Member: Peggy E
Location: Salem, Oregon
Remote Name: 67.164.52.213
Date: 04 Jan 2004
Time: 06:51 PM -0500

Comments

Step 3 = a vital step in my recovery. I love the 3rd step prayer = "relieve me of bondage of self!" When I am out of me and into my God's will (which is helping others) I am in a much better place. Because I practice this daily I have accumulated 26 years clean and sober - through the grace of God...


Member: Glenn N
Location: Florida
Remote Name: 141.152.145.139
Date: 04 Jan 2004
Time: 08:04 PM -0500

Comments

Goodevening all turning over all is the best thing going today I do it on a daily basis it sure has worked for me


Member: Darold S.
Location: Alaska
Remote Name: 12.21.208.63
Date: 04 Jan 2004
Time: 09:02 PM -0500

Comments

Well stayed sober all year long an happy to say im happier than ever thanks for the good informations thanks


Member: Gage
Location: swamp
Remote Name: 152.163.252.133
Date: 04 Jan 2004
Time: 11:03 PM -0500

Comments

I'm Gage. I'm an alcoholic. For so long I was just afraid. I believed that disaster was waiting for me at every turn, and I thought everything was up to me and I was completely alone. Step 3 took that burden from me.


Member: Kat
Location: Boston
Remote Name: 24.91.168.81
Date: 04 Jan 2004
Time: 11:51 PM -0500

Comments

Your will not mine be done is a very scary proposal for someone like me who has tried to control every aspect of her life. I want to let go... I do try to let go... I pray to let go... and yet I know there is still a part of me that tries to hold on. I know God's plans are way better than anything I could ever imagine. But I become very impatient with God sometimes and then I jump back in and try to make things happen instead of letting them happen. This wild mind of mine starts to think maybe it will never happen the way I want it to happen or expect it is supposed to happen. So yes, I've made the decision to turn my life over to God... but I keep grabbing it back. But I will admit that every time I try again to let it all go... a miracle shows up that I never, ever could've planned for. So I'm going to keep on trying to give it all to him. I can't... He can... So I'll let him. Amen, Kat


Member: Mike H
Location: Jackson Michigan
Remote Name: 68.76.52.254
Date: 05 Jan 2004
Time: 08:16 AM -0500

Comments

The third step reminds me that I am not in charge. That is difficult for me as I am a control freak. I want things done my way and right now. I have to practice patience instead of jumping in. It takes a lot to slow me down but when I do wonderful things happen. The serenity prayer works wonders with my troubled mind. Wishing you health and happiness. Mike H.


Member: Pol.smallIrishman
Location: england
Remote Name: 81.104.37.208
Date: 05 Jan 2004
Time: 09:48 AM -0500

Comments

Hi all. My name's Pol and I'm a grateful alcoholic today. What a great step. For me this was, and is the turning point. Whenever I wake up I say a prayer of, offering of the day to God. The lips move but sometimes it takes a while for the 'heart' to kick in!.lol I still struggle with allowing God to work in and through me. Thank God it's only ODAAT. Thanks guys,Pol


Member: Adam H.
Location: New York, NY
Remote Name: 64.232.156.194
Date: 05 Jan 2004
Time: 09:58 AM -0500

Comments

Adam, alcoholic. I actually made this decision while saying that prayer on page 63 of the Big Book with my sponsor. I didn't want to say that prayer...he said we had to...and I ended up doing it with a lot of belly-aching and grumbling at first. But something really wonderful happened while we were saying that prayer: I realized that my sponsor must really care about my desire to stay sober if he was willing to pray for and with me at a time when I didn't really know if there was a God that wanted anything to do with me. I also realized that my home group had the same attitude when I walked in asking for help...they really cared about whether or not I wanted to stay sober. Moreover, that was all they seemed to care about...not how old I was, how much or how little I drank, not how much I had lost or how far down I had gone. All they seemed to care about was helping me live one day at a time without a drink if I wanted help. When I realized AA cared about my desire to not drink, I made the decision to turn my will and my life over to the CARE of Alcoholics Anonymous, and over the last 7 years, I have lived hapily within that care. Thanks for letting me share, and Happy New Year!


Member: AZbill
Location: azbill1172@cox.net
Remote Name: 68.226.19.154
Date: 06 Jan 2004
Time: 01:11 AM -0500

Comments

Hi. Bill here. Alcoholic from Arizona. All I am doing in Step Three is making a decision. At my first AA meeting I was told I was sick and I agreed to that. Step One. I was also told that you all were going to get me well and that all I had to do was change the way I thought about alcohol. Step 2. AA would become my higher power for a start. At the end of that meeting a friend that I came to the meeting with came up to me and said he believed these steps would work and that he was going to move in with me the next day and we would start. I said ok. That was a sufficient Step 3. I had made a decision to seek God through the Steps. That is the A,B.C's listed in the program of Alcoholics Anonymous. That was over 22 years ago and we are both sober today. Love ya all. Bill


Member: Darold S.
Location: Alaska
Remote Name: 12.110.74.32
Date: 06 Jan 2004
Time: 12:35 PM -0500

Comments

well today is another day of work and i feel good an ready for the day happy new year


Member: Becky R
Location: Central Oregon
Remote Name: 66.62.141.130
Date: 06 Jan 2004
Time: 05:08 PM -0500

Comments

Becky R, grateful addict & alcoholic. What an appropriate subject for me today. I am celebrating 60 days clean & sober today. I feel great. I have been working the 4th step, but having a tough time because I wasn't sure I had turned my life and will over to God 100%. So last night I was in serious prayer with God, and said I just can't do it anymore. I can't deal with all these thought filling my head. I am sick and I am tired. So for the first time I gave IT ALL TO GOD. Wow, how wonderful it feels. I am so glad I know what it means and have done it. I can go forward with step 4 with no hesitation. Thanks for the great fellowship. God Bless and have a sober day. Becky in Oregon


Member: billy j.
Location: scotland
Remote Name: 195.93.33.11
Date: 06 Jan 2004
Time: 06:24 PM -0500

Comments

Billy J. grateful sober alcoholic, thanks for the topic. when 5 months sober and I returned home to an empty flat after a meeting a thought crossed my mind. "wonder if it is true what the AA guys say about the first drink" THE MENTAL PART OF THIS INSIDIOUS ILLNESS WORKING BEFORE TAKING THE FIRST DRINK. as I poured a glass of whiskey and smelt it I plunged to my knees and said "if there is a God there help me not to take this drink." He did as I put the alcohol plus another 3 full bottles into the kitchen sink. I became willing and made the decision there and then to hand my will and life over to a God of my understanding at that time. I have had over 26 wonderful years of sobriety since and He has never left me. God was sought and found and I discovered He was one of love. meetings are as important to me today as they were years ago. I know I am only one drink away from being a drunk again. thanks Billy


Member: Darold S.
Location: Alaska
Remote Name: 12.21.211.124
Date: 07 Jan 2004
Time: 01:56 PM -0500

Comments

Hello sober people, another sober day for me and not suffering for a shot. thats for the informatiion thanx


Member: Kathleen
Location: Florida
Remote Name: 209.208.77.64
Date: 08 Jan 2004
Time: 03:55 AM -0500

Comments

Hello all, Kathleen here alcoholic. One of my favorite steps.. I like to sit in my hot tub and stare at this beautiful huge live oak with spanish moss hanging all over it and meditate. I ask God to releive me from the bondage of myself and to let me have knowledge of his will for me and the power to carry it out. I also ask God to please let .......... and .......... and ........ (names of loved ones) have knowledge of your will for them and the power to carry it out. (I know it's a different step prayer) but it seems to help me to be able to let go and get out of trying to control what is happening in their lives... Thanks for letting me share.. Kathleen


Member: Lonie Mc.
Location: San Marcos, TX
Remote Name: 147.26.110.181
Date: 08 Jan 2004
Time: 01:04 PM -0500

Comments

Howdy, I'm Lonie, an alcoholic. I grew up with a tyrannical God whose will was designed to keep me miserable so Step 3 was scary for me. Today, I know that I don't have to submit to God's will rather God's will and my soul-level will are the same. If I'm willing to walk through whatever is in front of me, sober and faith-filled, no matter how bad it looks I ALWAYS like the end results. The Step 3 prayer was my mantra for years. It really helped.


Member: Kelly M
Location: NH
Remote Name: 64.12.96.137
Date: 08 Jan 2004
Time: 10:06 PM -0500

Comments

Hi, This is key for me. My will is no good to me whatsoever. My will would get me drunk. I gratefully hand it to God daily. My will is the will of an alcoholic and it will talk me into anything to get a drink. I used to mistake will for strength and my will is my wants and my strength is my power. My wants are that of an alcoholic but my needs are to stay sober and be growing in recovery. My strength comes by turning my will over to God, who always seems to grace me with just what I need every day. Sometimes its not what I want but it is always what I need. GodBless, Kelly :)


Member: sheri
Location: wyoming
Remote Name: 204.227.205.36
Date: 09 Jan 2004
Time: 04:10 PM -0500

Comments

Hello all this is just what i needed I have always felt that I had a tremendous amount of faith however I realized as read that it was me I have no faith in me I have always felt like aI was not good enough for my god and therefore could not ask him to take care of me and my problems but I am worthy because my HP does not make shit I am worthy and I can ask for his will not mine I have always been not good enough well with his help I am more than good enough I am sober I am willing to do what ity takes and if turning it over is what it takes please by all means God you can have it !!! Thank you I needed this Sheri Grateful alcholic


Member: Gary M
Location: Portland, OR
Remote Name: 12.225.167.167
Date: 09 Jan 2004
Time: 07:25 PM -0500

Comments

Gary, alcoholic. After being snowed in for several days, the 3rd step prayer was a lifesaver. Along of course with the sernity prayer. When,I was 5 years sober, a buddy of mine told me that I had to get beyond saying the 3rd step prayer everyday. Well, I didn't, and at the end of this month I'll have 14 years. I continue to begin each day with the third step prayer. By the grace of God, the fellowship of aa and a lot of hard work, my creator has allowed me to stay sober one day at a time.


Member: Guy N
Location: Atlanta
Remote Name: 65.81.144.233
Date: 10 Jan 2004
Time: 01:02 AM -0500

Comments

Hi, I am Guy and an alcoholic with 5 days sobriety. I am grateful for this website. It is saving me right now. MY will wants me to go 3 blocks to get a drink right now. But, I am continuing to ask God for his will. His will is for me to stay online for at least until the bars close. My Will always makes my life worse, at least when it comes to drinking. God's will seems to truly help me. Plus, a life of self will is not much of a life at all. Thanks for letting me share. The solution works!


Member: David K
Location: Baltimore, MD
Remote Name: 162.129.242.145
Date: 10 Jan 2004
Time: 01:13 PM -0500

Comments

David, alcoholic. I had no idea there was anything like this website out there. What a fantastic idea! My clean date is the day that I was kicked out of school because of my drinking getting totally out of hand. Yesterday, I finally made it back here and moved into the dorms again. I was lonely beyond belief and also quite scared for my recovery, so I did the one thing that always seemed to help... I went to a meeting. I know that God was looking out for me last night. When I was picking up my room key at student affairs, the one kid that I drank with more than anyone was signing a paper to take his "medical leave", just like I did 11 months ago. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers, becuase I know when I am in an alcoholics anonymous meeting, I am truly home. Thanks for letting me share


Member: Peggy E
Location: Salem, Oregon
Remote Name: 67.164.52.213
Date: 10 Jan 2004
Time: 05:34 PM -0500

Comments

Hi! I'm Peggy; I'm an alcoholic. God bless you, Guy, with 5 days sober, and David with 11 months sobriety. In time sobriety will become a habit like drinking was. The same car that took me to get a bottle suddenly ended up at meetings instead - when I was well enough to drive. Follow "the winners", and do what they do, and you will be ok. I have turned my will and life over to my creator. Peggy E


Member: Darold S.
Location: Alaska
Remote Name: 216.47.16.19
Date: 11 Jan 2004
Time: 12:12 AM -0500

Comments

Thank god he must have answered my praires,when i was a drunk, I was always asking god to help me quit drinking i was an alcoholic.Out of control,getting in trouble an ended up in jail for dui. so I decided to join an its helped me alot im a member now an i dont drink anymore thanx people nice topic.


Member: Kelly R.
Location: Nebraska
Remote Name: 65.172.143.180
Date: 11 Jan 2004
Time: 01:20 AM -0500

Comments

3rd step? If ever am hesitant to apply that one in my daily affairs, all I need to do is let God show me that I don't what's best for me. It's been said,"God takes care of fools and drunks" and, I used to qualify on both counts; I'm no longer a drunk, but I still need taken care of occaissionally.


Member: Jenny M.
Location: Washington
Remote Name: 63.191.225.194
Date: 11 Jan 2004
Time: 07:37 PM -0500

Comments

Yes I make a decision to turn my will and life over to my higher power on an hourly basis if possible. I don't have any control over others and have to remember that often. Each of us needs to learn our own lessons in our own time. I do know that in early sobriety and always our closest relationship should be with God and the other will follow if we let ourselves be guided. I am grateful for my sobriety every day. I think it is time for me to do a fourth step.


Member: Traveling Sister
Location: A lush Valley
Remote Name: 64.40.63.232
Date: 11 Jan 2004
Time: 11:49 PM -0500

Comments

Hi, I'm on journey to recover all that my God has for me. Is God light? Thats all I can understand at this point. I move towards it. I open myself to My HP. I am listening as the light speaks in so many ways to me. I will look for him in the t.v., the radio, a strangers words written or oral. a Passage, a scripture, a lyric...however the light wishes to communicate I will try trust the enity I gave my self to when I was still a child. So long ago, but only yesterday. I was not forgotten but loved despite all. Why me? why am I worthy of him I am nothing.


Member: Darold S.
Location: Alaska
Remote Name: 216.47.16.22
Date: 12 Jan 2004
Time: 12:42 AM -0500

Comments

Hi Darold here recovering alcoholic, I pray everyday an ask god to watch over me an my girlfriend an her daughter which i love very much. So far everything seems to be working good after staying cyber for a year


Member: sarah w.
Location: buffalo,n.y
Remote Name: 141.149.154.70
Date: 12 Jan 2004
Time: 01:11 AM -0500

Comments

sarah w., grateful recovering alcoholic. To me, when i look back on my past, I see where God's hand touched my life. Because of this program, I believe in a Higher Power today. I came into AA at age 15, and was not ready, but for the Grace of God I did not go back out, butI played with this program for a long time. I have a little over 3 1/2 yrs. sober, and it was not by my doing. Step 3 has shown me that I don't have to do it alone. I always stressed myself out with situations that were not in my control. Today I am far from perfect at this, but I know with the help of you, and God there is nothing in this world i need to drink over or can not handle.All I need to do is give it up. I surrender. In times like this i wonder why i didn't just do that in the first place. I feel a great load off of my chest. I know deep within my soul that God will give me the strength I need to move on. God Bless everyone.