Any friends of Bill W?

[2hawk]

Dec. 6, 1985. Saved a lot of money since then... 'course, now I spend it on guns and reloading supplies. Some addictions are better than others

There's a lot of long term (25yrs+) sobriety in my home group. As a whole, we feel blessed that we have a spiritual and social support net that many people in today's world lack. Living day-to-day with the tools to turn problems into spiritual growth is something that is not found outside of AA very much, in my experience.

 

[bob1956]

It is centered in the mind but the solution is a spiritual one. I have to remain humble and go to meetings regularly. Put my hand out to the new commer and ask for help myself. Cause when I try to do it on my own I'm doomed ton fail. The last six years of my life have been the best of all my years in my life " CLEAN and SOBER". I'm slowly learing how to live with my fellows a day at a time. I have to pray many time a day. Take my will and my life and show me how to live clean. Thanks for letting share.

 

[roarindan]

been a real close "Friend of Bill's",for 24 yrs.,, last Nov.

 

[cddanjr]

my take

When I started to tell people I worked with that I no longer drank, they looked at me kinda puzzled and would sometimes say, "aw c'mon you can have a few beers?" I would then get to look at THEM with a puzzled look and say, "why drink a few beers if your not gonna get drunk?" I use to drink to escape, and sometimes I would break out in, umm, handcuffs or other cities.

It was the beginning of gettin more comfortable in my own skin.

Now, with over 10,000 days, I feel I am just stacking days, one day at a time, honestly rarely get to meetings, unless my *** falls off, then I know what to do.

Keep it simple, dont drink no matter what, and talk to others who share with you your commonality.

Chuck

 

[shouldazagged]

Went to my home group meeting this morning and felt my batteries start to recharge when I walked in the door, as usual. There are, I think, over 400 meetings a week in Louisville now. I just knew when I walked into mine the first time, after moving clear across the city from where I had sobered up, that it was the best one for me. The second time I went I joined it. Random choice...yeah, right! Like all those other "coincidences" in my sobriety.

 

[cddanjr]

you know what I miss?

It use to be real easy to feel at home at an AA meeting, but now that they dont smoke in meetings anymore, I dont see the nicotine beige walls I got sober with! I smoked the first 22 years of sobriety, then slowly got away from the tabaccy!

Chuck

 

[Amir Fleschwund]

Thank God I never had any such issue, nor does anyone I know now.

I believe you should know in your own case, but you may be surprised about some of the people around you.

 

[Biginge]

I saw me today. Yep, I did. I didn't look to good either. I saw me across the ditch where I walk Poppy (my dog) several times a day. I had on a hoodie, blue jeans, an old green jacket, blue jeans and flip flop sandals. My feet were cold (its 38 degrees). I was sucking on a cigarette and shufflin along pretty slow. Seems like I used to be faster when I was around 40? I took another sip and looked at the man across the way walking his dog and wondered about what his life must be like, I mean to be normal and probably have a home to go back to when his dog is done? I took another sip of "courage" and continued towards the "normal" guy. I either had to confront him or turn around. I continued on toward him and threw my empty can into the corner of the woods before I had to see him. Maybe he didn't see me throw it? Oh yes he did. He spoke a cheerful "Good Morning Sir, How are you?" "Cold" I answered. That guy looked a lot like me just older, a lot older, or younger depending on which me I am. I watched him shuffle off towards whence he came. Yep, that was me alright. Several years back.

Boys, I have been "to Hell and back" as many of you have. This actually happened this very morning just a tad after dawn. Coincidences are Gods way of anominity.

I feel like I should have done more for the fella, I hope to have another chance

He sure helped me today and beyond.

 

[Mustang Mike]

I meet Bill W. 1/15/1991 and have been saying the serenity prayer daily.
God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I can not change, Courage
to change the things I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference.......

 

[Jim in Wisconsin]

Bastille day (July 14, 1982) a counselor told me "it gets better".
It got better.

 

[Mickey D]

Never became obsessed. My best to those that maintain the courage to abstain.

 

[66TAS]

May,1 1991
I dont abstain. I dont drink 1 day at a time. For me to drink is to die....if I am lucky. If that sentence makes sense I need say no more, if it doesnt make sense, thank your lucky stars you dont know what I know.

 

[pharmer]

I meet Bill W. 1/15/1991 and have been saying the serenity prayer daily.
God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I can not change, Courage
to change the things I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference.......

Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy
with Him forever in the next.
Amen

 

[Bill56]

November, 1981. Don't remember the day. You took the words right out of my mouth, 66TAS. To drink, or in my case, to use as well, is to die. And it will most likely be an ugly painful death. Being an RN, I have seen the ravages of long-term alcoholism in many patients and thank God for the chances I have been given.

 

[turbo38gn]

Wawhooo!! Thanks guys, first meeting of the day here for me! June 24, 1986... great way to wake up. Alive and remembering what I did last night.

I'll never forget my first night experience in 1986, in a room, a bunch of people, in a circle, arms around each other, singing Amazing Grace........ I knew I was in the right place!!!! need I tell you about the goose bumps all over my body that night and the emotion I felt... well, I can still feel it right now as I type this... Thank you All!! cause I don't want to forget it..

I'll be in a meeting tonite, with a buddy, celebrating his 25th year of sobriety! Thank you God