The Paradox of Sobriety

"I cannot keep my gift of sobriety unless I give it away."

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.

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?"

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.

Play 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..

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.

However, what happened with my drinking created the situations with which I was dealing! My life was a mess.

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.

Do you want to find your length of sober time??

I have found an excellent resource at www.soberrecovery.com/sobertime.html

The website is an excellent resource for alcoholism, drug addiction, and many other types of addiction 

Check it out!! 

Please continue to follow me at soundbitesforanalcoholic.blogspot.com 

I look forward to walking the journey of sobriety with you, one day at a time! 

Thanks, Donna S.

Prayer and Meditation Resources

I thought I would post the prayer and meditation resources that I use to help maintain my sobriety on a daily basis. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

"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."

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.

Facing My Feelings

"I never felt anything because I never faced anything. I hid behind the drink."

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.

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.

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.

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.

Responsibility

"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."

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!"

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.

Attitude toward Others

"It's not what you do to me; it is what I do back to you."

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.

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.

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.