The key for me is when I finding I'm not coping to any given situation I can identify I need to look at myself and ask why.
As always there is a step I should be working on.

coping skills are learned...alcoholics usually use alcohol as a coping tool...so when we get sober we need to learn new ways to cope...the steps are simple set of tools for coping...I find that there are other tools too...like peacefulness...gratitude....sharing....to name three

When I could no longer pray...... I drank......

I had been taught (and practiced for many years) that the solution to all problems was to pray and give to God my problems and wait for the answers. When I no longer practiced prayer I didn't have a new set of tools for problem solving. Drink became the way out...but as all of us know we end up just stuffing the problems instead of airing them out and seeking resolution. To compound the problem I became addicted and allergic to alcohol...couldn't stop drinking.

In sobriety its been an interesting experience not having drink or prayer as "solutions" to issues and problems. Slowly (and I mean S L O W L Y :D) I am developing a new set of tools...thanks in large part to AA to help deal with....................... LIFE!

D, how true!!! Prayer is a huge, huge part of my day. Not only do I ask for guidance for the day ahead upon waking, and thanks for another sober day upon retiring, but prayers throughout the day as others cross my mind. I do give constant thanks. None of what I have today would be possible without God. Just seems when I leave things up to him everything works out well. Not always the way I might have anticipated, but I am able to accept whatever the outcome might be.

Nice post, D. Thanks.

Chris

D.. Good stuff.

The person who wrote that was Bob P. ~ a tremendous influence on my sobriety. One of the most grateful, happiest and humble individuals I have ever known. Years ago he was very involved with the GSO, was the general manager for many years, very involved in writing some of our AA literature. Was also very good friends with Bill W. before he passed.

When he shared he announced himself as : My name is Bob and I am am a happy alcoholic" and you never doubted the truth that he was. That sense/energy of gratitude just radiated from him.

Bob retired to the area I live after leaving the GSO and New York and brought his gratitude with him and helped a lot of people here getting sober. He passed away a couple years ago - at his memorial there were AA's from all over the country and it was the most powerful aa meeting I have ever been to , it was awesome.

What he wrote in his story had such an impact on me, and today it is again! lol it is just what I needed to read today - down bellow on the first page were the old timer tells him "AA does not teach us how to handle our drinking,: he said. "It teaches us how to handle sobriety." - I am so grateful for what we get in AA.

Though I am so far from my ideal of perfect, it is OK. I don't have to live sober in misery bogged down in regret, fear, resentments and shame and guilt and all the negative that I don't know how to deal with that would always drive me back to drinking. I get release from them, I have , spiritual tools, a fellowship, principles, actions all there for me to live life sober and in a healthy way that I did not know how to do without AA. I have a huge Higher Power in my life that I can rely on in my life - I don't have to try to plow through life on my will alone, only depending on myself.

I need to read this today, to be reminded of some of this today. I am very grateful to be alive and sober and to be here and for all the opportunities I have.

I feel good. Everyone have a great day :-)

So weird , Just thought about a old saying i heard, long as I admit it is a Problem and turn it over and start addressing it .Then it becomes a Situation.. Doable.... Of course, as long as I don't take the Problem back :)
Billy