Friday, June 15, 2007

commercial free and still standing

Mary Christine (Anonymous Alcoholic) wrote this earlier this week. I really like it and want to repeat it here, just because it makes so much sense (to me).
With MC's permission, I give you this ...

"Here is a phenomena I have noticed over the years, but have noticed more recently. Those who have had periods of sobriety, gotten drunk, and then have come back seem to go off on these lectures about how tenuous sobriety is - with stern warnings about what can happen. Most of us have already heeded that warning years ago, and that is why we are sitting at a meeting - in no crisis, just sitting there on a perfectly nice sober day. I will sometimes ask someone returning "what happened?" and find the answers may vary in small details, but it is always the same. Sobriety Losing Its Priority (SLIP). They found a new boy/girl/friend. They got a new job, they went back to school... all these are great, but then they stopped going to meetings, they stopped calling their sponsors, they stopped praying. Anyway, I think it is much more helpful to hear how people DO stay sober than hearing how they DIDN'T stay sober."

I agree. While it's important to know those reasons excuses, the newcomer needs to learn how to get sober and stay sober. Hell, we already know how to get drunk.


todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for a great Step 4 meeting ---- some great reminders for me to watch out about taking personal inventories - of other people

to discover (through lushgirl) another sober blogger - CARDINAL -
drop by and say hi if you get the opportunity

that I had a nuclear stress test (cardio) yesterday and spent 6 hours and a lot of money doing it -- hopefully the results will be OK, but I am prepared to be told about some artery blockage after all the years of abuse to my body

that tomorrow night is our annual Miss Lambda Contest --
if you're in Houston, don't miss it!!

that I'm going to the Astros game tonight with other recovering alkies and none of us will be buying the $8 beer

for Fred and Ethel Mertz

"In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different."
-Coco Chanel

Here's a little joke to start your weekend ...
An old woman rear ended a car a few days ago.......
The driver got out of the other car, he was a DWARF!!
He was very angry!
He looked up at me and said, "I am NOT happy!"
So I asked, "Then which one ARE you?"

15 comments:

Pammie said...

I loved that from MC also Daave!! It made lots of sense to me. HEY...I'll see ya at Lambda tomorrow night. I'll be the one with the shorter blonde hair.

Mary Christine said...

That MC used the word "phenomena" when she should have used the word "phenomenon". Sheeesh.

Todd HellsKitchen said...

Nice photo yesterday...

Fred and Ethel?
Hehehe.

Trudging said...

M.C. is right! We just had a rash of people going out including one of my sponsees. I know in her case she stopped calling, stopped going to meetings. Stopped trying to work step three...

lushgurl said...

Hey, good luck at 'Miss Lambda'...
Yup, drunk I do know, and today I am working on staying sober thanks to people just like YOU!
No, I'm NOT Grumpy...

Unknown said...

Thanks for posting MC's share Dave as I don't get around like I use to ;) NOT LIKE THAT ;0

We have a revolving door person who always seems to have all the answers but has continually picked up for the past 17 years! Constitutionally incapable I guess. All I can do is pray about it.

Have a great weekend Davester!
Love and hugs,
Gwen

Syd said...

It works if you work it. I liked the dwarf joke by the way. Have a good time at the ball game and at Lambda house.

Unknown said...

Three things:
1. I have never seem someone fail who has "thoroughly followed our path"
2. Whatever you put before sobriety, you will lose.
3. I had the nuclear stress test not long ago. I can only offer the following advice. Pray. Let go and let God. All will be exactly as it is supposed to be. (I hope that does not sound trite)

Anonymous said...

thanks for the post Dave
need to hear the "duh" type things now and again.

hell ya, I know how to be a drunk. I know plenty on how to screw up. lol

have a great day, Dave :)

Scott M. Frey said...

lol, great joke, I agree with you and MC.. great stuff as always... thanks for continuing to stop by my bloggage..

lash505 said...

MC is the queen and you to daave lol.
Steady dose of sobriety..

JJ said...

Miss Lambda contest...shit I'll be right down...hehehe
JJ

Meg Moran said...

buedang! wish I could be there!

Redhead Gal said...

great post! Have fun at the contest.

Anonymous said...

If anything I am grateful for my SLIP. It is God's gift to me, and I now am reading with absolutely NO Reservation.

I do comprehend what MC voiced . . . I have heard many newcomers share a sick message, but I have also heard many share wisdom that has helped an old timer as well.

I knew what I had to do to stay sober, I just did not do it, plain and simple hence my downfall. I still know what I need to do to stay sober, it is a simple program after all. It is we, or I that can make it complex.