My 12 Step Program
Wednesday, May 29, 2002
Tuesday, May 28, 2002
Don't go on a dinner cruise.
Dinner cruise is a code word for party, drinking, and gambling boat. Don't get caught in the trap! ¶ 5/28/2002 08:12:00 PM
Dinner cruise is a code word for party, drinking, and gambling boat. Don't get caught in the trap! ¶ 5/28/2002 08:12:00 PM
Wednesday, May 22, 2002
I found the last post on the Delphi Forums.................maybe I should give ya a link to it.............maybe not LOLOLOL
¶ 5/22/2002 08:33:00 AM
Factors in Relapse — “The Deadly Thirteen”
Virtually all chemical dependency and addiction practitioners agree that relapse is a complex phenomenon, and that any given relapse is due to a combination of factors. Here is one list of commonly experienced factors in which no particular order of importance is intended:
1. Complacency — the feeling that “everything is going fine and I’m not even thinking of drinking/using.”
2. . Forgetting the consequences — not adequately remembering the outcomes have followed previous drinking, using episodes.
3. Omnipotence — “I can handle it now that I’ve gotten back on track.”
4. Exhaustion (physical and/or mental and/or emotional) — failure to achieve proper rest, nutrition, and sleep which is often a “rebound” effect from workaholism due to getting into condition to return to work and normal life.
5. Not following needed sobriety disciplines — skipping AA/NA meetings and/or cutting back or eliminating counseling.
6. Use of mood altering chemicals — alcoholic using drugs (including prescriptions) and narcotic addicts using alcohol.
7. Unrealistic self-expectations — setting personal goals too high.
8. Unrealistic expectations of others — in personal or business life, believing others should behave or perform according to ones own values or goals.
9. Forgetting gratitude — failure to routinely focus on the positive aspects of life, especially life free of addiction and/or abuse
10. Self-pity — “Nobody appreciates me/what I doing/how hard I’m working/etc.”
11. Depression — excessive negativity that is not dealt with by seeking help.
12. Argumentativeness — inappropriate disagreements, especially over small or minor issues.
13. Dishonesty — consistent pattern of little lies and deceits with family, friends, co-workers, subordinates, and superiors.
¶ 5/22/2002 08:32:00 AM
Virtually all chemical dependency and addiction practitioners agree that relapse is a complex phenomenon, and that any given relapse is due to a combination of factors. Here is one list of commonly experienced factors in which no particular order of importance is intended:
1. Complacency — the feeling that “everything is going fine and I’m not even thinking of drinking/using.”
2. . Forgetting the consequences — not adequately remembering the outcomes have followed previous drinking, using episodes.
3. Omnipotence — “I can handle it now that I’ve gotten back on track.”
4. Exhaustion (physical and/or mental and/or emotional) — failure to achieve proper rest, nutrition, and sleep which is often a “rebound” effect from workaholism due to getting into condition to return to work and normal life.
5. Not following needed sobriety disciplines — skipping AA/NA meetings and/or cutting back or eliminating counseling.
6. Use of mood altering chemicals — alcoholic using drugs (including prescriptions) and narcotic addicts using alcohol.
7. Unrealistic self-expectations — setting personal goals too high.
8. Unrealistic expectations of others — in personal or business life, believing others should behave or perform according to ones own values or goals.
9. Forgetting gratitude — failure to routinely focus on the positive aspects of life, especially life free of addiction and/or abuse
10. Self-pity — “Nobody appreciates me/what I doing/how hard I’m working/etc.”
11. Depression — excessive negativity that is not dealt with by seeking help.
12. Argumentativeness — inappropriate disagreements, especially over small or minor issues.
13. Dishonesty — consistent pattern of little lies and deceits with family, friends, co-workers, subordinates, and superiors.
¶ 5/22/2002 08:32:00 AM
Monday, May 20, 2002
Sunday, May 19, 2002
Step 9
Can you believe I am actually getting this done!!! June 6th will be my Anniversay, BTW!!! ¶ 5/19/2002 03:46:00 PM
Can you believe I am actually getting this done!!! June 6th will be my Anniversay, BTW!!! ¶ 5/19/2002 03:46:00 PM
T.G.I.S. #34 - Accept Life on Life's Terms
It's really surprising to know that there is so much hope out there. The reason I'm saying this is because I will be unemployed from the end of February. Company has downsized quiet considerably over the past two years.
When I received my retrenchment news, I took it with very good composure. I would not have been this way had I not gone through the 12 steps of recovery. My working colleages were shocked that I took this in my stride. The first thing I mentioned when my manager asked if there were any questions was, " well, it's not the end of the world" and when asked how I was going to manage, " I'll take the day as it comes". Basically what I said was - one day at a time. And I'm ever so grateful to the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous for preparing me for this most challenging task ahead.
A little later on, on that day I had a long thought. My thoughts went back to appreciation. I take it for granted that food is on my table everyday, clothes on my body everyday, and so on. Did I ever appreciate these simple things in life? Now it rings in my mind - but never forgetting one day at a time, easy does it, by the Grace of God.
The following day the speaker spelt out loud and clear the difference between needs and wants. And now I realise that my needs were always there, and most of my want were also there. Now I have to learn to work towards my needs and leave the wants for whenever - they are not necessary!
One of my sponsor's always tells me or anyone for that matter, that you need to accept life on life's terms. There IS no escaping this, it is His will.
On that note, I thought this would be interesting......
Accept Life on Life's Terms - The simple ABC's
A--Accept
Accept others for who they are and for the choices they've made even if you have difficulty understanding their beliefs, motives, or actions.
B--Break Away
Break away from everything that stands in the way of what you hope to accomplish with your life.
C--Create
Create a family of friends whom you can share your hopes, dreams, sorrows,and happiness with.
D--Decide
Decide that you'll be successful and happy come what may, and good things will find you. The roadblocks are only minor obstacles along the way.
E--Explore
Explore and experiment. The world has much to offer, and you have much to give. And every time you try something new, you'll learn more about yourself.
F--Forgive
Forgive and forget. Grudges only weigh you down and inspire unhappiness and grief. Soar above it, and remember that everyone makes mistakes.
G--Grow
Leave the childhood monsters behind. They can no longer hurt you or stand in your way.
H--Hope
Hope for the best and never forget that anything is possible as long as you remain dedicated to the task.
I--Ignore
Ignore the negative voice inside your head. Focus instead on your goals and remember your accomplishments. Your past success is only a small inkling of what the future holds.
J--Journey
Journey to new worlds, new possibilities, by remaining open-minded. Try to learn something new every day, and you'll grow.
K--Know
Know that no matter how bad things seem, they'll always get better. The warmth of spring always follows the harshest winter.
L--Love
Let love fill your heart instead of hate. When hate is in your heart, there's room for nothing else, but when love is in your heart, there's room for endless happiness.
M--Manage
Manage your time and your expenses wisely, and you'll suffer less stress and worry. Then you'll be able to focus on the important things in life.
N--Notice
Never ignore the poor, infirm, helpless, weak, or suffering. Offer your assistance when possible, and always your kindness and understanding.
O--Open
Open your eyes and take in all the beauty around you. Even during the worst of times, there's still much to be thankful for.
P--Play
Never forget to have fun along the way. Success means nothing without happiness.
Q--Question
Ask many questions, because you're here to learn.
R--Relax
Refuse to let worry and stress rule your life, and remember that things always have a way of working out in the end.
S--Share
Share your talent, skills, knowledge, and time with others. Everything that you invest in others will return to you many times over.
T--Try
Even when your dreams seem impossible to reach, try anyway. You'll be amazed by what you can accomplish.
U--Use
Use your gifts to your best ability. Talent that's wasted has no value. Talent that's used will bring unexpected rewards.
V--Value
Value the friends and family members who've supported and encouraged you, and be there for them as well.
W--Work
Work hard every day to be the best person you can be, but never feel guilty if you fall short of your goals. Every sunrise offers a second chance.
X--Ray
Look deep inside the hearts of those around you and you'll see the goodness and beauty within.
Y--Yield
Yield to commitment. If you stay on track and remain dedicated, you'll find success at the end of the road.
Z--Zoom
Zoom to a happy place when bad memories or sorrow rears its ugly head. Let nothing interfere with your goals. Instead, focus on your abilities, your dreams, and a brighter tomorrow.
Best regards,
Anil
Bayview group, Chatsworth
South Africa
¶ 5/19/2002 03:45:00 PM
It's really surprising to know that there is so much hope out there. The reason I'm saying this is because I will be unemployed from the end of February. Company has downsized quiet considerably over the past two years.
When I received my retrenchment news, I took it with very good composure. I would not have been this way had I not gone through the 12 steps of recovery. My working colleages were shocked that I took this in my stride. The first thing I mentioned when my manager asked if there were any questions was, " well, it's not the end of the world" and when asked how I was going to manage, " I'll take the day as it comes". Basically what I said was - one day at a time. And I'm ever so grateful to the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous for preparing me for this most challenging task ahead.
A little later on, on that day I had a long thought. My thoughts went back to appreciation. I take it for granted that food is on my table everyday, clothes on my body everyday, and so on. Did I ever appreciate these simple things in life? Now it rings in my mind - but never forgetting one day at a time, easy does it, by the Grace of God.
The following day the speaker spelt out loud and clear the difference between needs and wants. And now I realise that my needs were always there, and most of my want were also there. Now I have to learn to work towards my needs and leave the wants for whenever - they are not necessary!
One of my sponsor's always tells me or anyone for that matter, that you need to accept life on life's terms. There IS no escaping this, it is His will.
On that note, I thought this would be interesting......
Accept Life on Life's Terms - The simple ABC's
A--Accept
Accept others for who they are and for the choices they've made even if you have difficulty understanding their beliefs, motives, or actions.
B--Break Away
Break away from everything that stands in the way of what you hope to accomplish with your life.
C--Create
Create a family of friends whom you can share your hopes, dreams, sorrows,and happiness with.
D--Decide
Decide that you'll be successful and happy come what may, and good things will find you. The roadblocks are only minor obstacles along the way.
E--Explore
Explore and experiment. The world has much to offer, and you have much to give. And every time you try something new, you'll learn more about yourself.
F--Forgive
Forgive and forget. Grudges only weigh you down and inspire unhappiness and grief. Soar above it, and remember that everyone makes mistakes.
G--Grow
Leave the childhood monsters behind. They can no longer hurt you or stand in your way.
H--Hope
Hope for the best and never forget that anything is possible as long as you remain dedicated to the task.
I--Ignore
Ignore the negative voice inside your head. Focus instead on your goals and remember your accomplishments. Your past success is only a small inkling of what the future holds.
J--Journey
Journey to new worlds, new possibilities, by remaining open-minded. Try to learn something new every day, and you'll grow.
K--Know
Know that no matter how bad things seem, they'll always get better. The warmth of spring always follows the harshest winter.
L--Love
Let love fill your heart instead of hate. When hate is in your heart, there's room for nothing else, but when love is in your heart, there's room for endless happiness.
M--Manage
Manage your time and your expenses wisely, and you'll suffer less stress and worry. Then you'll be able to focus on the important things in life.
N--Notice
Never ignore the poor, infirm, helpless, weak, or suffering. Offer your assistance when possible, and always your kindness and understanding.
O--Open
Open your eyes and take in all the beauty around you. Even during the worst of times, there's still much to be thankful for.
P--Play
Never forget to have fun along the way. Success means nothing without happiness.
Q--Question
Ask many questions, because you're here to learn.
R--Relax
Refuse to let worry and stress rule your life, and remember that things always have a way of working out in the end.
S--Share
Share your talent, skills, knowledge, and time with others. Everything that you invest in others will return to you many times over.
T--Try
Even when your dreams seem impossible to reach, try anyway. You'll be amazed by what you can accomplish.
U--Use
Use your gifts to your best ability. Talent that's wasted has no value. Talent that's used will bring unexpected rewards.
V--Value
Value the friends and family members who've supported and encouraged you, and be there for them as well.
W--Work
Work hard every day to be the best person you can be, but never feel guilty if you fall short of your goals. Every sunrise offers a second chance.
X--Ray
Look deep inside the hearts of those around you and you'll see the goodness and beauty within.
Y--Yield
Yield to commitment. If you stay on track and remain dedicated, you'll find success at the end of the road.
Z--Zoom
Zoom to a happy place when bad memories or sorrow rears its ugly head. Let nothing interfere with your goals. Instead, focus on your abilities, your dreams, and a brighter tomorrow.
Best regards,
Anil
Bayview group, Chatsworth
South Africa
¶ 5/19/2002 03:45:00 PM
Sunday, May 12, 2002
AA Thoughts and Sayings
"Sobriety is the leading cause of relapse."
"A treatment center is where you go and pay $15,000 to find out that AA meetings are free."
"This is a 'One Day at a Time' program. If you are clean and sober today, you are tied for first place in AA"
"If drinking is interfering with your work, you're probably a heavy drinker. If work is interfering with your drinking, you're probably an alcoholic."
"I often obsessively pursue feeling good...no matter how bad it makes me feel."
"When I was new, I didn't think I had any obsessions until I started thinking about it. Then it was all I could think about."
"How come if alcohol kills millions of brain cells, it never killed the ones that made me want to drink?"
"It's not old behavior if I'm still doing it."
"From a newcomer reading the 'Promises' for the first time: "We will comprehend the word cemetery and we will know peace."
"If God were small enough to understand, He wouldn't be big enough to be God!"
"If you want to quit drinking, you are going to have to quit drinking."
Newcomer: "How do I know how many meetings I should attend each week?"
Old-timer: "Gradually cut back until you drink. Then you'll know."
"If you're looking to have an image in AA, look around at the meetings you go to and take a look at whom you're trying to impress."
"I would rather go through life sober, believing I am an alcoholic, than go through life drunk, trying to convince myself that I am not."
"An alcoholic is a person who wants to be held while he's isolating."
"Resentments are like stray cats: if you don't feed them, they'll go away."
"The difference between a problem drinker and an Alcoholic is that:
A) When the alcohol is taken away from the problem drinker, the problem goes away.
B) When the alcohol is taken away from the Alcoholic, the problem begins."
Sponsee: "When will I get a good job?"
Sponsor: "When you are ready."
Sponsee: "How will I know I am ready?"
Sponsor: "You'll have a good job."
"If I am not the problem, then there is no solution."
"Before I came into AA, I was dead, but I did not know enough to lay down."
"It is the great obsession of every AlAnon, that someday he or she will learn to control and enjoy their drinker."
"I drank when I was happy. I drank when I was unhappy. Actually, I am a reason to drink."
"You don't have to be sick to want to get well. But if you don't want to get well, you ARE sick."
"I can't do His will my way."
"In order to change the way we feel we need to change the way we act."
"There is only one way to coast, and that is down hill."
"The good news is you get your emotions back; The bad news is you get your emotions back."
"All we ask is that you completely change your attitude as soon as possible."
"Don't be a pigeon. If you tie a message to a pigeon's foot and send him to Denver, the guy in Denver will get the message ... but the pigeon won't."
"I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess."
"Without memory, there is no healing. Without forgiveness, there is no future."
----------------------------------------
Change is a gift today not a curse. Thank you God.
¶ 5/12/2002 04:07:00 PM
"Sobriety is the leading cause of relapse."
"A treatment center is where you go and pay $15,000 to find out that AA meetings are free."
"This is a 'One Day at a Time' program. If you are clean and sober today, you are tied for first place in AA"
"If drinking is interfering with your work, you're probably a heavy drinker. If work is interfering with your drinking, you're probably an alcoholic."
"I often obsessively pursue feeling good...no matter how bad it makes me feel."
"When I was new, I didn't think I had any obsessions until I started thinking about it. Then it was all I could think about."
"How come if alcohol kills millions of brain cells, it never killed the ones that made me want to drink?"
"It's not old behavior if I'm still doing it."
"From a newcomer reading the 'Promises' for the first time: "We will comprehend the word cemetery and we will know peace."
"If God were small enough to understand, He wouldn't be big enough to be God!"
"If you want to quit drinking, you are going to have to quit drinking."
Newcomer: "How do I know how many meetings I should attend each week?"
Old-timer: "Gradually cut back until you drink. Then you'll know."
"If you're looking to have an image in AA, look around at the meetings you go to and take a look at whom you're trying to impress."
"I would rather go through life sober, believing I am an alcoholic, than go through life drunk, trying to convince myself that I am not."
"An alcoholic is a person who wants to be held while he's isolating."
"Resentments are like stray cats: if you don't feed them, they'll go away."
"The difference between a problem drinker and an Alcoholic is that:
A) When the alcohol is taken away from the problem drinker, the problem goes away.
B) When the alcohol is taken away from the Alcoholic, the problem begins."
Sponsee: "When will I get a good job?"
Sponsor: "When you are ready."
Sponsee: "How will I know I am ready?"
Sponsor: "You'll have a good job."
"If I am not the problem, then there is no solution."
"Before I came into AA, I was dead, but I did not know enough to lay down."
"It is the great obsession of every AlAnon, that someday he or she will learn to control and enjoy their drinker."
"I drank when I was happy. I drank when I was unhappy. Actually, I am a reason to drink."
"You don't have to be sick to want to get well. But if you don't want to get well, you ARE sick."
"I can't do His will my way."
"In order to change the way we feel we need to change the way we act."
"There is only one way to coast, and that is down hill."
"The good news is you get your emotions back; The bad news is you get your emotions back."
"All we ask is that you completely change your attitude as soon as possible."
"Don't be a pigeon. If you tie a message to a pigeon's foot and send him to Denver, the guy in Denver will get the message ... but the pigeon won't."
"I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess."
"Without memory, there is no healing. Without forgiveness, there is no future."
----------------------------------------
Change is a gift today not a curse. Thank you God.
¶ 5/12/2002 04:07:00 PM
Monday, May 06, 2002
Today's thought is:
"Each morning sees some task begin. Each evening
sees it done. Something attempted, something
done."
--Longfellow
¶ 5/06/2002 06:44:00 AM
"Each morning sees some task begin. Each evening
sees it done. Something attempted, something
done."
--Longfellow
¶ 5/06/2002 06:44:00 AM
Sunday, May 05, 2002
Saturday, May 04, 2002
Friday, May 03, 2002
Want to learn more about hepatitis, hepatitis a, symptoms, jaundice? That's one place.
¶ 5/03/2002 06:25:00 PM
