DIS-EASE

This morning we talked about the dis-ease . what a horrible place to be. I’ve been here a while now and I still have to guard against the disease. Whenever I get to feeling funky it invariably goes back to my spiritual condition.When I force GOD out and start letting Mark run the show then the wheels usually run off.

A NEW BEGINNING WITH HOPE

It’s been awhile since we’ve posted. The holidays took a toll – we lost two members to their demons. Which brings up the subject of hope. We all struggle with those who just can’t seem to get it. But for the grace of God I know that I am one arms length away from the first drink. I’m convinced that there is no problem I can have that taking a drink will solve – it will only make them worse. And I know,today, that as long as you can fog a mirror there is still hope.

“THY WILL BE DONE”

Page 88 in the Big Book reminds us that we are no longer running the show . That we go to God many times each day and ask  for His will to be done . It states that we are then in less danger of excitement, fear, anger, worry, self-pity ,or foolish decisions. In layman’s terms we reach a place where we are not wasting energy over past or present situations. What a way to live -in freedom !

Daily Reprieve

Page 85 in the Big Book tells me that I have a daily reprieve based on the maintenance of my spiritualcondition. Maintenance is like changing the oil in your car, its preventive maintenance ,it keeps the engine from locking up . It keeps the inside lubricated and running smoothly. I need my daily maintenance, weather its a meeting ,prayer,or meditation I need to keep oiling the parts. When I don’t follow my maintenance schedule I get restless irritable and discontent. I start to let self get back in charge and that only makes me feel worse. Today I know that I can start my day over anytime I want to by getting in touch with a power greater than myself. What a blessing!

GOING BACK OUT

Relapse doesn’t have to happen but it does. When someone we care about goes back out we all feel the pain. We ask ourselves, why? We tend to blame ourselves, with thought of, did I do all I could to help when in reality someone else sobriety is not our responsibility unless they ask for help. I can’t explain why some people can’t get it. An old timer told me once that when some one goes back out it helps him refocus on his program. This may be true but it still doesn’t make us feel any better.

It All Goes Back In The Box

All the toys, power,  money,property, prestige in the world won’t mean any thing  when I draw my last breath. The only thing that matters is did I love my fellow man, and put nothing before my God. An old sermon I have heard says it’s like a game of monopoly, all the toys go back in the box.

THE FIRST DRINK

One is to many – a thousand is not enough. And that’s the situation we find our selves in today. It’s the first drink that sets  the top spinning. An ole timer tells me that a drink will make him breakout. Not with a rash but in places where he can’t figure out how he got there. Another says hes one arms length away from that first drink. Our book tells us that we are without defense from the first drink and that we take that first drink without considering the consequences. How then, do we keep from taking that first drink. By seeking Gods help on a daily basis .

FAKE IT TILL YOU MAKE IT

This morning one our members chaired a meeting on acting as if we had it – when we first get here. Sometimes that’s all we can do when we first get here. For most us our thinking and reasoning is so bad that we shouldn’t make decision for ourselves. Sometimes all we can do is just act as if we know whats going on. Some one said that acting this way is hypocrisy but is it? I think not, our book tells us that what at first seemed to be a flimsy reed has turned out to be the loving hand of God. And what a wonder – the beginning of faith.

THE GOOD LIFE

Yesterday my home group had a picnic attended by over 115 smiling, happy, sober and clean people. I heard not one harsh word spoken. Children running to and fro ,fun had by all. Hamburgers, hot dogs, and all the trimmings.I could only stare in amazement,imagine, if we all had been drinking. There would have been fights,puke,and the law. What a better way to live. HAPPY, JOYOUS AND FREE.

ANGER

Anger is one of our most destructive character defects. When I allow my anger to control me I can find no peace. It robs me of my serenity and causes me to think negatively. No wonder our book says that its the dubious luxury of the non-alcoholic. If allowed to fester it becomes resentment and is harder to get rid of. Why then do we become angry? I find today, when I become angry it’s usually because I didn’t get my way. Most of the time my anger stems from things I have no control over. The Master talked of turning the other cheek , and what a relief to be able to say ,what does it matter anyway.