Monday, June 26, 2006

To drink is to die

It is plain that a life which includes deep resentment leads only to futility and unhappiness. To the precise extent that we permit these, do we squander the hours that might have been worth while. But with the alcoholic, whose hope is the maintenance and growth of a spiritual experience, this business of resentment is infinitely grave. We found that it is fatal. For when harboring such feelings we shut ourselves off from the sunlight of the Spirit. The insanity of alcohol returns and we drink again. And with us, to drink is to die.
Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th edition, page 66

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that my biggest remaining resentments today are the ones I have against my character defects

for the magic behind working the 9th step of AA

for the birthday dinner for 3 fellow alkies @ Ninfa's Mexican Restaurant; there were 30 of us there before heading to Lambda where there were about 150 present to honor them and 25 other celebrants

for a really inspirational birthday night at Lambda on Saturday

that I remain sober regardless of the crap going on in my mind the last 2 days

for a realization that I was not able to really change the People, Places & Things in my life until after I had formally learned about the 12 Steps of AA

that I had no desire to attend the Gay Pride parade

that I realize I have such a long way to go and cannot afford to stop my progress

Happiness makes up in height for what it lacks in length.
-Robert Frost

11 comments:

Scott M. Frey said...

thanks for that reading from the BB, that's right where I am right now... struggling with anger and resentment... ugh!

peace

Sunshine said...

awesome to hear about bday night : ) one day i'll make it up there to see the show!

Keep on keepin' on!

Jonathan29 said...

I agree...birthday night rocked.

Shannon said...

TO DRINK IS TO DIE!!!
how freaking true
one of my old sponsees now has 3 weeks, she said all I wanted was for the pain to end, right now...
she has 3 weeks now, and I am glad

I am sooooooo grateful that I know DRINKING IS NOT AN OPTION, and grateful that in my head it is not too... thanks DAAve good post
hugs

Unknown said...

that my biggest remaining resentments today are the ones I have against my character defects

I KNOW! (big push like Elaine from Seinfeld)

Gooey Munster said...

So much good fun recovery out there!

jake said...

RIGHT ON THE MONEY....YOUR DEFECTS OF CHARACTER, THAT'S A GOOD ONE.

Mary Christine said...

Speaking of Elaine -
GET OUT!
Just kidding. Thanks as always Daave.

JJ said...

that I remain sober regardless of the crap going on in my mind the last 2 days

I'm grateful for that too.
See you soon.........
JJ

lash505 said...

It is nice to celebrate with others.

Carly said...

"that I realize I have such a long way to go and cannot afford to stop my progress"

Always love reading your grAAtitudes and sooooooo especially relate to this one today.