tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49031115636918407892024-03-05T04:04:30.213-05:00Sound Bites for an AlcoholicWords of Wisdom for anyone suffering from the disease of alcoholismDLShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14879387654460772297noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903111563691840789.post-45804103985686653432012-06-29T20:57:00.005-04:002012-06-29T20:57:43.631-04:00Questions and Answers (Part II)<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The next question I asked myself was "What is the purpose
of my life with this disease?" <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>DLShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14879387654460772297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903111563691840789.post-36171507590404045422012-06-03T16:40:00.000-04:002012-06-03T16:40:41.085-04:00Questions and Answers<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sobriety, for me, is a gift from God. I have asked myself
and my higher power the questions and want to share where I am in my journey
concerning each of these. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">First, "Why am I an alcoholic?" When I asked
this question of another alcoholic, he answered, "So you can reach out to
another sick and suffering alcoholic." I know that is part of my 12-step
program, to reach out to others who can be helped by my sharing my experience,
strength, and hope regarding my disease. When I asked my sponsor, she said,
"Why not?" That answer stopped me in my tracks. What did she mean,
"why not?" After I thought about the response, I had to agree with
her. Why not? I could have been born with diabetes, or be suffering from heart
disease, or dealing with any other disease know to the medical community. But
the disease I have to deal with, learn about, and learn to control on a daily
basis, is alcoholism. Why me? Why not?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The next question I ask myself is "What is the
purpose of my life with this disease?" <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">and then... "What am I supposed to do with this
knowledge and information?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I continue to review my life and ask my higher power to
reveal the answers to these questions, so I can share my experience, strength, and hope with others. <o:p></o:p></span></div>DLShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14879387654460772297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903111563691840789.post-49724431943942752632012-05-26T16:23:00.000-04:002012-05-26T17:11:37.323-04:00Struggling and Finding Help<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">"If you are struggling with something, you must make
the decision to do what you don't want to do at the time. No matter what you are going
through, you have to ask for help. The telephone seems to weigh 500 pounds, but
you have to lift it to get the help you need."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In my home group, we begin every meeting with the serenity prayer,
"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the
courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the
difference." I have to remember this prayer and say it over and over again
when I am struggling with life. It is important for me to realize that there
are some things over which I have no control. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I know God, my higher power, has complete control. In Alcoholics
Anonymous, there are others who can provide me with their experience, strength,
and hope, but I have to let someone know that I am actually struggling, so I can get the help I need with the everyday problems of life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I thank my higher power, that I have a sponsor who wants
me to call her. I am also thankful that there are many other sober women in my
life who have provided me with their phone numbers. I am the one who must ask
for help </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">though. Asking for help and lifting that 500 pound phone, even when I don't want to do it, is the only way I will maintain my sobriety. </span></div>DLShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14879387654460772297noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903111563691840789.post-91644383198558264082012-05-22T14:49:00.001-04:002012-05-22T14:49:06.551-04:00Alcoholism is a Fatal Disease"Alcoholism is a progressive, chronic, and fatal disease. I have a daily reprieve, if I do not drink. However, the further away I am from my last drink, the closer I am to my next one."<br />
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My recovery today comes from the knowledge and understanding that this thing called alcoholism is a fatal disease. I must, on a daily basis, maintain my spiritual fitness so that I can remain sober, just for today.<br />
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Just as a diabetic may need to take insulin daily, I must also take my daily medicine to prevent succumbing to the disease of alcoholism. My daily medicine includes attending at least one Alcoholics Anonymous meeting each day. I must remain in contact with other alcoholics, who are willing to share their own experience, strength, and hope with the same situations that I am struggling. I must contact my sponsor daily and pray and meditate. My higher power helps me maintain my sobriety, but only if I ask for help to maintain it. It takes action, on my part, to stay sober.<br />
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I am grateful that my higher power led me to the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous and the fellowship of other recovering alcoholics. Alcoholics Anonymous has been my lifeline and it can be yours also!<br />
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<br />DLShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14879387654460772297noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903111563691840789.post-80809633731258470802012-05-20T10:25:00.000-04:002012-05-20T12:02:37.101-04:00The Journey of Sobriety<br />
The life of sobriety is wrapped up in the statement below... as an alcoholic I can not hold a resentment and remain sober! As a recovering alcoholic I am enjoying my life! I am having fun and living now, instead of being a slave to the bottle. If I immediately apologize to those I have offended, I live a freer life. Finally, to let go of what I can not change, and to hand it over to my higher power, allows me to enjoy my journey of sobriety!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujh8TGm32F39eDCYWwEWOFpQr0SYWLGxM3ZsrtsrzcZAhs5ADIC8oGS5Ky0Cb41aoLAZVNoNWtLI1yZfwmZZ8ESja0fz9vEaWfXLL1uHRt7NJs7LqE_qowWdDCpF49nGE9OZ2VQMPhXg/s1600/403051_145764742206500_102938843155757_184982_1414828490_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujh8TGm32F39eDCYWwEWOFpQr0SYWLGxM3ZsrtsrzcZAhs5ADIC8oGS5Ky0Cb41aoLAZVNoNWtLI1yZfwmZZ8ESja0fz9vEaWfXLL1uHRt7NJs7LqE_qowWdDCpF49nGE9OZ2VQMPhXg/s1600/403051_145764742206500_102938843155757_184982_1414828490_n.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />DLShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14879387654460772297noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903111563691840789.post-19456690311274697772012-05-19T11:06:00.001-04:002012-05-19T11:06:27.064-04:00One Day at a Time<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The "Entire" Serenity Prayer</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot 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 -- Reinhold Neibuhr</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqALfIqKtDzSKpa5QehvVBBLLuLjKSqxctCSloCEuoTok2PRcu_eb_5OdWv1wWkaGQ1i2Qo6FBn7Co4FZQbniIfgn0-0jnEVWfW40HZAwfWkYtdX5Ir5HOx_Qeyo2-NiTqIXMBcRiIM8U/s1600/575193_320027004740035_100001982145068_763869_1148852067_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqALfIqKtDzSKpa5QehvVBBLLuLjKSqxctCSloCEuoTok2PRcu_eb_5OdWv1wWkaGQ1i2Qo6FBn7Co4FZQbniIfgn0-0jnEVWfW40HZAwfWkYtdX5Ir5HOx_Qeyo2-NiTqIXMBcRiIM8U/s1600/575193_320027004740035_100001982145068_763869_1148852067_n.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />DLShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14879387654460772297noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903111563691840789.post-21974029176049396142012-05-14T10:00:00.002-04:002012-05-14T10:00:27.965-04:00The Effects of Consuming Alcohol<br />
<section class=" FLC" data-page-id="" data-section="body" id="Body" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><article itemprop="content" itemscope="" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><header class="header" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-style: inherit; line-height: 115%;">I am working with a therapist who is licensed in alcohol
and substance abuse. Part of my assignment last week was to find out the
physical effects of consuming alcohol. I am providing that list here for anyone
who suffers from, or knows someone who suffers from, alcoholism. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Alcohol:<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1. is a depressant<br />
2. causes dizziness<br />
3. lowers inhibitions<br />
4. impairs judgment<br />
5. causes individuals to engage in
inappropriate behavior<br />
6. is a nervous system depressant<br />
7. affects vision<br />
8. affects hearing<br />
9. affects the ability to sort through
emotions<br />
10. can cause an increase in sociability<br />
11. can cause an increase in aggression<br />
12. causes nausea<br />
13. causes vomiting<br />
14. causes insomnia<br />
15. causes bad breath<br />
16. causes headaches<br />
17. causes thirst<br />
18. causes fatigue<br />
19. causes anxiety<br />
20. causes hallucinations<br />
21. causes nervous tremors<br />
22. causes liver damage<br />
23. causes cirrhosis<br />
24. causes vitamin deficiencies<br />
25. causes brain damage<br />
26. causes stomach disease<br />
27. causes impotence<br />
28. causes breast, mouth, and esophageal cancers<br />
29. can cause fetal alcohol syndrome, if consumed by pregnant mothers<br />
30. causes heart damage<br />
31. causes high blood pressure<br />
32. leads to obesity<br /> AND<br />
33. can cause strokes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</section></section></article></section>DLShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14879387654460772297noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903111563691840789.post-6016637398779967572012-05-13T16:31:00.001-04:002012-05-13T16:31:38.036-04:00The Paradox of Sobriety"I cannot keep my gift of sobriety unless I give it away."<br />
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For this alcoholic, the free gift of sobriety is only available to me through my faith and relationship with my higher power. My higher power, through daily prayer and meditation, allows me to stay sober one day at a time.<br /><br />
However, it is not enough to just be sober! I have to be ready to help another alcoholic learn what it is like to be given the gift of sobriety. I ask myself at every AA meeting I attend, "Can I help another alcoholic by sharing my experience, strength, and hope?"<br /><br />
I am grateful to my higher power, to my sponsor, and to the fellowship of AA for helping me to stay sober and then also providing opportunities for me to give it away.DLShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14879387654460772297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903111563691840789.post-84865110383741874732012-05-09T16:48:00.000-04:002012-05-10T07:44:18.586-04:00Play the Tape all the way Through!!This sound bite, more than any other, tells me that when I start thinking about drinking again, I need to play the tape all the way through..<br />
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I have been involved with drinking, not caring if I was thinking about the consequences. I did not care. I wanted to get "loaded" and that was all that mattered.<br />
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However, what happened with my drinking created the situations with which I was dealing! My life was a mess.<br />
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YOU do not need to deal with these situations! You just need to make sure that you are "playing the tape all the way through." Ask: "What will happen to "ME" if I drink again?" I need to make sure that I am always thinking and playing the tape of what will happen if I do drink again.DLShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14879387654460772297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903111563691840789.post-83941768216625252092012-05-06T19:11:00.000-04:002012-05-06T19:11:10.621-04:00Do you want to find your length of sober time??<br /><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have found an
excellent resource at www.soberrecovery.com/sobertime.html</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The website is an
excellent resource for alcoholism, drug addiction, and many other types of
addiction <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Check it out!! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please continue to
follow me at soundbitesforanalcoholic.blogspot.com <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I look forward to
walking the journey of sobriety with you, one day at a time! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks, Donna S.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>DLShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14879387654460772297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903111563691840789.post-45180035151846139602012-05-03T07:59:00.000-04:002012-05-03T07:59:35.883-04:00Prayer and Meditation Resources<b>I thought I would post the prayer and meditation resources that I use to help maintain my sobriety on a daily basis. </b><br />
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Every morning I thank my higher power for waking me up to enjoy another day sober. I ask my higher power to keep me sober, "Just for Today." I know that my freedom from alcoholism is only a daily reprieve and it is completely dependent upon the maintenance of my spiritual condition. I pray and meditate daily to maintain my sobriety.<br />
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I use several resources to help maintain my spiritual condition. The first resource I use is the "Daily Reflections" reading. It is a book of reflections by AA members for AA members and is organized by calendar date.<br />
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The next resource I use is the "Just for Today" reading. It is dedicated to members of Narcotics Anonymous but is very relevant to my condition of alcoholism. This reading has always spoken directly to my heart. It is also organized by date.<br />
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Another resource I use for daily meditation is "Twenty-Four Hours a Day." This particular resource is organized by calendar date and includes the "AA Thought for the Day," the "Meditation for the Day," and the "Prayer for the Day." This book is published by the Hazelden Foundation and was first written in 1954. The first revision was created in 1975.<br />
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"A Day at a Time" is a book of "Daily Reflections for Recovering People." It was copyrighted by the Hazelden Foundation in 1989. The book is organized by calendar date and includes three sections per day. The first section is entitled "Reflection for the Day." The next section is called "Today I Pray" and the final section is "Today I Will Remember."<br />
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As a female recovering alcoholic, who attends a weekly women's AA group, I enjoy "The Language of Letting Go" most of all. We use this daily reading at each meeting. The book was written by Melody Beattie in 2005. It is produced by the Hazelden Foundation. It is also organized by calendar date.<br />
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<br />DLShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14879387654460772297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903111563691840789.post-7784042579939141852012-04-27T10:35:00.000-04:002012-04-29T12:16:18.000-04:00Facing My Feelings<b>"I never felt anything because I never faced anything. I hid behind the drink."</b><br />
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It took true courage for me to face situations in my life. I chose to use alcohol for years to cope with my life, but the alcohol had run its course and stopped working for me.<br />
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While the alcohol was working, I could numb myself from the reality of my life. There were struggles and strife that seemed to be erased by the liquor but, in reality, were still there waiting for me once I sobered up.<br />
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Actually, my problems got worse as I continued to drink. My body became chemically dependent and I was left to drink to keep from shaking and feeling the continual hangover. I was now using alcohol to fight the pain of my addiction.<br />
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Since I have found the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, I am able to face my daily situations and struggles. I am able to use the 12 Step Program and rely on other recovering alcoholics to guide me through my life without a drink. I have traded "liquid courage" for the real thing, and for that I am grateful to my Higher Power for leading me to the Fellowship of AA.DLShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14879387654460772297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903111563691840789.post-18265775732577126952012-04-22T10:54:00.000-04:002012-04-27T17:19:21.293-04:00Responsibility<br />
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>"If the alcoholics who came ahead of us were not responsible to the
AA program, I would not be here today. We must remain responsible for those who
come to our fellowship in the future."</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is amazing to
me that the AA program has endured and thrived since 1935. The program is
simple. There are suggestions made in the Big Book of Alcoholic Anonymous.
These suggestions help me to maintain my sobriety. It has been said,
"Pray, attend meetings, find and use a sponsor, develop a network of
recovering alcoholics, and most important of all, Don't Drink!"<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This program works for me one day at a time. As long as I maintain
a fit spiritual condition and rely on the God of my understanding, I can stay
sober, one day at a time. I am grateful for the alcoholic who led the way with
this AA program. It and they have saved my life. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>DLShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14879387654460772297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903111563691840789.post-18893497579323393052012-04-16T15:35:00.001-04:002012-04-16T18:45:08.818-04:00Attitude toward Others"It's not what you do to me; it is what I do back to you."<br />
<br />
As a practicing alcoholic, the world revolved around me. I was the queen bee and everyone needed to understand that. If you did something to hurt me, or if I perceived that you were trying to hurt me, I would retaliate to get even. <br />
<br />
At this point in my life, as I work my twelve step program, stay in contact with my sponsor, and attend meetings, I am able to see my own selfishness. I am able to understand how my selfishness brought my world down around me.<br />
<br />
I have learned that it is not "all about me" anymore. I have to have tolerance for others who may not be just like I am. We all have gifts and talents that we bring to the table. I must embrace those differences and celebrate them.DLShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14879387654460772297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903111563691840789.post-39961429750430418312012-03-27T17:32:00.000-04:002012-03-27T23:00:47.837-04:00Paying Rent<span style="font-size: large;">"No one needs to take up space in my head without paying rent." --</span><br />
<br />
As an alcoholic, I am a victim of alcoholic "stinking" thinking. It is important, for this alcoholic, to remind myself that I do not need to be worried about people, places, or things that are not on my path of daily recovery. Often I find myself fretting over situations in which I have no control. I don't have a "dog" in the fight, so to speak. In order for me to keep my serenity and peace, I cannot allow any thought to take up space in my head without the rent being paid!DLShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14879387654460772297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903111563691840789.post-9901001620494478802012-03-27T16:44:00.000-04:002012-06-04T14:51:50.599-04:00A Recovering AlcoholicHello,<br />
<br />
I am a recovering alcoholic called DLS.<br />
<br />
I have written down some soundbites that I would like to offer to those of us who suffer from the disease of alcoholism.<br />
<br />
I hope that you will find this blog helpful as you work to walk the path of sobriety 24 hours a day.<br />
<br />
DLS<br />
<br />
<br />
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