The only guarantee we have is change. The catchhrase "This too will pass" is written just for that.
If we do not do the footwork and prepare our ways, change is going to fall upon us - whether we like it or not.

denny....change presents it's self to me everyday..................the trouble is, i remain me. that is the problem.

Tis the reason for the footwork...

i tried footwork...........i can't dance....but i disco covered i can make wine LOL

i feel what ur saying..though im not a man..i am a women not the girl i use to be or even the women i want to be right now..in this program a/a has taught me what to aspire 4 that women i want to be.. and it is possible to achieve that if i stay that work in progress in this day i have now..at least im hoping..lol.

Lisa, you got it right imho. Remembering the difference between aspiring to something and expecting something. Plan the trip, not the outcome...

lmao,denny..i never planned to get sober either but i just kept working the steps and going 2 meetings anyways...unexpected outcomes have always been best 4 me..

Sounds corny but you can only achieve what you can dream. I for one never want to stop raising the bar. Maybe "bar" wasn't such a good choice of words.

I have just read through 23 replies and your original post, Joel. Granted, not all are in AA and may have another programme to follow.

You and I are in AA, so this reply is directly to you and my fellow AAs who are maybe at the point of what your post questions.

We certainly live in a very "me" society and I guess alcoholics, perhaps more than most, can comfortably subscribe to that.

Once sobriety becomes normal I am faced with the "where do I go from here" question. I still find my answer based in AA.

Step 10 - an examination of what I bring to the world or take from it, a daily review to keep it all in balance. Am I still self-centred or am I working for something that will be of real benefit. What would people have to say at my funeral, could they find anything worthwhile to say about me?! Now I'm past 50 I start to ponder these things...lol.

Step 11 - developing my spiritual life so that my soul is fed and not my financial wants or sense or self-importance. What can I do that is good or better. I try to get away from "self" as much as possible and instead, I ask God (as I understand Him) what I can give to the world and what he requires from me to use whatever talents I have been given wisely.

Step 12. Some of this I can do by carrying the message to the alcoholic who still suffers - a vital area of work to keep me healthy and grounded.

I can do this through sponsoring others and service work - it leaves me with surprisingly little time to think about "me and what I want" which paradoxically provides the happiness and fulfilment I require.

hummm, food for thought Gailly. I supposed one could immerse themselves in charities etc in their outside life as well. I do some of that .

Well it's great that you do that Joel, I know that seeking a balance in my life is good discipline for me because I was never balanced before. It was all "my rights" or "my job" or "my relationship" but most importantly "my friend alcohol."

If I can look at myself and say I honestly do my best to be a better person in all I do, that has to be good enough for me.

If you had seen the way I used to blag my way into jobs I couldn't do or wasn't qualified for, um.... I still cringe occasionally when I am in the shower... but I think that's healthy and normal now that I am restored to sanity... or as restored as I am ever going to get! Lol

Gailly, I loved your response! Nice way to start my day here.

This was a very good topic, Tread.

~Chris

why would you go ahead and mention a dirty word like balance Gaily? That's a whole nother topic.