AS A MAN THINKETH
Tonight (ahem) I will be a speaker at the "Three legacies Group" of Alcoholics Anonymous. Two recent-discovered friends honored me by asking me to do this I am serious about the "honored" part. It so happens, this is the week of my Sober Anniversary. Every year for the past four or five, during this week I have been given the privilege to speak...it just "happens" that way. Usually those who ask me to participate do not realize this is my special week.
But I know it. I shall never forget it. Another blogger's post a couple days ago brought me the memory of WHY (bad word) I have not drank for all these years. I had been told to curtail my drinking to one pint of vodka daily. After a number of days, I was told to attend my first meeting of AA. Since I could not go there reeking of vodka (yep, it "smells"!), I had my last drink at midnight, the day before. And I knew, as I was pouring down those last few ounces, I knew that I would never, could never drink again. So that was that! My German grandmother would have said, "Das var dass"
I now know that if I THINK I will never drink again...I will NOT! (If I DO the Steps suggested, I will get better.)
If I think, "Well, I might drink again...only an arm's length, etc.", that leaves me with an out--for the next time life does not deal with me on my terms--grin!.
BOOK
"As A Man Thinketh" by James Allen--yes, I read a book once--grin!--suggests to me that my thoughts can guide, motivate, control, and change me. And I just downloaded his book in .pdf format. I shall ask Flex to help me understand a couple things, and help direct my thinking this moment and the rest of today. Being me, I have to let God in on the act--for I believe that God speaks through all of us, James Allen included.
My "story" tonight will be different from my other speaking occasions, because my life is different, has changed. Growth "happens" now, whether I wish it or not. Perfect? Hell no! But whatever the score for today, it will end sober...for me, and I hope for many of you, my Peeps.
God bless us, everyone!
15 comments:
Think?
Men think?
Oops, sorryyyyyyy, hehehe. I couldn't help myself. It was just lying there, I had to take it. Shame on me. ;-)
Congrats on your anniversary. Would love to hear your story. Go get 'em!
Congratulations on your anniversary Steve. I wonder what the thinker tattoo will look like when the fellow is 80.
I love your German Grandmother! My Swiss Grandma would tell me stories about how she and her 4 sisters would wait for their father to get home and they would all be so noisy he would quietly bellow, "Be Shtill", never having lost his accent! Wonderful day for you. I hope it holds growth and gratitude and giggles.
♥namaste♥
it good to follows one's instincts. but only in certain matters...
Congratulations on your special week! The week where you were born again! I wish I could hear you speak. I want to know everyone's stoy. Perhaps somehow you could share it with me? I enjoy your blog so much. Two weeks ago we were having dinner with friends and of course the question came up if I would ever drink again. I was able to answer with 100% belief in my program and the presence of God: "If I ever thought there was a chance I would drink again I never would have walked through the doors of AA". Blessings to you and remember "Angels danced the day you were born".....
Congrats!!!
Blessings and aloha...
Congratulation. They just keep getting better and better no matter what changes or what life's present situation.
Funny too, that other people seem to get wiser as we stay sober.
Jim
I think ... I only can think and believe it's great you are so lucky you can keepp celebrating your 'never- again-since'...
Warm hugs to my FL peep!
:)
I'm so glad you got sober all those years ago so you could blog about it with us today.
Here's a prayer for speaking engagements (I stole it from someone else):
Lord, fill my mouth with worthwhile stuff and nudge me when I've said enough.
If the fellow in the picture is a drinker AND a thinker, his tattoo man might stretch his legs out over the years to come. Chuckle
Gut feelings are hard to follow sometimes. Thanks Stevie for your encouragement on my blog as well.
Fireblossom...you win THIS one, Babe! But now, I owe you--grin!
Chicago Greg...story of mine is same as your and everyone's...mostly the problems were/are in my head. On Thursday I'll put up some of it...
SYD, it will look like a LOTTA THINKIN'...Anniv is Thursday, but thanks!
Kim A. This day DID hold growth, gratitude, AND giggles. Thanks!!!
Speaking before the group was actually FUNN! And FUN-NY!
Shandow, GooooD advice, which I NEVER hear enough of. Something wrong with my EARS?
drybottomgirl: Yep, SOME of us "just KNOW"--It is definitely a "God" thing. If we do not know...why GO? As you with more eloquence stated.
Ed G. Thanks! But Thursday is my day...I LOVE Springtime.
Turning Point...yep, glad to be with you, anothet long-timer. And right, Peeps are getting more tolerant and patient. As long as *I* do!
Dulce: It would be difficult to have a better day! And anniv is not until Thursday. Thanks for "thinking".
Enchanted Oak--my father said many times: "Speeches are like visits from relatives--short and sweet is hard to beat." (He was a great speaker--and chairman--at the deaf-blind club.
Garnet...damn it! I'M supposed to tell the jokes, LOL! Love your blog, and our connection here.
JBR: I believe God DOES whisper in the wind...just listen--Shhhhhh!
:) Think think think... Do you suppose they put that sign up there becuase they KNEW that we would ... and KNEW in a room full of them it would eventually short circuit into "Oh I gotta do something else this thinking thing is killin me, and I cant drink cause that's killin' me too, so now what?" LOL
The answer's in the room, I know that. Just gotta wait for the question to be asked...
I hope :)
Post a Comment