I remember early on after about 30 days before the fog lifted that my patients was running thin because of course I wanted everything NOW! Grateful I had good people around me to pull the reins in.

I would be lying if I said today I was always patient because that's just not the case but the key is for me is to identify when it happens and do something about with the tools I was taught, which lately its happening frequently with my health issue at hand.

Peace be the Journey everyone.

Yes!! g early on Just survival mode!! Then ping! Oh I'm sober and the puzzle does not fit . After that it became necessary to have at least a inquisitive mind and a plan centered around faith and understanding.

That involved believing I as I was , Was worth saving and all things are in order Just not the same order I might be in!!

So Yes g many times still need that a sense of "Its all gonna be alright" just as it is , If I show up pay attention and You know remain afloat !!
Billy

I learned the hard way I guess. When I first got sober I was so high on life I wanted to make everything happen....yesterday. I have since learned that it is better to Let things happen as opposed to making things happen. It sure made life a lot less stressful.

I think s alcoholics we are past masters at wanting "Instant Gratification of all kinds". Drinking alcoholically is a way of gaining instant Gratification in dealing with emotional discomfort, fear, resentment etc. Non alcoholics/addicts of course operate with wanting Instant Gratification, it's human nature, but they don't create a way of life out of it, most do things to gain Instant Gratification like, having a glass of wine or two at th end of the working day, buying something they don't need or can't afford, maybe engaging in sex to divert themsleves, be workaholics to some extent, people please to gain validation from others, again, all natural human instincts. But in the alcoholic we seem to need to gain Instant Gratification to such a greater degree.

I think it's in part because of the layout, neuronal pathways, chemical makeup of our brains that we inherit, but also for many the upbringing, which in many cases does not instill in the alcoholic the lfe skills to delay gratification. We are programmed to want satisfaction RIGHT now, because we don't have the belief that whatever it is will be there if we hold off from taking the lolly right now - I'm referring to studies that show some kids will take a lolly when told if they hold off they will get 2 lollies - that's us. But other kids will hold off for the promise of two lollies. I hope I'm malking sense. And I believe, if we let it, AA, and in my view deep and long therapy can re-train our brains to a great entent to change those dynamics.

I think a big part of the program is helping us to mature, and sit out discomfort before acting.

At 12 years sober I definitely still engage in Instant Gratification, but I've come a long way. I won't bore you anymore but I have had two scenarios recently where I HAVE delayed gratification while very unconfortable where, in the past I wouldn't have and the end results in the scenarios have been so much better.

I remember a saying that came my way in early sobriety - "God is in the pauses". Too true.