Texts 2017.03.30 thru 09.29
A.A.
Anonymous People - movie
Chris Herren - Unguarded
Newcomer women: get them after they stop shaking and before they get a sponsor.
No Single Fact Can be Considered in isolation.
Everything hangs together.
The secret to change is to focus all your energy, not on fighting the old, but building the new. -Socrates
Alcohol ruined me financially and morally, broke my heart and the hearts of too many others. Even though it did this to me & nearly killed me, I have not had to drink in over three years now...I sometimes think and wonder if I could get away with having a drink or two and be OK somehow. I subscribe to the notion alcoholism is a mental illness, because thinking in this manner is clearly insane. 2017.03.30
W.A.I.T.=Why Am I Talking?
If there is no solution in your sharing, through strength, experience and hope... then why are you talking? Sharing every single meeting is for those who love the sound of their own voices and are sharing just for themselves. There are old timers who think they NEED to share every meeting. Not true at all... just because you have time, does not qualify you to speak on every little subject. Yes, you may be sober. You... do not necessarily have solution. Most times you sound like a self righteous blow hard. 2017.Apr.15
I have come to realize the only way to avoid falling into old behaviors is to live my life openly & honestly. I must be true to my past, to others and most importantly... myself. 2017.May.07
It is because people are vain and self centered, by human nature, that they must believe in a higher power. Some people need to believe there is a purpose, a reason for their life... And that some divine, higher power loves them and takes care of them. That is because their mommy does not and they need some sort of security blanket to let them think everything is gonna be alright. It is a farce...a ploy...a gambit. And, no one is able to prove... nor disprove... the existence of GOD... or a higher power. I choose to believe in people, regardless of their beliefs, to find my inner peace. I choose MYSELF. Because even if there is a god, and I know there is not, I still have to do all the work on my own. God is just a "safe" substitute for the drug of your choice... another addiction.
2017.May.11
Humility is not thinking less of yourself...It is thinking of yourself less... 2017.May.11
Getting in a hurry is a great way to stumble in your program. 2017.May.12
Learning to live means learning to keep ourselves in the present. This day is all we really have to work with. Of course, today will be influenced by what has already happened; and it's influence will extend into tomorrow, next week and beyond. We all can make do with what lies here, within this window of space and time. May my supper be contentment. I will breakfast on hope again tomorrow. 2017.May.15
The greatest enemies of us alcoholics are resentment, jealousy, envy, frustration sms fear (pg145). The tools I use to quell these enemies are meetings, the book, steps and the fellowship. 2017.May.22
Remember... what may be an acceptable compromise for one, might not be acceptable for you. Know your limits...Know your values... And, be aware of the dangers which could come from compromising either. 2017.May.27
In the rooms of A.A., it has been said, "We are only as sick as the secrets we keep." Every secret we tell someone affords us a new opportunity for growth. Sharing experiences relieves us of our shame and invites the forgiveness we must allow ourselves. Never can we be fully at peace with secrets left untold. 2017.06.02
Fear and despair bring out the Devine in humans. We are taught otherwise, but divinity can only be recognized in the heart and mind. The universe in all its astronomical darkness and multitude, can never be defined by anything other than the observer. Therefore, only the observer can make it Devine. Despite overwhelming odds, it is in human nature to survive. Survive no matter what perils life throws at us. In humanity is divinity.
-Jonny A. 2017.06.06
Be brave even if you are not, just pretend...no one can tell the difference.
The quieter you become, the more you hear.
There is no battle greater than the one fought between our own ears. We win or lose depending on our own perception of our own decisions. 2017.06.19 Jonny A.
Keeping it simple is far easier said than done. The most important thing sometimes is the thing most easily forgotten sometimes. 2017.06.21
Jonny A.
Always try things you are incapable of. More oft than not, you find it was all in your head.
2017.06.21 Jonny A.
The person who never made a mistake...never made anything at all. 2017.06.21
Every day is a chance to change my life. I stay motivated & true to the course. I AM sober today. And, that just may be enough. 2017.07.11
Sobriety is an integral part of both my growth and enjoyment of life. If I stay sober, one day at a time, I can guarantee a certain amount of growth and the possibility of a joyous life. 2017.07.12
There is a whole heap of "real estate" between my ears. The only paradise I'm concerned with is that which is found within that acreage and the serenity in my heart.
2017.07.12
"In all our affairs." If you want to make others happy, practice compassion... If you want to be happy, practice compassion. 2017.07.13
My happiness in life depends upon these basic essentials: something to do, something to love and something to hope for. 2017.07.15
Everything we learn... enhances our life. As we learn humility...we also learn not to accept pain from others. Other people's actions do not hurt us unless we choose to allow them. 2017.07.17
Giving instills compassion, love and empathy...all of which lead to gratitude and humility. Love you friend. Terrific Tuesday To Thee
2017.07.18
Every experience we have involves others who may also need what those experiences may teach. To truly heal from pain, you must have someone to help you alleviate the burdens of the hurt. To receive the full value of joy and happiness, you must have someone else to divide and share it with. 2017.07.20
Today...
I'll look beyond the faults of others and concentrate on recognizing my own. 2017.07.21
Sometimes The most useful lessons are the ones not understood as presented. Any situation I am involved in today is a guaranteed offer for growth. I just have to recognize it. 2017.07.25
In humans, criticism is second nature... especially on ourselves. Most of us are unsatisfied with anything not approaching perfection... doing us a grave injustice. So I can either be self critical or self appreciative. MY choice determines the outcome of my day. I choose to be happy. 2017.08.01
The sun is up. I'm willing and able. I have a smile on my face and in my heart. Today will be an awesome day. 2017.08.01
We give a piece of ourselves w/every friendship we choose to nurture. Giving more than you take...assures you come out ahead, always. 2017.08.02
If it is my choice... And I choose to believe there is NO god... By definition: How could I be wrong?
2017.08.14
A fit, healthy body with a good heart must be twice as beneficial then. And, a good amount of self cherishing, not conceit and utter adoration, is good for a healthy mind and heart. 2017.08.28
There is no better cure for the blues than a friend like you. Well... grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup work pretty good too, but you are the best. 2017.09.11
It's the program keeping me focused, but it's my friends who help me walk like a man again. It's the combination of both that make me happy, joyous and free. 2017.09.11
Happiness is an emotion vast and wide as the ocean. And, as such, it depends upon the tides of your mind. 2o17.09.12
Atonement requires more than simple apologies. It also requires gratitude, sincerity and love.
2017.09.18
We are asked daily to make our contribution to this thing we call life. No one is without capability. Whether it's humor, settling dispute, reading to a friend or even cutting a child's hair... our talents define us. They affirm we count. I...Am willing to participate fully in the life around me today... Are you? 2017.09.19
Your gratefulness needs to escape somewhere from your body... your smile is that escape. 2017.09.20
Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose.
Lyndon B. Johnson
Don't look for the standard to follow. Become the the one people admire and want to learn from. 2017.09.21
Sobriety is a challenge. It challenges you to be the best person you can be everyday.... for everyone around you and especially yourself. These challenges make you grateful, hence, solidifying your serenity. 2017.09.22
Why is the belief in god and/or higher power in the program of alcoholics anonymous and all other 12 step programs? It is my belief Bill W. and the others who penned the big book, whether they truly believed or not, needed a scapegoat. "Gave their will to god" and "thy will be done" are common amongst AAers. This allows people to not be accountable to themselves. When they go out again they can say, "I guess it was God's plan" or "it wasn't my time yet" etc, etc, etc... I am accountable to myself first and to the fellowship second. If I do not do the work, I am not able to help myself, let alone, the next alcoholic. I admitted my addiction was the result of choices I made in the past and I could make better ones today and tomorrow. I understand the only thing in this world I can control is my actions and reactions. I do not need a scapegoat or anyone to lay blame on. I hold myself accountable and take responsibility. I do not allow my ego to obstruct progress and am willing to take constructive feedback... in order to become a better person. 2017.09.25
The trick is...
Combine your waking rational abilities...
With the Infinite Possibilities of your Dreams...
If you can do that...
You can do anything....
Watch your thoughts for they become words,
Watch your words for they become your actions,
Watch your actions for they become habits,
Watch your habits for they
become your character,
Watch your character for it becomes your DESTINY.... 2017.09.20
I'm very happy it is working for you. And hope it continues. I'm not trying to convert anyone here... Unlike what every traditional A.A. person tries to do to me and other athiest alcoholics. Fact of the matter is, I've actually never met a single Athiest Alcoholic that has gone out after honestly working the steps, as an athiest and not trying to be something they can never be. All I know for sure is...
A person can stay sober with a higher power, a person can stay sober without a higher power... But a person cannot stay sober if he is trying to be the higher power.
2017.09.26
What you see in the heart of others may be pure or ugly. What you turn it into is all that matters. Don't be a victim of what you see. Be the person YOU want to be.
2017. 09. 29.
Texts 2017.10.01 thru 10.31
A moment of reflection and a deep breath may keep me from abusing the liberties of others. Not all things need to be said aloud. 2017.10.06
When we come to understand life is sacred... We will KNOW Love... We will know our family, friends, nature, even or enemies... But most of all... We will know ourselves. We will know peace and serenity and a oneness with the universe. So look around... Find what makes you happy and hold on to it. 2017.10.13
don't let your imagination run wild all the time...
realize what is real and what is not...
because if you don't, reality will bite you in the ass. 2017.10.14
I have to consciously think about the 6th & 7th Steps in order to get out of my own way... In order to not let my ego take over my day. This allows me to take constructive and honest criticism and put it to good use in my life/program. 2017.10.22
If you do not get what you want, it is a sign...either you did not seriously want it, or you attempted to haggle over the price. 2017.10.24
A little knowledge opens many doors. Regurgitation of information is not knowledge. Knowledge is taking the information you have obtained and being able to put it to use by making it your own.
2017.10.24
There is no greater roadblock or impediment to bring in good terms with others than being in bad terms with yourself. Help yourself first to be able to be of service to others. 2017.10.31
What you perceive is only how you see things. How you interpret and use those perceptive is what eventually becomes your beliefs. 2017.10.31
