http://www.ratbustersanonymous.com/forum/ Fri, 03 Sep 2010 01:27:51 +0000 MyBB http://www.ratbustersanonymous.com/forum/thread-1872.html Wed, 01 Sep 2010 08:30:36 -0400 http://www.ratbustersanonymous.com/forum/thread-1872.html
September 01, 2010

Real values

"We become able to make wise and loving decisions based on principles and ideals that have real value in our lives."
Basic Text, p.105

Addiction gave us a certain set of values, principles we applied in our lives. "You pushed me" one of those values told us, "so I pushed back, hard." "It's mine" was another value generated by our disease. "Well, okay, maybe it wasn't mine to start with, but I liked it, so I made it mine." Those values were hardly values at all-more like rationalizations-and they certainly didn't help us make wise and loving decisions. In fact, they served primarily to dig us deeper and deeper into the grave we'd already dug for ourselves.

The Twelve Steps give us a strong dose of real values, the kind that help us live in harmony with ourselves and those around us. We place our faith not in ourselves, our families, or our communities, but in a Higher Power-and in doing so, we grow secure enough to be able to trust our communities, our families, and even ourselves. We learn to be honest, no matter what-and we learn to refrain from doing things we might want to hide. We learn to accept responsibility for our actions. "It's mine" is replaced with a spirit of selflessness. These are the kind of values that help us become a responsible, productive part of the life around us. Rather than digging us deeper into a grave, these values restore us to the world of the living.

Just for Today: I am grateful for the values I've developed. I am thankful for the ability they give me to make wise, loving decisions as a responsible, productive member of my community.]]>
September 01, 2010

Real values

"We become able to make wise and loving decisions based on principles and ideals that have real value in our lives."
Basic Text, p.105

Addiction gave us a certain set of values, principles we applied in our lives. "You pushed me" one of those values told us, "so I pushed back, hard." "It's mine" was another value generated by our disease. "Well, okay, maybe it wasn't mine to start with, but I liked it, so I made it mine." Those values were hardly values at all-more like rationalizations-and they certainly didn't help us make wise and loving decisions. In fact, they served primarily to dig us deeper and deeper into the grave we'd already dug for ourselves.

The Twelve Steps give us a strong dose of real values, the kind that help us live in harmony with ourselves and those around us. We place our faith not in ourselves, our families, or our communities, but in a Higher Power-and in doing so, we grow secure enough to be able to trust our communities, our families, and even ourselves. We learn to be honest, no matter what-and we learn to refrain from doing things we might want to hide. We learn to accept responsibility for our actions. "It's mine" is replaced with a spirit of selflessness. These are the kind of values that help us become a responsible, productive part of the life around us. Rather than digging us deeper into a grave, these values restore us to the world of the living.

Just for Today: I am grateful for the values I've developed. I am thankful for the ability they give me to make wise, loving decisions as a responsible, productive member of my community.]]> http://www.ratbustersanonymous.com/forum/thread-1871.html Mon, 30 Aug 2010 05:55:16 -0400 http://www.ratbustersanonymous.com/forum/thread-1871.html
http://www.ratbustersanonymous.com/forum...ge-51.html

and thel,

i tought this thread would be a natural for you!

keep bust'n!]]>
http://www.ratbustersanonymous.com/forum...ge-51.html

and thel,

i tought this thread would be a natural for you!

keep bust'n!]]> http://www.ratbustersanonymous.com/forum/thread-1870.html Sun, 29 Aug 2010 21:19:36 -0400 http://www.ratbustersanonymous.com/forum/thread-1870.html
now, go help another fishermen!

]]>
now, go help another fishermen!

]]> http://www.ratbustersanonymous.com/forum/thread-1869.html Sun, 29 Aug 2010 21:18:12 -0400 http://www.ratbustersanonymous.com/forum/thread-1869.html
you just keep coming,

ya-here! lol Congratuations Tim on 22 years ]]>
you just keep coming,

ya-here! lol Congratuations Tim on 22 years ]]> http://www.ratbustersanonymous.com/forum/thread-1868.html Sun, 29 Aug 2010 15:06:03 -0400 http://www.ratbustersanonymous.com/forum/thread-1868.html
The following excerpts from a letter of Bill Wilson's was quoted in the memoirs of Tom Pike, and early California AA member. Tom did not use the name of the person addressed -- perhaps because he was still living.


Tom said:


Here in part is what Bill Wilson wrote in 1958 to a close friend who shared his problem with depression, describing how Bill himself used St. Francis's prayer as a steppingstone toward recovery:

Dear ...

I think that many oldsters who have put our AA "booze cure" to severe but successful tests still find they often lack emotional sobriety. Perhaps they will be the spearhead for the next major development in AA ... the development of much more real maturity and balance (which is to say, humility) in our relations with ourselves, with our fellows, and with God.

How to translate a right mental conviction into a right emotional result and so into easy, happy, and good living ... well, that's not only the neurotic's problem, it's the problem of life itself for all of us who have got to the point of real willingness to hew to right principles in all our affairs.

Even then, as we hew away, peace and joy may still elude us. That's the place so many of us AA oldsters have come to. And it's a hell of a spot, literally.

Last autumn, depression, having no really rational cause at all, almost took me to the cleaners. I began to be scared that I was in for another long chronic spell. Considering the grief I've had with depressions, it wasn't a bright prospect.

I kept asking myself, "Why can't the Twelve Steps work to release depression?" By the hour, I stared at the St. Francis prayer ... "It is better to comfort than to be comforted." Here was the formula, all right, but why didn't it work?

Suddenly I realized what the matter was ... My basic flaw had always been dependence, almost absolute dependence on people or circumstances to supply me with prestige, security, and the like. Failing to get these things according to my perfectionist dreams and specifications, I had fought for them. And when defeat came so did my depression.

There wasn't a chance of making the outgoing love of St. Francis a workable and joyous way of life until these fatal and almost absolute dependencies were cut away.

Reinforced by what grace I could secure in prayer, I found I had to exert every ounce of will and action to cut off these faulty emotional dependencies upon people, upon AA, indeed upon any set of circumstances whatsoever.

Then only could I be free to love as Francis had. Emotional and institutional satisfactions, I saw, were really the extra dividends of having love, offering love, and expressing a love appropriate to each relation of life.

Plainly, I could not avail myself of God's love until I was able to offer it back to Him by loving others as He would have me. And I couldn't possibly do that as long as I was victimized by false dependencies.

For my dependency meant demand ... a demand for the possession and control of the people and the conditions surrounding me.

This seems to be the primary healing circuit, an outgoing love of God's creation and His people, by means of which we avail ourselves of His love for us. It is most clear that the real current can't flow until our paralyzing dependencies are broken, and broken at depth. Only then can we possibly have a glimmer of what adult love really is.

If we examine every disturbance we have, great or small, we will find at the root of it some unhealthy dependency and its consequent demand. Let us, with God's help, continually surrender these hobbling demands. Then we can be set free to live and love; we may then be able to gain emotional sobriety.

Of course, I haven't offered you a really new idea ... only a gimmick that has started to unhook several of my own "hexes" at depth. Nowadays my brain no longer races compulsively in either elation, grandiosity or depression. I have been given a quiet place in bright sunshine.
__________________]]>
The following excerpts from a letter of Bill Wilson's was quoted in the memoirs of Tom Pike, and early California AA member. Tom did not use the name of the person addressed -- perhaps because he was still living.


Tom said:


Here in part is what Bill Wilson wrote in 1958 to a close friend who shared his problem with depression, describing how Bill himself used St. Francis's prayer as a steppingstone toward recovery:

Dear ...

I think that many oldsters who have put our AA "booze cure" to severe but successful tests still find they often lack emotional sobriety. Perhaps they will be the spearhead for the next major development in AA ... the development of much more real maturity and balance (which is to say, humility) in our relations with ourselves, with our fellows, and with God.

How to translate a right mental conviction into a right emotional result and so into easy, happy, and good living ... well, that's not only the neurotic's problem, it's the problem of life itself for all of us who have got to the point of real willingness to hew to right principles in all our affairs.

Even then, as we hew away, peace and joy may still elude us. That's the place so many of us AA oldsters have come to. And it's a hell of a spot, literally.

Last autumn, depression, having no really rational cause at all, almost took me to the cleaners. I began to be scared that I was in for another long chronic spell. Considering the grief I've had with depressions, it wasn't a bright prospect.

I kept asking myself, "Why can't the Twelve Steps work to release depression?" By the hour, I stared at the St. Francis prayer ... "It is better to comfort than to be comforted." Here was the formula, all right, but why didn't it work?

Suddenly I realized what the matter was ... My basic flaw had always been dependence, almost absolute dependence on people or circumstances to supply me with prestige, security, and the like. Failing to get these things according to my perfectionist dreams and specifications, I had fought for them. And when defeat came so did my depression.

There wasn't a chance of making the outgoing love of St. Francis a workable and joyous way of life until these fatal and almost absolute dependencies were cut away.

Reinforced by what grace I could secure in prayer, I found I had to exert every ounce of will and action to cut off these faulty emotional dependencies upon people, upon AA, indeed upon any set of circumstances whatsoever.

Then only could I be free to love as Francis had. Emotional and institutional satisfactions, I saw, were really the extra dividends of having love, offering love, and expressing a love appropriate to each relation of life.

Plainly, I could not avail myself of God's love until I was able to offer it back to Him by loving others as He would have me. And I couldn't possibly do that as long as I was victimized by false dependencies.

For my dependency meant demand ... a demand for the possession and control of the people and the conditions surrounding me.

This seems to be the primary healing circuit, an outgoing love of God's creation and His people, by means of which we avail ourselves of His love for us. It is most clear that the real current can't flow until our paralyzing dependencies are broken, and broken at depth. Only then can we possibly have a glimmer of what adult love really is.

If we examine every disturbance we have, great or small, we will find at the root of it some unhealthy dependency and its consequent demand. Let us, with God's help, continually surrender these hobbling demands. Then we can be set free to live and love; we may then be able to gain emotional sobriety.

Of course, I haven't offered you a really new idea ... only a gimmick that has started to unhook several of my own "hexes" at depth. Nowadays my brain no longer races compulsively in either elation, grandiosity or depression. I have been given a quiet place in bright sunshine.
__________________]]> http://www.ratbustersanonymous.com/forum/thread-1867.html Sun, 29 Aug 2010 13:44:02 -0400 http://www.ratbustersanonymous.com/forum/thread-1867.html

]]>

]]> http://www.ratbustersanonymous.com/forum/thread-1866.html Fri, 27 Aug 2010 19:06:06 -0400 http://www.ratbustersanonymous.com/forum/thread-1866.html This is why AA has an open door policy!]]> This is why AA has an open door policy!]]> http://www.ratbustersanonymous.com/forum/thread-1865.html Fri, 27 Aug 2010 18:58:49 -0400 http://www.ratbustersanonymous.com/forum/thread-1865.html
It is unreasonable to expect anyone to be able or willing to meet our every request. We are responsible for asking for what we want and need. It's the other person's responsibility to freely choose whether or not to respond to our request. If we try to coerce or force another to be there for us, that's controlling. There's a difference between asking and demanding. We want love that is freely given. It is reasonable to have certain and well defined expectations of our spouse, children, and friends.

It is reasonable to sprinkle our wants and needs around and to be realistic about how much we ask or expect of any particular person. We can trust ourselves to know what's reasonable.

The issue of expectations goes back to knowing that we are responsible for identifying our needs, believing they deserve to get met, and discovering an appropriate, satisfactory way to do that in our life.

Today, I will strive for reasonable expectations about getting my needs met in relationships.]]>
It is unreasonable to expect anyone to be able or willing to meet our every request. We are responsible for asking for what we want and need. It's the other person's responsibility to freely choose whether or not to respond to our request. If we try to coerce or force another to be there for us, that's controlling. There's a difference between asking and demanding. We want love that is freely given. It is reasonable to have certain and well defined expectations of our spouse, children, and friends.

It is reasonable to sprinkle our wants and needs around and to be realistic about how much we ask or expect of any particular person. We can trust ourselves to know what's reasonable.

The issue of expectations goes back to knowing that we are responsible for identifying our needs, believing they deserve to get met, and discovering an appropriate, satisfactory way to do that in our life.

Today, I will strive for reasonable expectations about getting my needs met in relationships.]]> http://www.ratbustersanonymous.com/forum/thread-1864.html Wed, 25 Aug 2010 07:12:17 -0400 http://www.ratbustersanonymous.com/forum/thread-1864.html
http://www.ratbustersanonymous.com/forum...l#pid91898]]>
http://www.ratbustersanonymous.com/forum...l#pid91898]]> http://www.ratbustersanonymous.com/forum/thread-1863.html Mon, 23 Aug 2010 23:37:40 -0400 http://www.ratbustersanonymous.com/forum/thread-1863.html


I would direct you to the foundation of our recovery--the 12 Steps. Read all 12 carefully. The word "alcohol" is used in the 1st Step and is never mentioned again. The derivative word "alcoholic" (one who has no control over alcohol) is only found in the 12th Step! There is no other mention of "alcohol" or "alcoholic" in the 12 Steps! The rest of the Steps have to do with daily living, and that is the purpose of recovery--to live life fully, without the destructive power of alcohol.

Source unknown]]>


I would direct you to the foundation of our recovery--the 12 Steps. Read all 12 carefully. The word "alcohol" is used in the 1st Step and is never mentioned again. The derivative word "alcoholic" (one who has no control over alcohol) is only found in the 12th Step! There is no other mention of "alcohol" or "alcoholic" in the 12 Steps! The rest of the Steps have to do with daily living, and that is the purpose of recovery--to live life fully, without the destructive power of alcohol.

Source unknown]]> http://www.ratbustersanonymous.com/forum/thread-1862.html Mon, 23 Aug 2010 19:15:01 -0400 http://www.ratbustersanonymous.com/forum/thread-1862.html
Kids are putting Drano, tin foil, and a little water in soda bottles and capping it up - leaving it on lawns. When you go to pick up the trash,

and the bottle is shaken just a little - in about 30 seconds or less it
builds up a gas and explodes with enough force to remove some of your
extremities.
The liquid that comes out is boiling hot as well.

Don't pick up any plastic bottles that may be lying in your yards or in
the gutter, etc.
Pay attention to this.

1. a plastic bottle with a cap.
2. a little Drano.
3. a little water.
4. a small piece of foil.
5. Disturb it by moving it;
................and BOOM!!

No fingers left and other serious effects to your face, eyes, etc.

People are finding these “bombs” in mailboxes and in
their yards, just waiting for you to pick it up intending to put it in the trash.

But, you'll never make it!!! It takes about 30 seconds to blow after
you move the
thing.

Call 911

See "SNOPES" below....it's true.

http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/bottlebomb.asp]]>
Kids are putting Drano, tin foil, and a little water in soda bottles and capping it up - leaving it on lawns. When you go to pick up the trash,

and the bottle is shaken just a little - in about 30 seconds or less it
builds up a gas and explodes with enough force to remove some of your
extremities.
The liquid that comes out is boiling hot as well.

Don't pick up any plastic bottles that may be lying in your yards or in
the gutter, etc.
Pay attention to this.

1. a plastic bottle with a cap.
2. a little Drano.
3. a little water.
4. a small piece of foil.
5. Disturb it by moving it;
................and BOOM!!

No fingers left and other serious effects to your face, eyes, etc.

People are finding these “bombs” in mailboxes and in
their yards, just waiting for you to pick it up intending to put it in the trash.

But, you'll never make it!!! It takes about 30 seconds to blow after
you move the
thing.

Call 911

See "SNOPES" below....it's true.

http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/bottlebomb.asp]]> http://www.ratbustersanonymous.com/forum/thread-1860.html Sun, 22 Aug 2010 02:36:43 -0400 http://www.ratbustersanonymous.com/forum/thread-1860.html
When you anticipate something it adds a zing to your life, an excitement in having something to look forward too if its good. It also can be negative creating fear and binding you up in knots and allowing you to go nowhere or even actually causing you to backslide.

How you handle anticipation is when it occurs you look to your HP for guidance in how to deal with it.

When its negative he will help to calm the fears and help you deal with them.

When its positive he will help you appreciate its approach without making plans, expectations, for what will be.

Good example was San Antonio, I so looked forward to it and with the "mickey Mouse" scooter I could have let it down my appreciation of the time there. I trusted in HP to resolve the issues and take care of me and he did.

Kasia]]>
When you anticipate something it adds a zing to your life, an excitement in having something to look forward too if its good. It also can be negative creating fear and binding you up in knots and allowing you to go nowhere or even actually causing you to backslide.

How you handle anticipation is when it occurs you look to your HP for guidance in how to deal with it.

When its negative he will help to calm the fears and help you deal with them.

When its positive he will help you appreciate its approach without making plans, expectations, for what will be.

Good example was San Antonio, I so looked forward to it and with the "mickey Mouse" scooter I could have let it down my appreciation of the time there. I trusted in HP to resolve the issues and take care of me and he did.

Kasia]]> http://www.ratbustersanonymous.com/forum/thread-1858.html Thu, 19 Aug 2010 22:52:45 -0400 http://www.ratbustersanonymous.com/forum/thread-1858.html http://www.ratbustersanonymous.com/forum/thread-1857.html Thu, 19 Aug 2010 22:49:36 -0400 http://www.ratbustersanonymous.com/forum/thread-1857.html
2. You will be able to shave yourself.

3. You will be able to dress and undress yourself at the appropriate times and places.

4. You will at times know the city, state, and even the community you live in.

5. You will routinely be able to find matching socks.

6. You will lose your fear of God.

7. You will spend less time in the barroom.

8. You will be able to smoke without burning holes in your clothes and furniture.

9. You will be able to walk in a straight line and pass a balloon test.

10. You will lose your fear of police cars in your rear-view mirror.

11. You will be able to answer the door without looking through the peephole first.

12. You will realize what a mess you have been and thank God for A.A.]]>
2. You will be able to shave yourself.

3. You will be able to dress and undress yourself at the appropriate times and places.

4. You will at times know the city, state, and even the community you live in.

5. You will routinely be able to find matching socks.

6. You will lose your fear of God.

7. You will spend less time in the barroom.

8. You will be able to smoke without burning holes in your clothes and furniture.

9. You will be able to walk in a straight line and pass a balloon test.

10. You will lose your fear of police cars in your rear-view mirror.

11. You will be able to answer the door without looking through the peephole first.

12. You will realize what a mess you have been and thank God for A.A.]]> http://www.ratbustersanonymous.com/forum/thread-1854.html Thu, 19 Aug 2010 02:26:55 -0400 http://www.ratbustersanonymous.com/forum/thread-1854.html
In vain I tried to reach those steps, by myself it could not be done. I cried for help and a Voice replied, "You are standing on Step number 1."

"Who’s that?" I asked. "What do you want?" "Can you tell me what to do?" "Give me your hand," the Voice answered, and you’ll be on Step number 2." I help up my hand.

I decided that I alone could not set myself free. But I trusted that Voice and it suddenly said, "You are standing on Step number 3." I stop there and rest, and look at myself. I don’t think I can do anymore.

From somewhere above the Voice came again, "You are standing on Step number 4." Wherever you are, you don’t understand, I don’t deserve to be alive. For I am a liar, a thief and a con.

The Voice said, "You’re on Step number 5." I’m not well, I’m not right. There’s a lot wrong with me, is there anything you can fix?

The Voice came again and so gently replied "You are standing on Step number 6." All right then, I’ll ask--can you take these away? Can you make me feel closer to Heaven?

"I love you," the Voice said. "Your Heaven’s in you, and you’re standing on Step number 7."

There’s so many I’ve harmed, my family I’ve hurt--all the pain and the grief and the hate. "It’s alright my child," the Voice calmly said, "You are now on Step number 8."

"You must tell them you’re sorry. You must make things right. And then in their eyes you will shine." "I’ll do it," I whispered.

And then the Voice calmly said, "You’re standing on Step number 9." I must keep a close eye on my motives and self cause there’s wrongs that I may do again.

"Look at you," the Voice said, "at how far you’ve come! You are now on Step number 10." I pray and I ask for knowledge and strength. I want to keep my direct line to Heaven.

The Voice is so close--it’s as if it’s right there, saying "You’re standing on Step number 11." And so here I stand, almost at the top. Into all of my past I did delve.

Now I want to help others who are still in the pit. And the Voice said "This is Step number 12."

Anonymous]]>
In vain I tried to reach those steps, by myself it could not be done. I cried for help and a Voice replied, "You are standing on Step number 1."

"Who’s that?" I asked. "What do you want?" "Can you tell me what to do?" "Give me your hand," the Voice answered, and you’ll be on Step number 2." I help up my hand.

I decided that I alone could not set myself free. But I trusted that Voice and it suddenly said, "You are standing on Step number 3." I stop there and rest, and look at myself. I don’t think I can do anymore.

From somewhere above the Voice came again, "You are standing on Step number 4." Wherever you are, you don’t understand, I don’t deserve to be alive. For I am a liar, a thief and a con.

The Voice said, "You’re on Step number 5." I’m not well, I’m not right. There’s a lot wrong with me, is there anything you can fix?

The Voice came again and so gently replied "You are standing on Step number 6." All right then, I’ll ask--can you take these away? Can you make me feel closer to Heaven?

"I love you," the Voice said. "Your Heaven’s in you, and you’re standing on Step number 7."

There’s so many I’ve harmed, my family I’ve hurt--all the pain and the grief and the hate. "It’s alright my child," the Voice calmly said, "You are now on Step number 8."

"You must tell them you’re sorry. You must make things right. And then in their eyes you will shine." "I’ll do it," I whispered.

And then the Voice calmly said, "You’re standing on Step number 9." I must keep a close eye on my motives and self cause there’s wrongs that I may do again.

"Look at you," the Voice said, "at how far you’ve come! You are now on Step number 10." I pray and I ask for knowledge and strength. I want to keep my direct line to Heaven.

The Voice is so close--it’s as if it’s right there, saying "You’re standing on Step number 11." And so here I stand, almost at the top. Into all of my past I did delve.

Now I want to help others who are still in the pit. And the Voice said "This is Step number 12."

Anonymous]]> http://www.ratbustersanonymous.com/forum/thread-1853.html Wed, 18 Aug 2010 06:47:09 -0400 http://www.ratbustersanonymous.com/forum/thread-1853.html
Celebrating 90 years since the ratification of the 19th Amendment,

guaranteeing women the right to vote!

]]>
Celebrating 90 years since the ratification of the 19th Amendment,

guaranteeing women the right to vote!

]]> http://www.ratbustersanonymous.com/forum/thread-1852.html Wed, 18 Aug 2010 02:43:49 -0400 http://www.ratbustersanonymous.com/forum/thread-1852.html
Higher Power, my inventory has shown me who I am, yet I ask for Your help in admitting my wrongs to another person and to You. Assure me, and be with me, in this Step, for without this Step I cannot progress in my recovery. With Your help, I can do this, and I will do it.]]>
Higher Power, my inventory has shown me who I am, yet I ask for Your help in admitting my wrongs to another person and to You. Assure me, and be with me, in this Step, for without this Step I cannot progress in my recovery. With Your help, I can do this, and I will do it.]]> http://www.ratbustersanonymous.com/forum/thread-1851.html Tue, 17 Aug 2010 09:22:05 -0400 http://www.ratbustersanonymous.com/forum/thread-1851.html I've made it to 7 months...WOOHOO!!! Am working on making it one day at a time. I will NOT quit.]]> I've made it to 7 months...WOOHOO!!! Am working on making it one day at a time. I will NOT quit.]]> http://www.ratbustersanonymous.com/forum/thread-1849.html Sun, 15 Aug 2010 03:42:11 -0400 http://www.ratbustersanonymous.com/forum/thread-1849.html
Scary words. OMG! Did I just say that! Did I mean it? At first it was a facade that allowed me to excuse my binges when I got to stressed out emotionally and mentally. Physically I could deal with simply because pain was the nature of the beast at times when dealing with life. So for me between the first time it entered my brain and the time it entered my heart there were quite a few meetings and quite a few drunks and binges.

The hardest thing about admitting to being an alcoholic was not saying it but accepting it. In San Antonio walking down to the first big meeting and the flag ceremony I was riding that humongous scooter and following the crowd and during one of the brief halts to let traffic go by I was talking with a woman from another country and she was talking about how easy it seem to just say "I'm alcoholic" and it resolved a ton of issues. I looked at her and laughed an agreed and then stated "I used that as an excuse for my last 13 months of drinking because I had not accepted it in my heart. When that acceptance came then the 'I 'm an alcoholic' meant it and I believed it. The 17 inches from the head to the heart is the longest and most frightening distance there is in admitting you're an alcoholic." She looked at me and said "Repeat that phrase about acceptance so I can write it down exactly so when I tell my sponsor who I am sitting with I can quote it exactly." The look of joy and excitement on her face was indescribable. Such a simple statement that I learned here in New York from an old timer who has joined Bill W's meeting with HP made such a difference to one who, as she told me, had been struggling with that statement and it literally resonated within her soul when I mentioned the distance and acceptance.

How many short phrases that we know and take for granted can help a struggling newcomer?]]>
Scary words. OMG! Did I just say that! Did I mean it? At first it was a facade that allowed me to excuse my binges when I got to stressed out emotionally and mentally. Physically I could deal with simply because pain was the nature of the beast at times when dealing with life. So for me between the first time it entered my brain and the time it entered my heart there were quite a few meetings and quite a few drunks and binges.

The hardest thing about admitting to being an alcoholic was not saying it but accepting it. In San Antonio walking down to the first big meeting and the flag ceremony I was riding that humongous scooter and following the crowd and during one of the brief halts to let traffic go by I was talking with a woman from another country and she was talking about how easy it seem to just say "I'm alcoholic" and it resolved a ton of issues. I looked at her and laughed an agreed and then stated "I used that as an excuse for my last 13 months of drinking because I had not accepted it in my heart. When that acceptance came then the 'I 'm an alcoholic' meant it and I believed it. The 17 inches from the head to the heart is the longest and most frightening distance there is in admitting you're an alcoholic." She looked at me and said "Repeat that phrase about acceptance so I can write it down exactly so when I tell my sponsor who I am sitting with I can quote it exactly." The look of joy and excitement on her face was indescribable. Such a simple statement that I learned here in New York from an old timer who has joined Bill W's meeting with HP made such a difference to one who, as she told me, had been struggling with that statement and it literally resonated within her soul when I mentioned the distance and acceptance.

How many short phrases that we know and take for granted can help a struggling newcomer?]]> http://www.ratbustersanonymous.com/forum/thread-1848.html Sun, 15 Aug 2010 01:43:33 -0400 http://www.ratbustersanonymous.com/forum/thread-1848.html meeting no matter what the topic. Keep my mind free from the recital of
endless details and give me wings to get to the point. Remind me to guard
confidences and to keep still when I feel that it is necessary to share
information "just for some one's own good."Release me from the need to
straighten out everybody else's thinking and program.

God, I ask for the grace to listen to newcomers. Please help me to
remember the patience with which others listened to me when I was new.
Please seal my lips to giving advice, and help me to remember to share my
experience, strength, and hope. Remind me that my purpose is to fit myself
to be of maximum service to You and the people around me.

Help me to remain teachable, God. Teach me (again!) the lesson that,
occasionally, it is possible that I may be wrong and remind me of the
freedom that I gain when I am able to promptly admit it and make amends
where necessary. Help me to remember the difference between making amends
and saying I'm sorry.

Help me to be a worker among workers, a friend among friends, and a drunk
among drunks. Keep me from being a bleeding deacon, God, and help me to
walk the path towards being an elder statesman. Keep me ever mindful that
I cannot manage my own life. I don't want to be a saint, God, show me the
way to seek you so that I may continue to grow along spiritual lines.
Remind me to put Rule 62 into practice in my life. It is so easy to take
myself too seriously.

Keep me free of gossip, character assassination, and judgment. Remind me
that although I have humbly asked, my character defects and shortcomings
arise when I least expect them. Help me to walk with serendipity, to see
good things in unexpected places and talents in unexpected people and give
me the grace to tell them so. Help me to see that You love each of Your
children, and that You do not need my opinion of them or suggestions on
what they might deserve.

Help me to be willing to accept Your answer to my prayers, whether or not
it is the answer that I thought I wanted. You know that I have trouble
with acceptance sometimes, God, so there are times when You will need to
help me to be willing to be willing. Show me how to walk through life with
grace, dignity, and my head held high, carrying Your message and
practicing these principles in all my affairs.

And God, thank You for the people that You have put in my life. My family,
of origin, and of AA. My sponsor, my sponsees, my sister sponsees, the
people of my home group, the women who first reached out their hands to
welcome me to the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous. I know today, God,
that I could not have walked these steps to get from where I was when I
walked in the door to the woman that I am today, if it were not for the
blessings You have given me through Your precious children.

Thanks, God!

Author unknown]]> meeting no matter what the topic. Keep my mind free from the recital of
endless details and give me wings to get to the point. Remind me to guard
confidences and to keep still when I feel that it is necessary to share
information "just for some one's own good."Release me from the need to
straighten out everybody else's thinking and program.

God, I ask for the grace to listen to newcomers. Please help me to
remember the patience with which others listened to me when I was new.
Please seal my lips to giving advice, and help me to remember to share my
experience, strength, and hope. Remind me that my purpose is to fit myself
to be of maximum service to You and the people around me.

Help me to remain teachable, God. Teach me (again!) the lesson that,
occasionally, it is possible that I may be wrong and remind me of the
freedom that I gain when I am able to promptly admit it and make amends
where necessary. Help me to remember the difference between making amends
and saying I'm sorry.

Help me to be a worker among workers, a friend among friends, and a drunk
among drunks. Keep me from being a bleeding deacon, God, and help me to
walk the path towards being an elder statesman. Keep me ever mindful that
I cannot manage my own life. I don't want to be a saint, God, show me the
way to seek you so that I may continue to grow along spiritual lines.
Remind me to put Rule 62 into practice in my life. It is so easy to take
myself too seriously.

Keep me free of gossip, character assassination, and judgment. Remind me
that although I have humbly asked, my character defects and shortcomings
arise when I least expect them. Help me to walk with serendipity, to see
good things in unexpected places and talents in unexpected people and give
me the grace to tell them so. Help me to see that You love each of Your
children, and that You do not need my opinion of them or suggestions on
what they might deserve.

Help me to be willing to accept Your answer to my prayers, whether or not
it is the answer that I thought I wanted. You know that I have trouble
with acceptance sometimes, God, so there are times when You will need to
help me to be willing to be willing. Show me how to walk through life with
grace, dignity, and my head held high, carrying Your message and
practicing these principles in all my affairs.

And God, thank You for the people that You have put in my life. My family,
of origin, and of AA. My sponsor, my sponsees, my sister sponsees, the
people of my home group, the women who first reached out their hands to
welcome me to the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous. I know today, God,
that I could not have walked these steps to get from where I was when I
walked in the door to the woman that I am today, if it were not for the
blessings You have given me through Your precious children.

Thanks, God!

Author unknown]]>