Ready Or Not...here I Come....

[Margee]

Margee, you're the best.  Have fun and be yourself. With that you can't lose. If you find a higher power please share it with us. I'd like nothing more than to believe in that.   bill

 

 

Bill, I think we ourselves are our 'higher power'. When we use our minds the right way, I think we have the ability to create whatever we want...and that also includes 'bad' (whatever that is to each individual)...so we are very powerful people because we have the ability to make any choices we want. We just need to be careful how we use this power of the brain. If there is any type of higher power that made the universe, 'it' made us to evolve conscious brains and I believe we are supposed to direct positive energy to this depressing earth. It's an ole' cliche but I think it boils down to loving as much as we can.Those are my thoughts tonight as I encouraged another person tonight at an AA meeting. This person is going home tonight and feels hope. That's all any of us want . Hope is what keeps us hanging on.

 

I think you're the best also. You'r posts always lift me up.

 

*hug* to you Bill.

[R. S. Martin]

Margee, I am glad you liked my revised Serenity Prayer.

 

 

Margee, you're the best.  Have fun and be yourself. With that you can't lose. If you find a higher power please share it with us. I'd like nothing more than to believe in that.   bill

 

May I share a few thoughts? I came across something called Emotions Anonymous. It's modelled on AA but it's something I can identify with. What I'm referring to comes from The Twelve Promises of Emotions Anonymous at http://www.emotionsanonymous.org/Promises.html. 

 

The twelfth promise says: We realize that God is doing for us what we could not do ourselves. 

 

Some thoughts in response: If there is something “bigger than myself” that I trust from time to time, it is time itself and/or life. Time has proven to heal wounds and life teaches via experience. However, I feel uncomfortable directing expressions of devotion and worship toward concepts like time and life in the way one normally does toward God.

 

 

 

Margee, you're the best.  Have fun and be yourself. With that you can't lose. If you find a higher power please share it with us. I'd like nothing more than to believe in that.   bill

 

 

Bill, I think we ourselves are our 'higher power'. When we use our minds the right way, I think we have the ability to create whatever we want...and that also includes 'bad' (whatever that is to each individual)...so we are very powerful people because we have the ability to make any choices we want. We just need to be careful how we use this power of the brain. If there is any type of higher power that made the universe, 'it' made us to evolve conscious brains and I believe we are supposed to direct positive energy to this depressing earth. It's an ole' cliche but I think it boils down to loving as much as we can.Those are my thoughts tonight as I encouraged another person tonight at an AA meeting. This person is going home tonight and feels hope. That's all any of us want . Hope is what keeps us hanging on.

 

I think you're the best also. You'r posts always lift me up.

 

*hug* to you Bill.

 

 

Yes, hope or love might be others. They are powerful motivators or strengtheners, but not "parents figures" like the theistic God who "carries burdens and answers prayers" (according to the doctrines). 

 

My first response to Promise 12 was: I have learned very specifically that God does not do for me what I don’t do for myself. It is because God failed to deliver on the peace he promised to those who obey his command that I deconverted—at least, that is a major supporting factor. Once I concluded that God does not figure in the equation, I found the peace of mind and serenity I had been seeking all my life.

 

It was only as I worked with it that I got the other insights, as stated.

 

I hope this helps, Bill.

[Sophrosyne]

 

I'm not familiar with AA but looked up the Serenity Prayer. I adapted it from here http://www.cptryon.org/prayer/special/serenity.html for a secular view as follows:

 

I seek the serenity 

to accept the things I cannot change; 

courage to change the things I can;

and the wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time; 

Enjoying one moment at a time; 

Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; 

Taking the good and bad as it is,

not as I would have it; 

Trusting that all things will work out right

as I seek only to win the battle of this present moment,

and then the next,

Adding up to a victorious life

That I may be happy with my family and loved ones. -modelled on Reinhold Niebuhr's Serenity Prayer 

 

This comes from the same link: I adapted it for secular purposes:

 

Trust in the process with all your heart

and try not to control the situation;

in all your ways acknowledge your vulnerabilities,

and direct your path to embrace your strengths.

modelled on Proverbs 3, 5-6

 

For interested parties, I found a blog by The Serene Atheist who made up his own Secular Serenity Prayer at http://sereneatheist.blogspot.ca/2009/10/secular-serenity-prayer.html

 

DISCLAIMER: I have no experience with alcoholism or other addictions so I put this forward only as suggestion by one who loves to work with words.

 

 

Ooh, nice. Thanks for sharing!

[Sophrosyne]

Is there anything nobler and in the end better than being kind and helping people?

 

Margee, you go dance and love the people you want to be with. Warts and all, we are all just human and we are all in this together.

 

<<big hug>>

 

Agreed. =) We're all just human

I hope the best for you, Margee. It's nice that you feel like getting involved in social activities again, sounds like they brighten your day

[amateur]

WOOT WOOT!  Way to go, Margee!  Get out and dance and have fun!  As enjoyable as ex-c is, it's so much more fun to be with real people in person, isn't it?  Get out there and let yourself shine!

 

Margee, you show the most wonderful Highest Power there is, coming right from your heart.  You have so much to share with others, they will be lucky to meet you at the meetings.

 

And we're lucky to have you here.

 

Lots of love and hugs!

[Guest MadameX]

Margeeeeee - I thought of you when I came across this:

 

http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/03/the-surprising-failures-of-12-steps/284616/

 

 

The Surprising Failures of 12 Steps

How a pseudoscientific, religious organization birthed the most trusted method of addiction treatment

 

“Peer reviewed studies peg the success rate of AA somewhere between five and 10 percent,” writes Dodes. “About one of every 15 people who enter these programs is able to become and stay sober.”

[TheRedneckProfessor]

 

“Peer reviewed studies peg the success rate of AA somewhere between five and 10 percent,” writes Dodes. “About one of every 15 people who enter these programs is able to become and stay sober.”

 

It works if you work it.

[RipVanWinkle]

One thing to keep in mind about AA. There are thousands of chapters, if that's what they are called. I went to a number of different chapters and came to the conclusion that AA is only as good as the individual chapter you attend. After all, those who attend are just people. Some are insightful and others aren't. What you get is a matter luck, good or bad. But the one Margee goes to has hit the jackpot,

 

I too think the higher power can be viewed as our own brain power. And I think that there are different answers  for different

people. So, as they say, " It works if you work it". Good luck Margee.   bill

[Margee]

 But the one Margee goes to has hit the jackpot,

 

I too think the higher power can be viewed as our own brain power. And I think that there are different answers  for different

people. So, as they say, " It works if you work it". Good luck Margee.   bill

Bill, you have been so kind to me from the minute you joined this board. Thank you so much my friend. I don't have the energy left to fight the organizations and all their rules. The thing that helped me straighten up in my 30's was love from these people. People who get in trouble with drinking or drugs are some of the nicest, kindest people in the world that do not know how to handle stress. Most of them don't feel 'good enough'. They've had many successes and failures when they arrive in the rooms of AA. I've met some of the most intelligent people in the rooms of AA. Most people think they are losers. Not so. I've met lawyers, doctors, nurses, secretaries, and most of them are brilliant people. A lot of them are well off financially and  some have lost everything. All we do is show them that it is never too late to start over. We say in AA, 'We'll love you until you learn how to love yourself again''. Love is big. Nothing heals like love. Giving people hope is number 2 on my list.

 

You say you've been to the meetings? Did you also go through a spell of drinking Bill? (if you don't mind me asking) You told me you were a lawyer at one time? Did your work overwhelm you? I hope you don't mind me asking hon.

 

*hug*

[Margee]

 

Margeeeeee - I thought of you when I came across this:

 

http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/03/the-surprising-failures-of-12-steps/284616/

 

 

The Surprising Failures of 12 Steps

How a pseudoscientific, religious organization birthed the most trusted method of addiction treatment

 

“Peer reviewed studies peg the success rate of AA somewhere between five and 10 percent,” writes Dodes. “About one of every 15 people who enter these programs is able to become and stay sober.”

 

 

Madame, When I first joined EX-c, I also studied the 'program' of AA. That's when I stopped going. I looked at all the negative and forgot the positive of the program. It's kind of like the same thing with church....there is positive in belonging to a  church community even if it teaches bullshit. I still think the thing that works the most is just being there for each other. I need to keep my eyes focused on the positives because I want to have a social life again. These guys have a lot of activities. We used to go bowling, hiking, swimming, bar-b-ques in the summer, dances and it's a great way for us to relieve a little stress from life. We get the newcomers involved right away. We are always meeting up for coffee and talks. I have missed all that.

 

I am going away in 2 weeks with 4 other people from the 'program' and we will have the time of our lives. It will be non-stop laughing.They are crazy fun and we have so much in common. (besides my unbelief) you can't get people who are more fun than x-drinkers and druggers. They will start each day with a prayer where we all join hands and ask for god's guidance for the day. They are not fundamentalists so I can be quite comfortable in their presence. They are just people who believe in god but don't preach it. They try to understand my non-belief but they don't. They think I'm mad at god. Lol  We stay off the subject and I really appreciate that they make this attempt. When I first told them, they were shocked because they knew about all the years I spent in the church. They completely believe in the 12 steps and I do not 'buck' that at all. When we have conversations, I just sit and listen and don't make any comments one way or another.

 

These are some of the benefits of that 'programn'. I want a social life again. I want to just go and give people hope. That's my aim.

 

*hug*

[Aggie]

Margee, I agree.  Go for it!

I attend a Unitarian Universalist fellowship sometimes which I like.  Opportunities for service, no dogmas or required beliefs (except perhaps some sort of humanism), many agnostics and atheists, and plenty of nice folks in general.  Not for everyone, but I think that they preserve some of the good things about church (service, fellowship, social events, etc) while jettisoning the junk...

[NeverAgainV]

Margee, I agree.  Go for it!

I attend a Unitarian Universalist fellowship sometimes which I like.  Opportunities for service, no dogmas or required beliefs (except perhaps some sort of humanism), many agnostics and atheists, and plenty of nice folks in general.  Not for everyone, but I think that they preserve some of the good things about church (service, fellowship, social events, etc) while jettisoning the junk...

I go to my local Ethical Humanist Society now and then. I do miss the community that church provides...but not the ugly dogma! Yuck!

[RipVanWinkle]

Margee: 

 

I was charged with DUI Baton Rouge, La. while I was there on business. I went to a casino and got drunk and got caught on the way back to my motel. Who wants to go to trial on a DUI in Louisiana? Not I. I did a pretrial diversion which among other things

required me to attend AA for several months. But I did drink too much for a number of years, although I refused to admit I was an alcoholic?  I'm a stubborn cuss. It''s sort of a rite of passage at AA. Can you imagine going to AA meetings each week and refusing to admit I was an alcoholic?  When I had my second pacemaker put in my wife talked to the cardiologist about my drinking. He read me the riot act and I quit. Truth is, the main reason I quit was because I finally realized how much it was hurting my wife. It's been about 21/2 years now. No problem so far. But , frankly, AA didn't have anything to do with my stopping. Whether I'm an alcoholic is something that I don't really know or care to know. It's a pretty vague word, I think. Truth is I enjoyed it and if it weren't for my wife I probably would go back to it. But i would never put her through that again.

 

I also don't know if the job stress which, was considerable, was the main reason. I'm sure it didn't help. It was as escape, pure and simple.   bill

[Margee]

Bill, thank you for sharing personal details of your life. And you are soooo right about 'name-tagging yourself. It dosen't matter how much one drinks alcohol, it's more about how it is affecting one's life. I would love to drink again and i always say, I'm gonna go on one last drunk before I leave this earth!! i totally understand why people drink and I do not mind being around anyone who drinks. No one. It does not bother me in the least. If one is not hurting someone or causing a lot of chaos..I say go ahead and party on!! I choose not to drink today because I created a lot of chaos and I do not want to do that again!! I'm actually kinda proud to be a non-drinker. It's one of the 'demons I was able to conquer and i have a very addictive type of personality, so I'm kinda proud of myself.

 

You're a great person Bill. Thanks again for sharing such a personal part of you. *hug*

[RipVanWinkle]

"You're a great person Bill."  Margee

 

That's what I keep telling my wife, to no avail. But thank you for that, no kidding.  bill

[wanderinstar]

You are such a beautiful person Margee and you have encouraged and supported me countless times. I just wanted to say thankyou and I am sorry to hear you have been through such a tough, lonely time. It sounds like reconnecting with your AA friends will be good for you. I hope you have a blast on your holiday with them.

[Guest btallnight]

Margee,

 

3 years you say?  "thin[k]s that make you go hmmm...".

 

Trill:

 

Beyonce, "Halo":

 

 

Dedication:

 

"DMIT ":

 

 

Ravenstar, I owed You an easy answer to a trying question.  I suggest You follow the link in the info section of the just above, and then follow me (Pt-Ir_parsec) to the "started from the bottom now we here".  Then, "whoop ass, let security carry 'em out."?

 

Bless the Angelic Admin!  <fckn Paypal>

 

and Grace be with You All.

 

How am I doing?

 

Grace.

 

Really, I just wanted this one post (which is already running longer than I said it would be): invitations.  Please don't hold it against me if I clam up now.

 

Love,

Harmoniversally Yours,

Don't peek unless you Go in through "the gate" first!  But:

consider No 2014.pdf

[truthseeker4]

you certainly helped me Margee. Go get your happiness!

[Guest btallnight]

Excuse me,

 

I know more than anyone how much I had my heart set on just the one post, but I am Obliged to say one more thing.  I just learned it, and like the biblical watcher on the wall, I can only acquit myself of any of yall's refusal to hearken, by issuing a warning.  What I learned is this:

 

The "Ruler of the Air" as a law, which is not evil, but nitpickingly wise: only one password-protected account open at a time.  I suggest you get right your passwords and surfing habits while there is time.

 

/r/Christianity/comments/22yz3q/urgent_prepare_yourselves_unless_i_was_the_only/

 

Seriously Ex-c, y'all have been a great blessing to me.  Thanks for hosting me.  <now I really plan to take my leave: my how I have earned a vacation>