The Step (One!) is a gift from my daughter the firefighter, she made it just for me. It weighs about 60 pounds.
What I'm wondering is.........would this photo have
qualified for "hAAlf nAAked Thursday"?
OPINION
Our Alcoholics Anonymous 'Big Book' (which originally WAS a big book, because it was printed on cheap, thick paper) contains early in the introductory pages, a chapter titled THE DOCTOR'S OPINION. Without going into the merits of this entry by the wonderful doctor friend of AA, I wish to single out a small phrase, which took me a number of years to understand. Sure, foggy brain was partly the problem, but I have since thought the doctor might have edited or added a couple words. You may see what I mean.
Six words found in 3rd Edition at bottom of p. xxvi, and in Fourth Edition at bottom of p. xxviii. The words are: "They are restless, irritable, and discontented..." For at least twenty years I thought I 'knew' this was a reference to the drinking alcoholic--the sick drunk--always "restless, irritable, and discontent".
In fairness to the doctor, the words, in context, read: "They are restless, irritable, and discontented, unless they can again experience the sense of ease and comfort which comes at once by taking a few drinks..." (I believed he could well have inserted just before the quote, "When not drinking--they are restless, etc....")
I also knew that I had NOT been "restless, irritable, and discontent", until I stopped drinking! THEN it happened. My life came apart at the seams. Days and nights became long hours of total chaos in our home, at my workplace (I was a bartender!), and in the daily business of living. I became reclusive, fearful and totally paranoiac.
(You who 'followed me' all around my daily activities, must recall how I'd duck behind vehicles, and double back my route, causing me to spend lots of wheel-spinning time. Many activities took me twice the time they should have, due to "making myself invisible"-type antics.)
In reality--to me--my problems began when I stopped drinking and drugging. That's funny, when you'd know the common mentality is that drunk alcoholics are almost always in trouble. Well, maybe that's true, but when I was drunk...did I care? Ha! Nope.
But when I sobered up, there was no more running away from the problems, they were like the beat of the feet in the Hound of Heaven.
And for the rest of my life, I am honored to follow the AA program for living, a way of life in which I anticipate with true JOY what God might have in store for me tomorrow. Can't wait!
Let's all have a New Year's Eve full of HOPE, and let's all stay sober, OK? "I mean that now, people!" HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Love and {{{hugs}}} to all you wonderful bloggers, especially pg
Who published this, and when???
22 comments:
It's time for me to laugh a little. When people shorten my name from Prayer Girl to PG, it always reminds me of when I was in High School and people would (whisper) "that girl is pg"! In those days, one didn't talk about being pregnant. And also, it was whispered even more quietly if the pg gal was unmarried.
Life sure is different today.
Love and hugs right back at ya.
i definately agree with the ""restless, irritable, and discontent", until I stopped drinking!" part. like you, i didn't care when i was drinking. that was and is a big hurdle. i still face it now and again.
thank you for your advice and friendship this past year. may you have the bestest new year dear steve!
LOL to prayer girl's comment. Thanks for the laugh so early in the mornin'.
Steveroni, you have a wonderful (sober) New Year! :)
Quite right Steveroni. I only became restless, irritable and discontented AFTER I stopped drinking. And I still can be today. Drink washed away all the feelings of responsibility, acceptance, empathy and replaced them with self. Now I no longer drink, self is still there but also sense of responsability, accountability and acceptance. It;s much harder to live without drink, but much more rewarding.
Alcohol wasn't my problem, it was my solution - and THAT was my problem.
My life totally fell apart when I quit drinking. Booze and guilt were the glue that held it together previously. Now it is rearranged and faith, service, and prayer hold it together.
Happy New Year.
Yeah, and I went to a new meeting yeterday where the speaker was talking about steps 1-3 and he said that the doctor spoke directly about an alcoholic needing a "psychic change" (xxvii I think) three paragraphs in a row! Now I've read this book over and over, and do you know that's the first time I ever saw that?! When did someone go in and change my book, cause it couldn't be that my head and understanding is expanding?! :oP :)
Happy New Year!!!
From the girl who is getting a much needed psychic change (and kick in the keester from God and through the fellowship!!!
Happy New Coming Year, 'Oroni...
I am so blessed by the addition of all you guys into my world.
God's got a deal for drunks that don't drink!
R-I-D....ah, yes.....
I think I was restless, irritable and discontent when I was drinking and when I stopped drinking. It's better now, at least I don't feel that way all the time now.
Great post as usual Steve. Thank God today when I get restless, irritable, and discontent, I do not have to pick up a drink. It is wonderful to have choices today. Amazing how we can read that book over and over and things still jump out at us that we need to hear on any given day! Happy New year-a-roni!
Hiya Steve. A Happy New Year to you and Prayer Girl.
Steveroni, I really like the gift. Yep, Haalf Naaked Thursdaay was always great. Lots of feet photos, many with MC's pink toenails. Glad that your days of restless, irritable and discontented thoughts are few. Have a Happy New Year's Eve.
Happy New Year!!!!
I would like to be rid of R.I.D. myself and the only sober way I have found is prayer and meetings. They seem to provide a more desirable hangover.
Happy and sober New Year to all
Fishstyx
Happy New Year to you and Prayer Girl and thank you for this most hopeful post as are most of your posts so insightful, wonderful and full of life, light and love. I wish you all he best and with you await with hope in my heart and a belief in AA in my spirit.
Love, G
Thank you for your kind words. I hope to be blogging more - we'll see. Wishing you a safe, healthy, sober, and happy 2009.
JJ
(The Alky from Massachuetts)
Love the step..and the picture might have made it but you would have had to paint your toes...xo and Happy New Year!
Another good post from the "roni". Another round of laughter. You are still tending bar but what you serve up now is love and laughter.
THANX. HAPPY NEW YEAR.
aaah, my crazy steveroni!!! what's not to like about sleep i say, grin....
thursday 13 happens on a.... wait for it.... thursday. and you pick a subject and list 13 things about it. simple. easy. fun. there you go, my first helpful deed of the year.
Thursday 13...hey, what a DUH! on my part...THANK YOU SHADOWY SHADOW for "enlightenment of the first day of....WHAT year is it again???
S.
What a beautiful gift from your daughter.
:)
Hey Steve
You know you are on to something here. I have read and read this post. On target....I also reaed a little on the post by Prayer Girl and together I think there is a plan here for this year.
Life without booze as medication.... could also use a little smooth sailing.....
Smooth sailing Steve
Hugs
Your new friend
Linda
Your daughter is lovely .So beautiful gift .I am proud of you, Steve.You are a nice and kind peep that's why Allah (God) help you .
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