There's a strange paradox here, because many of us who've been happily sober for a long time without slipping or struggling attribute this success to a process of relentless ego deflation. But when we say that's how we've done it or-- worse-- crossed the line of etiquette and actually recommended this to others, we're told by those who haven't been sober very long or who aren't yet at all, that we're being rude, mean, negative, etc.

A little over twenty years ago I was drinking around the clock and was on the verge of being homeless. But now, thanks entirely to that process of liberation from my insatiable appetite for esteem and my so-called "positive" attitude, I've actually lived, and still live 24/7 every day of the week, the dream I've had for my life since I was a child. Is it mean, hurtful, rude, negative or disrespectful of me to say how that was accomplished? Should I bite my tongue and hang my head in shame because I've had a decent and satisfying life? That, I must say, is the strangest, most bass ackwards definition of kindness I can think of.

nemo, I really hope you where not offened by me...I like you, I like reading your posts.....I hope you didnt take me the wrong way....I am not in AA but have a lot of respect for it....it saved my mother and father!!!!! Sometimes I dont understand and ask questions but I am not saying that it isnt wonderful for some people....never have!!!

I will refrain from ever responed to this topic again.....I have better things to do and learn about in my recovery

I have a co-worker that wears his gf's underwear to work and tells people about it, calls his gf and she says' get me some pot and says it really loud that the one of the boss's hear, steals tips to get his beer fix. But he say's he is fine and everyone else is messed up. lol.I told him about AA, and that is all I can do.It is hard to work with this guy at times.

JoeTex wrote:

"But you cant make'em not drink."

Reminds me of what Yogi Beara said;

"If nobody wants to come, you can't stop em"

Ashley,

I can no longer be offended by what a fellow alcoholic says (or doesn't say) any more than be flattered by the face I see in the mirror. I no longer connect with people in that way or at that level, positively OR negatively, because the false self that was nothing more than my appetite for esteem has been whittled away.

Am I making any sense here?

confidence is cool when you look in the mirror, and say oh baby you sexy!!! ah hu ah hu !!!!!!!

Yeah, well, the sexy baby in my mirror drank like a fish, so I put him up for adoption.

Right of Topic but Nemo talking about mirrors two of my favorite verses or whatever you call them .

Kieth keep the posts coming.

If you keep saying things are going to wrong you may just become a Prophet.

God Bless...

Lionel

THE GAL IN THE GLASS

When you get what you want in your struggle for self
And the world makes you queen for a day
Just go to a mirror and look at yourself,
And see what THAT gal has to say.
For it isnt your husband or family or friend
Whose judgment upon you must pass;
That gal whose verdict counts most in the end
Is the one staring back from the glass.
Some people may think you are a "straight shootin" chum
And call you a person of place
But the gal in the glass says youre only a bum
If you cant look her straight in the face.
Shes the gal to please, never mind all the rest
For shes with you clear up to the end,
And youve passed your most dangerous, difficult test
If the gal 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 heartaches and tears
If youve cheated the gal in the glass.



The Man in the Glass

When you get what you want in your struggles for self
And the world makes you king for a day,
Just go to a 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 your life
Is the one staring back from the glass.
Some people might think you're a straight-shooting chum
And call you 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 test
If the guy 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.

This is not Happy club....But daily strength...:-b