About posts that run the new people off - I don't know about the rest of you but when I first got sober - I was very grateful for a few odd balls around me at meetings. The drama of it all seemed to alleviate some of the dread I felt at the idea of being sober.

We don't come in through the doors of AA with a clean bill of emotional health. Life is full of characters - here as well as in the real world. I think it is from the "crazies" that we learn the most - tolerance at least.

Frankly I welcome some of the insanity - it helps me to stop thinking about myself CONSTANTLY.

I don't really think it has anything to do with running new people off - I am sorry but people, new or old here have to grow some balls - are they really ran off or do they just not post - OMG - it's a board full of alkies - alkies are so dsyfunctional as it is anyway BUT i do think that some of the postings could be directed to another group - instead of the mainboard and allow the newbies, so to speak, to find more topics related to what they are seeking.

I am very aggravated with this one person that this post is directed to, but it doesn't mean that i am not continuing to support him - i think we all latch on to certain people for whatever those reasons are - even here on ds - he's one of "mine" that i pick to be "mine" whether he likes it or not and because of that, i will lash out at this person and it's because for some reason, i see in this person, what this person cannot see in themselves. I don't "connect" with everyone but some people i just do - and that's the great thing about DS is the variety of people here, everybody can connect with somebody or somebodies - WHICH IS A NECESSITY

AGain, I do think this person has gone overboard and i've sorta commented about that even on those overboard postings -

But i truly believe that once this person finds their personal rock bottom and truly makes the decision to stop drinking permanently that his future sobriety is going to be that of some awesome stuff - i hope I am not wrong, it's just the way I feel.

Peace!

This site has gotten way out of hand befor gjm! Who are we to say that these bullshit posts are not helping someone? I swear, I have NO clue what helps another stay sober. I just know for me, the only thing that bothers me is the cut and paste topics, just cuz it bores me. WHo cares! It helps another-than shut me up!

Perhaps you can examine in yourself why this bothers all of you. It is a free board, no breathalizers to write on it, and all walks of life come on and out of here. I kinda like the free for all we got going on......it is interesting to watch all the various stages of alcoholism and recovery folks interact.

Maybe this is a sign from the almighty how annoying you were when drunk. Who knows. I just know I am glad I can turn off the computer to some here-and chat extensively with others. It is all good!

gr8ful2b said "I do believe though, that one thing seems consistent with both here and the rooms of AA. People either get better or get gone. It just takes a little longer here for that to happen."

Aint that the damn truth?!

It is nothing like it used to be, there was more of a "family" feel. More caring, more concern & less BS. It does seem to happen in waves, this wave just seems to be a tsunami, I'm afraid.

I have felt a difference since Reed passed away.....I miss him and wish he was still here with us. He would have a gracious way of handling the "trouble makers" and "know it alls" and tons of experience, strength & hope to share as he always did.

I hope the constant negativity passes and more light will start shining in again as this can be a great tool in recovery, IN ADDITION TO other means of support of course.

I'm also afraid that if many of the people I consider wise & offer much help with their knowledge get tired of the crap & leave, there will be no one left but the suffering alcoholic......and no one here to offer help.

Just something to keep in mind G. Peace my brother. :)

Sometimes it is great here and sometimes it feels as if it is very difficult to get or give anything positive.

I used to get really wound up about it at times but I have learnt a few things for myself. That I can choose to come here or not, if i dont like it I dont have to be here. That I cant control what anyone else wants to use this board for and whether it is overall positive or negative. That i dont know who might be reading what I post and be getting something from it. That all i can control is what I post, how i respond to people, how I can contribute to the board in a positive way and that the best use of my energy is to do my best with that.

In the time I have been here there has been times when all sorts of sh*t was going on here. I can see that my patience, tolerance, desire to control etc have all improved over time because I mostly deal with things differently now than I did a couple of years ago.

Personally it took quite some time for me to grasp the principle of tolerance as well as patience. I can understand the frustration in regard to various posts that have absolutely nothing to do with recovery, or does it ? I recall in the early days that others reminded me of my somewhat baseless, irrational comments, however they apparently overlooked my insanity of the moment. Thanks for the opportunity. Allen 82.

Just like anything in life G, nothings perfect.

I honestly think some have an agenda here.

I'm a poster child for attention seeking pity pot bullshit, I get that. But openly attacking them on a open board is bullshit if you ask me.

Like the person or dont like them....there is an ignore button. If the person gets to you that bad, ignore them.

Some of the blowhards around here will run newcomers off quicker than some stupid drunken post.

These post are getting as old as drunken post.

I'll bite my tongue for the rest

Yep, I too feel like that at times. Some nights I type replies and then hit the cancel button before posting and post nothing.

I remember speaking to my sponsor about this board and how frustrated I would get in the early days. My sponsor said to me 'as long as I post with the right intent' then that is all I can do. How true? Also, to post once and move on. Some people just seem to like to antagonise one another and I stay out of that (not perfect though! haha).

Lastly, as stated, I have learnt how to 'be' here. Some days I post, some days I just shake my head and move on.

I like what was also said; some days I really have no idea what happens here yet I know it does help my sobriety. Like the AA rooms, there are people who's sobriety I want and people's I don't. I learn for sure.

Thanks for the courage to post this gjm.

Peace x

These posts are getting old ramblin??? Funny you should say that.
Can't help but wonder....do you think this thread was directed at you and your self described attention seeking pity pot bullshit?

G didn't "openly attack" anyone in particular.