetings and you take care now hope to see you back here regards Ray


Member: DavidH
Location: Nashville
Date: 1/18/2003
Time: 1:35:05 PM

Comments

Acceptance and serenity go hand and hand for me and even after four years of sobriety I still struggle with it. However, I can say Ive made some progress in this department. I usually have to stop and look back over the past few years and see how God worked when I got out of the way and just peddled the bike. Great to be sober another day.


Member: Carrie
Location: Wisconsin
Date: 1/18/2003
Time: 2:26:08 PM

Comments

Hi, Carrie here alcoholic/addict-I kind of look at acceptance in the opposite way-Accept the things you cannot change AND CHANGE THE THINGS YOU CAN-I found there was a lot more I could change than things I couldn't!!!! Life is what you make of it and you can regain some control, once you start living! I wasn't living before, therefore, how could I change ANYTHING, I had no control, now, with a clear mind, and a higher power I CAN ACCEPT IT ALL!!!!!


Member: Chris H.
Location: Fla.
Date: 1/18/2003
Time: 4:45:39 PM

Comments

I'm Chris_I''m an Alcoholic/Addict//Hello all....Acceptance is the perfect thing for me to hear about today...I have been struggling with it for the past two weeks...Finally , I have accepted where I am, and am trying to be greatful for it...I was complaining about where I was rather than being greatul to my HP for all the MANY blessings in my life..Gratitude is a much better place to be than complaining. As someone else said, it allows you to do "the next right thing" or What is in front of you...When I am busy complaining I just spin my wheels and live in the mud...But when I am in gratitude ,I can move on and do the next right thing in gratitude for being alive and that I have the opportunity to do what ever there is before me...OFten that is something of service...even if it is just cooking a meal or keeping my house running smoothly for my family. This program has so many things for me if I will just apply them to my life...Thanks for letting me share...


Member: M.B.
Location: I.L.
Date: 1/18/2003
Time: 6:11:59 PM

Comments

Hi,My name is Magrit and am a alcoholic. I am only 9 weeks sober but I am finally 9 weeks into living since the day took my first drink at age 12. I am 39. Acceptence will take time. I cannot push myself into feelings I just don't have right now. I can accept where I am in my head today and thats about it. It's exactly where I need to be. I go to a meeting every day, call my sponsor every day and do what she tells me to do (doing things my way got me into a phyce ward) I pray and I read. If I continue to do those things, my HP will bring me the acceptence I will need to stay in this wonderful place I am in now......SOBRIETY Thanks for this great place to share Magrit


Member: Charlie S
Location: PHX,AZ
Date: 1/18/2003
Time: 8:54:59 PM

Comments

Hi group!My name is Charlie and I am an alcoholic. I love acceptance as a topic.I am a "kicking and screaming"type of acceptance AA member.I will hit the wall several times with some things before I accept them.I may just "come to"and realize I am powerless over some person,place,thing or situation then I will --Let it Go--.I do this after I finally ask my HP for help and walah HP gives me the answer.Mind you I am now much better now than 20 years ago,when I got sober.Yes I still struggle even after 20 years of continous sobriety.I am still real active and I am still doing the best I can.I do have a good program but acceptance of some things makes me crazy.Please pray for me that I will let my current obsession go.Thanks for being here on the net for me. email cs767capt@hotmail.com


Member: Ed H
Location: Gambier, OH
Date: 1/18/2003
Time: 11:03:12 PM

Comments

Hey friends, I am in the middle of nowhere, back in school after taking a term off for recovery. I am 8 months sober, and back in the heat of college. I am doing my best to stay sober, and it's so hard on these saturday nights when everyones out drinking. I remember the last time I got drunk out here, and for now thats keeping it real, but I definetly dont have serenity. I'm really grateful to be sober and I thank my HP.


Member: JOCELYNE H
Location: NORTHBAY,ONT,CAN
Date: 1/18/2003
Time: 11:13:51 PM

Comments

HELLO EVERYONE! my name is Jocelyne ,I am an alcoholic and guess what? I went through the ringer just like all of us but something beautiful happenned in my life 12 years ago,I met something that is more powerfull than alcohol or drugs and builds you up instead of killing you AND IT IS CALLED ALCOHOLIC ANONYMOUS,SAVED MY LIFE AND GAVE ME A MUCH BETTER ONE....I SLEEP LIKE A BEAR EVERY NIGHT WITH CLEAN CONCIENCE AND I AM LUCKY ENOUGH TO HELP OTHERS TODAY WHEN AT A POINT IN MY LIFE I COULDN'T EVEN HELP MYSELF. Alcohol and drugs are thieves,they will rip you off of everything good in your life.Thanks for A.A. and the people in it. There I found the teachers of the does and the teachers of the dont's;I have learned over time to listen to both and it helps me stay sober (AND YOU TOO,JUST GREAT AND COOL THIS PROGRAM....THANK YOU ALL FOR MY SOBRIETY,I KNOW VERY WELL THAT WITHOUT YOUR SOBRIETY,I WOULDN'T HAVE MINE. GOD BLESS YOU ALL!


Member: Db
Location: Indep
Date: 1/19/2003
Time: 5:57:18 AM

Comments

Accept people places and things, exactly the way they are at this moment, and that keeps the retalations out of my thought process.