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blossom
12-11-2006, 06:47 PM
"There is a solution. Almost none of us liked the self-searching, the leveling of our pride, the confession of shortcomings which the process requires for its successful consummation. But we saw that it really worked in others, and we had come to belive in the hopelessness and futility of life as we had been living it. When, therefore, we were approached by those in whom the problem had been solved, there was nothing left for us but to pick up the simple kit of spiritual tools laid at our feet. We have found much of heaven and we have been rocketed into the fourth dimensionof existence of which we had not even dreamed.
? The great fact is just this, and nothing less: That we have had deep and effective spiritual experiences* which have revolutionized our whole attitude toward life, toward our fellows and toward God's universe. The central fact of our lives today is the absolute certainty that our Creator has entered into our hearts and lives in a way which is indeed miraculous. He has commenced to accomplish those things for us which we could never do by ourselves"

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?Page 25 of Alcoholics Anonymous.

This is one of my favourite passages from the big book, this certainly describes what has happened to me in recovery. When i first came to the fellowship and heard other people talk of how they had worked the steps and the result that had happened, i remember being amazed but at the same time skeptical that it would work for me. Yet i did have faith in the people in the rooms and of what they spoke. And its true that to me the things that AA and God asked me to do, seemed like a tall order and hard work, but in reality working the steps has turned out to be an amazing journey, that i would have never of taken alone. Along the way i have learnt about all the tools in my spiritual kit and by doing this work i have had a spiritual experience, and shown a new way of life that i never thought or knew could be in my reach. I feel God in my daily life, inside, which i am grateful for and don't take for granted. And today i know that i am no longer lost and alone.

Love
Blossom

WolfM
12-11-2006, 11:51 PM
Dear Blossom,

Great topic. I have a different perspective on this in that many people (alcoholic or no) who talk to me about my recovery, want to know what they can do to stop (or get someone else to realize they have a problem). I tell them that there is a solution, but in order to need a solution, you have to have a problem to solve. If someone does not have a problem, they do not need a solution.
It is only when we take that first step, admitting powerlessness and unmanageablity, that we seek a solution. But each person must make that decision on their own. We can coax, cajole, suggest, and try to raise someone's bottom, but we can not take the first step for them. This is a step everyone must make alone. This does not suggest that we can not be on the other side of that great chasm, hands outstretched, to help them once they have made that step. But the first step is theirs and theirs alone.
Anyone, that is my opinion.

WolfM

fishdocdon
12-12-2006, 10:21 AM
Wolf, I think your reply is right on and I'm sure Blossom will agree with it. Iv'e spent too many hours coaxing and cajoling and pushing and suggesting ,etc. untill I admitted MY OWN POWERLESSNESS to change them. When one can admit that there is a problem in his life and that he needs help I will really try to do all that I can to help. Until then , It's god's problem. GBWU Don

samf
12-12-2006, 11:12 AM
Blossom, thank you.

Got to say how amazing it all still is. Had been sober a while when my husband passed away.

Thank God when we had had had discussions together about one of us passing, he would always say, "You know what to do."

I had been doing online forums but hadn't been to a meeting for a while, f2f.

The pain I was feeling drove me back to f2f meetings...that, and what he had said.

So you hold on, try to live this stuff out, and keep walking...for me.

I didn't feel like I'd been rocketed into a fourth dimension, this time, but for sure gave me the tools and strength and grace to keep stepping.

Funny, we were just sharing at a meeting how everyone is so scared of the steps, but how like step one, for an alcoholic, is just the truth. But it takes so long sometimes to know that in our heart....and think, personally, part of the baffling feature is the capacity to forget that, too.

I had to get beat up pretty bad to see it, at all.

Were also talking last night about step four and how once you get it out there, there's a pattern...you can see it...and how amazing the relief is, as you go through five...I always think about that statement "shoes that fit", too.

That's how it felt.

Am rambling!

Sam

blossom
12-19-2006, 08:24 AM
Hi Sam,

I've not really had a chance to logon properley for a few days (xmas-busy,busy,busy), but ireally wanted to thank you for your post and your kind, kind words!

The day that i read your post, was a day that i truly needed to hear those words. They were loving, comforting and inspiring to remind me to keep walking, even when i feel tired. I am a very blessed person today, to have so many other caring people in fellowship in my life. Thankyou again and hope you are having a blessed day too.

Wishing you a very peaceful and happy christmas!
Love
Blossom

samf
12-20-2006, 11:40 AM
Blossom, hi!

LOL...busy, busy, busy! ;D

No kidding!

Just reread your first post on this thread...lost and alone fit my feelings so much! (Still do, when I'm having a tough time, sometimes!) Thank you for saying how I felt!

I have also been blessed, so much!

Merry, merry Christmas!

Love and BIG hugs! ;D

Sam