True Humility

[Carol87]

This is on the reverse of the wallet card I mentioned in an earlier post ... something to work towards.
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SEVEN CHARACTERISTICS OF TRUE HUMILITY

1.? The truly humble are always grateful to God.
2.? They are thoughtful of others.
3.? They easily and promptly forgive injuries.
4.? They do more for others than they expect others should do for them.
5.? They are reverential to all, even the most lowly.
6.? They never complain.? They do not stubbornly maintain their rights.
7.? They are gentle in dealing with all.

[lyn]

I am new to this site and attempting to regain sobriety although probably not with the intensity that is needed. I have no doubt that I am an alcoholic and need this program but, the road back is not easy. I have a long, devastating story that I will not bore you with: the fact is that I overcame evrything. i regained integrety, respect and a life that most people dream of. Now , I have been back out for three years and cannot seem to find my way back. I met my husband in AA. He had 10 years sober before I drew him back into a life of drinking and everything that goes along with it.I am not sure what to do next. Meetings are intollerable. Everyone knows me and my husband. We were shining examples of success. I have tried to go back but I have never made it to a meeting sober. I wake up every morining and swear off the drink and the drugs (they are also a part of my story). My husband is a physician and although he will not perscribe for me; I know how to get what I want. I have been as low as you can imagine and now I feel as bad yet I don't have to hang out in the projects for drugs. I am not sure what it will take to "raise my bottom". I do not want to lose everything but, sometimes I think that is the only way to get my attention. I have two young children and I must take care of them. I have an older child that I put through hell. I cannot do that again. I do not know what I am asking for. I just needed to put this in words. My sober friends have abandoned me or are trying to save me. My drunk friends are also abondoning me. I am alone and looking for answers. I know that your words are not a cure but I am desperate for ideas. PLease don't say don't drink and go to meetings. I need something deeper. Something to read or some "zen" or some miracle. Thank you for listening.

[kremjk]

Lyn,

Welcome to AASL.

Can you remember the AA member that you trust the most?
Use the phone and make contact. Ask for a visit or to travel to another group.
The depth you desire is there if you use what you have already learned.
Then, more will be disclosed.
If you care for our prayers, just ask.
Keep in comunication with us please.

jim k

[samf]

Lyn, hi.

Welcome!

Am hoping you will be back.

Used to love this old guy who would say, "You don't have to know anything. You don't have to believe anything. Just keep coming back."

I don't have anything real zen to offer, but I am so glad you are reaching out.

Last time I really had no clue anymore what to do and got to the end of myself, I would just pray, "Help.", in the morning, and "Thank You.", at night.

I was sober, at the time, but was REAL scared.

Sam

[Carol87]

lyn - Welcome! to AASL ...

From your program days ... remember hearing "God Could and Would IF He were sought"?? If you still have your AA literature, something to read would be the Big Book and the 12 and 12, starting with step one.? ?If you have a daily meditation book, another good thing to pick up ... these things work for me.? ?Perhaps call your old sponsor or your central office to find someone to work with one on one.

I' m not sure what you mean by zen or something deeper so I can only share with you what works for me.? Please keep coming back here ... we understand and we care !? ?

[fishdocdon]

Lyn, I know it's terribly hard to get humiliated enough to ask for help, but you know there isn't any zen thing or something deeper. You probably remember what worked in the past.
I can't!!!!
God can !!!!
He will if I let him!!!!

Prayer works and I'll keep you in mine.
GBWU Don

[blossom]

Hi Lyn,

This is such an insideous disease, even with all the knowledge of where drink will take us and the knowledge of how to get sober, it doesn't work. The key thing is the willingness and action and i pray that with reaching out for help here that is happening for you. You mentioned in your post that you didn't know what it would take to raise your bottom? I tend to think that the bottoms don't come up to meet us, we hit bottom when we put down the shovel and stop digging.

And unfortunately, as others have posted, there is no magic miracle or something deeper to getting sober than the very words you don't want to hear (don't pick up a drink & go to a meeting), it's about the action we take. When i went back out drinking after a very short spell in AA, my pride told me that people would think less of me, because i had gone back out, but that wasn't the case - every single person who remembered me was just so pleased that i had actually made it back to the rooms. For me that was a very humbling experience.

You also mentioned in your post that you have sober friends that are trying to save you, well if they are AA people let them help you..While we know they cannot save you, there is nothing wrong in taking there help. This is something that i cannot do alone and i don't think i was ever meant to. That is why i found my into the rooms of AA.

Just try not picking up a drink for the next five minutes, while you are here and reading. Then post how you are feeling and give it another 5 minutes and then post again. Do that all day if thats what it takes, just sat in front of your computer or by telephone if you have any AA contacts and reach out. There is always somebody there with the hand of fellowship (not contempt).

My prayers are with you tonight
Love
Blossom

[WolfM]

Dear friends,
What has worked for me is going to meetings, studying the Big Book, getting (and talking to) a sponsor, and working the steps. I have not had a drink since my last.
I have posted something Zen in the AASL coffee house.