Alcoholism Support Group
Alcoholism is the continued consumption of alcoholic beverages, even when it is negatively affecting your health, work, relationships and life. If you think alcohol is causing you to lose control, it's time to seek help. Our group is a safe place to vent, check in, get back up if you fall, and reach sobriety.
Good Morning to all well morning here.lol
Prayer is a big part of my recovery just one i found on the net a little different than the ones I used when drinking especially with the hangover from hell. "O God never again." The alcoholics prayer.lol which lasted until next time.
And the one i used on the steps of the courthouse ."If You get me out of this i will never do it again." which also lasted until the next time
Anyway here it is do you notice anything about it..
God Bless
Lionel.
Almighty God, I humbly pray,
Lead me and guide me through this day.
Cast out my selfishness and sin,
Open my heart to let You in.
Help me now as I blindly stray
Over the pitfalls along the way.
Let me have courage to face each task,
Invest me with patience and love, I ask.
Care for me through each hour today,
Strengthen and guard me now, I pray.
As I forgive, forgive me too,
Needing Your mercy as I do.
Oh, give me Your loving care,
Never abandon me to despair.
Yesterday's wrongs I would seek to right,
Make me more perfect in Your sight.
Oh, teach me to live as best I can,
Use me to help my fellow man.
Save me from acts of bitter shame,
I humbly ask it in Your name. ~~ Anonymous
Prayer is a big part of my recovery just one i found on the net a little different than the ones I used when drinking especially with the hangover from hell. "O God never again." The alcoholics prayer.lol which lasted until next time.
And the one i used on the steps of the courthouse ."If You get me out of this i will never do it again." which also lasted until the next time
Anyway here it is do you notice anything about it..
God Bless
Lionel.
Almighty God, I humbly pray,
Lead me and guide me through this day.
Cast out my selfishness and sin,
Open my heart to let You in.
Help me now as I blindly stray
Over the pitfalls along the way.
Let me have courage to face each task,
Invest me with patience and love, I ask.
Care for me through each hour today,
Strengthen and guard me now, I pray.
As I forgive, forgive me too,
Needing Your mercy as I do.
Oh, give me Your loving care,
Never abandon me to despair.
Yesterday's wrongs I would seek to right,
Make me more perfect in Your sight.
Oh, teach me to live as best I can,
Use me to help my fellow man.
Save me from acts of bitter shame,
I humbly ask it in Your name. ~~ Anonymous
And what a beautiful day to be sober. Its Good Friday here today and a time for me to find a quiet place later and reflect on my journey in recovery and make some time to clean house and be thoughtful of how this journey started and to also be mindful of the sacrifices of others .
God Bless
Lionel
FIRST THINGS FIRST
Dear Higher Power, remind me:
To tidy up my own mind,
To keep my sense of value straight,
To sort out the possible and the impossible,
To turn the impossible over to you,
And get busy on the possible.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhc7MEYY-Ho
Pouring here after a sunny Good Friday. You can smell the rain on freshly cut grass. Went to see Arthur at the movies last night then for Thai. Today we went shopping as did the rest of Sydney lol. It was packed! But everyone seemed happy out today. Lot's of smiles. Had this one in my email this morning and thought I'd share...
"When I'm experiencing darkness or difficulty, my belief in the power and love of Spirit brings me comfort and direction. In the face of any challenge, I am never alone. I remember there is value and promise even in the toughest times. During hardship or heartache, I become truly teachable.
In the transition from darkness to light, I gain new understanding about myself and about life. I find the strength and resilience to go on. A magnificent rebirth follows uncertain or demanding times. As I surrender to Spirit, I am enfolded in love and peace. I am ready to rise to all life has to offer."
I surrender to Spirit and find rest for my soul.
and Happy Easter to you and Family.And thanks for posting .It's Monday overcast and raining and i am on my way to IKEA with my son and his girlfriend to have a look around and i guess there will be a crowd there as well. but that is life
God bless...
Lionel.
Living Sermon
I'd rather see a sermon
than to hear one any day
I'd rather one should walk with me
than merely show the way.
I can soon learn how to do it
if you'd let me see it done.
I can watch your hands in action
but your tongue too fast may run.
All the lectures you deliver
may be very wise and true,
But I'd rather get my lesson by
observing what you do.
Though I might not understand you
and the fine advice you give,
There is no misunderstanding
how you act
and how you live.
Tuesday morning here in the land of OZ. Something i found ages ago.
God Bless...
Lionel
I Ask God
I asked God to take away my pain.
God said, "NO, it is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up."
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, "No, her spirit was whole, her body was only temporary."
I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, "No, patience is a by-product of tribulations, it isn't granted,
it is earned."
I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, "No, I give you blessings. Happiness is up to you."
I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, "No, suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and
brings you closer to me."
I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, "No, you must grow on your own, but I will prune you
to make you fruitful."
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, "No, I will give you life so that you may enjoy all things."
I asked God to help me LOVE others, as much as he loves me.
God said "Ahhhh, finally you have the idea."
I have posted this before but worth another look i think.
What has what I am about to post to do with recovery only you can answer that. Some of my greatest lessons on life and in recovery have come out of the mouths of babes my children and others children.
What Love Is
- By 4-8 year old children
A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year olds, "What does love mean?" The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. See what you think:
"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love." Rebecca - age 8
When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth." Billy - age 4
"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other." Karl - age 5
"Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs." Chrissy - age 6
"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired." Terri - age 4
"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK." Danny - age 7
"Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss." Emily - age 8
"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen,". Bobby - age 7
"If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate." Nikka - age 6
"Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday." Noelle - age 7
"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well." Tommy - age 6
"During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore." Cindy - age 8
"My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night." Clare - age 6
"Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken." Elaine-age 5
"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford." Chris - age 7
"Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day." Mary Ann - age 4
"I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones." Lauren - age 4
"When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you." Karen - age 7
"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross." Mark - age 6
"You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget." Jessica - age 8
And the final one -- Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child. The winner was a four-year-old child whose next-door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his Mother asked him what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, "Nothing, I just helped him cry."
Thank you your one of the reasons i keep posting that these posts may in some way help someone. I know for me not overnight but in time some of these prayers took me from a mind in pieces to peace of mind.
God Bless...
Lionel
Sunday morning here a beautiful sunny day with a Autumn chill in the air i just love it . It's like being hit in the back side by a rainbow.
Life be in It. lol
Anyway i am about to start Fasting to change my life here are some directions.
God Bless...
Lionel
Change Your Life by Fasting
Fast from SELF PITY,
and FEAST ON JOY!!
Fast from RESENTMENT,
and FEAST ON CONTENTMENT!!
Fast from JEALOUSY,
and FEAST ON LOVE!!
Fast from PRIDE,
and FEAST ON HUMILITY!!
Fast from SELFISHNESS,
and FEAST ON SERVICE!!
Fast from FEAR,
and FEAST ON FAITH!!
On a cold morning here at Erowal Bay Australia.
"If drinking is interfering with your work, you're probably a heavy drinker. If work is interfering with your drinking, you're probably an alcoholic."
God Bless...
Lionel
Dear Lord, I humbly come before you this day
to ask that you give me one more day of wholeness.
Free me of all cravings, addictive and dysfunctional behaviour.
Show me how I can serve you this day
instead of serving false idols and obsessions.
Fill me with your strength, that I may have hope.
Guide me, that I may walk in your path and not mine.
Cast out all darkness within me and replace it with light,
that I may shine before others who need a helping hand.
A beautiful Saturday morning here and i intend to make the best of it.
I didn't get and stay sober to be miserable so i am going to see what I can do to make this a better day.
God Bless...
Lionel
"You don't have to continue to believe what is not true unless you choose to do so."
I try to take 1 day at a time but sometimes several days attack me at once
A PRAYER
I now pray that I be given the capacity to set aside everything I think I know about God, about me, about my fellow man, about the Twelve Steps, and please allow me to gain a fresh new vision, perspective and understanding of what God, what me, what my fellow man and The Twelve Steps are all about. AMEN.
It is Saturday morning here and though it is cold the sun is out and I am looking forward to the day ahead . For an old bugger I don't feel to bad one reason i am not hung over i slept in a warm bed last night and not on some footpath not on a park bench or a concrete slab in a police cell only to mention a few .
Thank you AA thank you God.
I hope you all have a great w/end.
God Bless...
Lionel
THE ANT AND THE CONTACT LENS
Brenda was a young woman who was invited to go rock climbing. Although she was scared to death, she went with her group to a tremendous granite cliff. In spite of her fear, she put on the gear, took a hold on the rope, and started up the face of that rock. Well, she got to a ledge where she could take a breather. As she was hanging on there, the safety rope snapped against Brenda's eye and knocked out her contact lens. Here she is on a rock ledge, with hundreds of feet below her and hundreds of feet above her. Of course, she looked and looked and looked, hoping it had landed on the ledge, but it just wasn't there. So here she was, far from home, her sight now blurry. She was desperate and began to get upset, so she prayed to the Lord to help her to find it. When she got to the top, a friend examined her eye and her clothing for the lens, but there was no contact lens to be found. She sat down, despondent, with the rest of the party, waiting for the rest of them to make it up the face of the cliff. She looked out across range after range of mountains, thinking of that Bible verse that says, "The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth." She thought, "Lord, You can see all these mountains. You know every stone and leaf, and You know exactly where my contact lens is. Please help me."
Finally, they walked down the trail to the bottom. At the bottom there was a new party climbers just starting up the face of the cliff. One of them shouted out, "Hey, you guys! Anybody lose a contact lens?"
Well, that would be startling enough, but you know why the climber saw it? An ant was moving slowly cross the face of the rock, carrying it! Brenda told me that her father is a cartoonist. When she told him the
incredible story of the ant, the prayer, and the contact lens, he drew a picture of an ant lugging that contact lens with the words, "Lord, I don't know why You want me to carry this thing. I can't eat it, and it's awfully heavy. But if this is what You want me to do, I'll carry it for You."
At the risk of being accused of being fatalistic, I think it would probably do some of us good to occasionally say, "God, I don't know why you want me to carry this load. I can see no good in it and it's awfully heavy. But, if you want me to carry it, I will." "God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called."
Sunday morning here and I am looking forward to the day ahead.
What a change from the times i just wanted to curl up into a ball and just die.Because i was that hungover form alcohol it seemed like the better option at the time.
Well them days are gone thanks to AA and God as I try to understand Him. there's so much to do these days and i plan on doing them have a great weekend .
God Bless ...
Lionel
Oh Lord, Watch over this Alcoholic. Be Thou my Higher Power as I strive toward recovery. Permit me to lean on You for strength and guidance. Grant that I may become totally honest about my problem. Touch my soul and spark my spirit into awareness, Lord, that I may see the value of a sober life. Show me the glory of the Dawn and a new day and the reward of a Sunset and a day well lived. Help me to deal with resentments, Lord, the real curse of the Alcoholic. Take from me all hatred, anger and willfulness and persuade me to work toward emotional health and maturity that I may fully enjoy the blessings of respectability.
In Thy mercy, Lord, see fit to remove my cravings for that which will destroy me - alcohol. Keep me ever mindful that alone, I am unable to maintain a hapy sobriety. Bring me ever close to You and those who will help me along the way.
Most of all, prompt me to extend my hand to the Alcoholic who stilll suffers, so that through him or her, I may find You and continue sobriety.
AMEN
It's a beautiful sunny but cool Sunday morning here and i am so happy to be part of it TY God TY AA and TY All.
God Bless...
Lionel
The Man In The Glass
Peter "Dale" Winbrow Sr
When you get what you want in your struggle for self
And the world makes you king for a day,
Just go to the mirror and look at yourself
And see what that man has to say.
For it isn't your father or mother or wife
Whose judgment upon you must pass.
The fellow whose verdict counts most in you life
Is the one staring back from the glass.
You may be like Jack Horner and chisel a plum
And think you're a wonderful guy.
But the man in the glass says you're only a bum
If you can't look him straight in the eye.
He's the fellow to please-never mind all the rest,
For he's with you clear to the end.
And you've passed your most dangerous, difficult test
If the man in the glass is your friend.
You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years
And get pats on the back as you pass.
But your final reward will be heartache and tears
If you've cheated the man in the glass.