Well I've gotten through another fall, the stress filled months are coming to a close, and I stayed sober and in recovery the whole time, something I am very greatful for.  

Here are somethings that happened.  I have under five years of sobriety, a very loaded and rigid schedule, and more dysfunctional relationships than I can accurately account for.  

Some of the vital things I learned in these months of extreme stress, even if from fancied realities that I needed to check with daily inventory, are the importance of consistency and principles over personalities.  

More times than I'd like to admit my mind told me absolutely incorrect information about people, recovery, and actions to be taken if I want to maintain a spiritual experience.  This period had multiple days where my mind would "buckle" and beg me not to attend a meeting, or not to help a certain person or two, but the amazing thing about sticking to the routine and not listening to my mind (ego) was the enhancement of the spiritful power I felt on the inside denying my mind persuading me to do otherwise.  Even though the stress hit levels of hazardous proportions, following the routine of praying, reading recovery material and literature, going to meetings, speaking with others in recovery not interested in drama or selfishness, and myself being unselfish especially with expenses and lending, really saved the day.  I feel stronger than ever, and it is a direct result of those five things I did without question of not doing, through my actions, which have become a sort of muscle memory if you want to know the truth.  

I have had mornings when my routine became so ingrained that my mind was convincing me I was staying in bed, but my body would take me to the shower, I'd start showering with my mind still hammering away at how I was to be back in bed, or left in a negative attitude about getting up, and before I knew it I was out the door practicing the AA way of life.  I had so many opportunities to help others these past couple of months, difficult people who if I am honest, might not have deserved the help, but I know my God loves it when I help, when asked.  

I will say lack of sleep was a huge negative, and exhaustion become a noticeable character defect that lead to periods of combative resentment with sometimes complete stangers.  I am still in a resent filled rut that we elected a reality tv star who bamboozled poor rural individuals into making him leader of the free world, but I also know God actually leads the free world and others, and if it happens, it is in his plan.  

I know, diet and excercise really made a difference too.  I know reading is something I didn't do enough of, even though I read daily, I still was listening to non-recoverying entities rather than recovered or sound entities far too often.  I know that left the door opened for me to be complacent with others manipulating me, something I don't think spiritual progress needs, so that is something I would like to warn newcomers about.  

I am around drinkers, and alcohol every day.  I was the type of alcoholic who would pawn shit, steal shit, do anything for a drink, before I recovered by doing the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.  Now being around alcohol and drinkers due to my profession, I haven't even had one compulsive desire to drink, truley a miracle, and I also am around many beautiful people, specifically women, and I have no desire to mingle or drink with them to feel better.  I always feel better, when I go to the farthest extent to attempt to help others, regardless if they are doing right or wrong.  I help, then I have sort of a conference with God at night, through the inventory process to see if I need to continue to help or not.  

Anyone else have something they did this year they want to pass along?