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.
...this passage from the Big Book (How it Works) used to scare the shit out of me. What if I was one of these unfortunates? What if I could never be honest enough with myself or others? What if I never "got" the program?
Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path. Those who do not recover are people who cannot or will not completely give themselves to this simple program, usually men and women who are constitutionally incapable of being HONEST with themselves. There are such unfortunates. They are not at fault; they seem to have been born that way. They are naturally incapable of grasping and developing a manner of living, which demands rigorous HONESTY. Their chances are less than average. There are those, too, who suffer from grave emotional and mental disorders, but many of them do recover if they have the capacity to be HONEST."
Just wanted to share... xo
Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path. Those who do not recover are people who cannot or will not completely give themselves to this simple program, usually men and women who are constitutionally incapable of being HONEST with themselves. There are such unfortunates. They are not at fault; they seem to have been born that way. They are naturally incapable of grasping and developing a manner of living, which demands rigorous HONESTY. Their chances are less than average. There are those, too, who suffer from grave emotional and mental disorders, but many of them do recover if they have the capacity to be HONEST."
Just wanted to share... xo
I'm so proud of you that you're finally working the program and feeling better! Keep up the good work, my friend!
Rigorous Honesty in ALL my affairs
major sheet there-- ALL my affairs
Also that deliberately not telling the "whole" truth is that Sin of Omission thing
I agree ML. We can't be honest sometimes and dishonest other times. We are either honest or we are not, no in between. Honesty is not about convenience.
Proud of you little lady!
Peace
"Our stories disclose in a general way what we used to be like, what happened, and what we are like now. If you have decided you want what we have and are willing to go to any length to get it-then you are ready to take certain steps."
I would add that rarely have we seen anyone who has thoroughly followed our path, mainly because even more rarely do we meet anyone who has decided they want what we have, which is permanent and reasonably happy sobriety. I would say that our capacity to be honest is directly proportional to our level of desperation.
The hard part is knowing when we are lying to ourselves. First of all each person's mind is so unique. Made of of all kind of different factors that no two people have the exact same perception. Then you add the fact that an alcoholic/addicts mind is so dillusion that its a wonder we ever can become honest with ourselves.
The two most important things in any program is honesty and willingness. We have to be willing to do whatever it takes to get honest with ourselves as well as others.
There in lies the miracle of fellowship. I need others that love and support me. I need them to point when I'm deluding myself. I will buy into my own bullshit and it will kill me. :)Lisa(:
:)Lisa(:
So what about if the truth will hurt someone else. Should we tell them? IMO I remain completely honest in all my affairs and take the consequences of my actions. Such a simple basic post yet it is the cornerstone of a solid recovery.
Shawn
Ah, but did the Ephesians have a desire to stop sinning or to stop drinking? I think this is hugely important because it's exactly why many of us believers can be some of the toughest nuts to crack. The reason I say this is because I'm former clergy myself and have sponsored a few like me, and I assure you that our theological convictions never stopped one of us from picking up the next drink.