AA Meetings

I got my one year chip. They had a card for me at AA and the chip is made of real metal.

I opted not to speak... I am so guarded that sometimes I am perhaps my own worst enemy. Some people were not too happy with me.

I have my reasons.

Hold your dominion, as Noddy used to say.

Congratulations on the year of sobriety...But if you don't feel like speaking, just don't. Don't beat yourself up and don't feel guilty, it's your recovery, not everyone else's. I'm not really criticizing the rest of the group, but the temporary disappointment of others won't cause everlasting damage to them....just pace yourself...you will know when you want to share something...

Congratulations on doing the day at a time work.

__

Do you always go to the same meeting or do you mix it up?

the first post in this thread

Hey, you're getting along the road and you've hit a fantastic milestone. Keep at it and doing what you're doing, because it seems to be working!

Before I became a butterfly, I was just a worm... Transformation is the essence of spirituality. TC

My YouTube channel went viral, 6000 video views an hour and steadily climbing, thousands of new subscribers.

I have been working well over 10 years for my videos to go viral, I attribute the success to getting focused and becoming and staying sober.

YouTube was my last chance at success, alcoholism had caused me to burn so many bridges. Had I remained drinking, I most likely would not have created my latest 70 videos that drew in the viewers and I would have probably written some drunken, insulting and outlandish post (like I have done on many occasions before) that would have instead driven people away.

YouTube and people from all over the world are putting big trust in me and it cements the importance of staying sober even more so in my mind.

AA has been the key to unlocking the tightly shut doors to my progress and success as an artist.

I love the people at AA very much and continue to benefit from their wisdom and testimony, "one day at a time".

Sobriety has brought meaning and purpose to my life that was once perpetually empty and barren of support.

I am not sure if it is relief or serenity, but I feel happy and in touch with my subscribers in a deep and personal way.

My heart goes out to each of them and I feel humble but somehow worthy of their love...

Best to you all
TC

I will link to my YouTube page in the future, this is not meant to be a plug for my videos, it is simply a moment of clarity and honesty about my life and its changes associated with sobriety and clean healthy living.

14 months

amazing eh

14 of perhaps the best months of my life.

I try to never underestimate the future, life can always be improved upon and the greatest works can still be yet to come.

Thanks for the lovely comment ehBeth

I did not post a link to my YouTube page here because I did not to detract from the simple message of being and staying sober...

I went to your youtube and subscribed.

Haha, thank you Edgar.

I hope the content is okay with you

I will dip into it a time or two most days. Will comment there.

Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.

Comment:
One night I was at an AA meeting and I like to think deeply about things said and read at meetings.

This above statement hit me, especially the part, about "Sharing our strengths.".

My mind wanted to sort of disagree as is often the case. As I mulled over the idea my thoughts privately traversed back and forth over the matter.

It seemed to me that people at these meetings were actually sharing their weaknesses and the awful stuff they did while drunk and addicted...

One thing after another about how many terrible thing people do when intoxicated from peeing in swimming pools to wanting to take one's own life.

Then several thoughts occurred to me. One thought was that these people are now sober and some have been sober for a long number of years.

Another thing that occurred to me was that they also shared their journey back to wholeness.

Then I thought back to my drinking and drugging days and recalled how I loved to show up at friends houses with as much booze and pot as possible so we would never run out.

I was indeed not sharing my strength but sharing my weakness. (Let that thought sink in a bit.)

It reminds me of republicans today and how they seem to mass produce and share weakness and derision. They are addicted to trash and their obsession seems to know no shame or bounds.

Now when someone asks me if I would like a drink I answer, "No thank you, I don't drink.". I am now sharing my strengths. I am admired and respected because I am an example of sharing strength instead of weakness.

So no, people at AA are generally not sharing their weakness. It may seem that way but rather they are sharing their triumphs, courage and strength.

They share this strength with boldness, honesty, humility and empathy for others, also, it is something worthy of sharing.

I can feel proud that I no longer have only weaknesses to share with those in my life that I love and honor but I have strengths and virtues that I can now share. I am and have something of quality to share.

I am a source of empowerment to others and I may be the very lifeline they need to help them avoid the pitfalls that I once was plagued with.

Peace and love A2Kers!

TC

In my weak moments, I've always told myself and others, "maybe I'll have a drink tomorrow!". One day at a time is the golden rule.........turn a weakness into a strength.

There was a time I felt I couldn't make it without a beer in my hand. It took me three years to quit. These days, I can be in a crowd of drinkers without taking a drop, or, I can drink one or two and then go home. It's no longer an addiction with me.

Good on ya Edgar. I can go to bars and parties, but I don't stay long and I haven't had a drink sine March 14, 1991. Today, I feel the same way - for me. Work what works!

BTW, it took me 25 years to quit; but the day I decided no mo was 3/14/91. I was lucky.

It's good to beat destructive addictions. I feel I added thirty years to my life span when I stopped tobacco and alcohol.

Ditto!

Yes, I think 30 years is the number I am looking at too.

Glad you are around Edgar.