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Saturday, February 21, 2009

The loss of Fidus Achates

posted by Sam @ 11:38 PM  
Interesting how, as we were going around the room reading paragraphs from the Big Book, I read this particular one on page 99:

If there be divorce or separation, there should be no 

undue haste for the couple to get together.  The man 

should be sure of his recovery.  The wife should fully 

understand his new way of life.  If their old relationship 

is to be resumed it must be on a better basis, since the 

former did not work.  This means a new attitude and 

spirit all around.  Sometimes it is to the best interest of all 

concerned that a couple remain apart.  Obviously, no rule 

can be laid down.  Let the alcoholic continue his program 

day by day.  When the time for living together has come, 

it will be apparent to both parties. 



Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Where to share...

posted by Sam @ 9:29 PM  
I've lost my best friend.  We haven't talked in over a month.  I can't talk about the relationship in the gay meetings because he goes to those meetings and everyone there knows him.  I can't talk about the relationship in the mainstream meetings because it's a gay relationship and there'd be too much information.  My sponsor and I can't seem to get any facetime due to our schedules.  I don't have any other friends that are close enough for me to let this go of with.

Al-Anon meeting tomorrow...

Sunday, February 15, 2009

A Speaker

posted by Sam @ 9:40 PM  
Got to hear my sponsor tell his story tonight; it was the first time I'd heard it.  Interesting how much we have in common despite all that we don't.  Even more interesting how that's commonplace in our fellowship.  I'm grateful.

The 9th Step Promises

posted by Sam @ 2:35 AM  
At tonight's Big Book study, part of the text we read was the 9th Step Promises.  I've read these aloud at meetings many times, heard them many more, even read them in the book a few.  BUT, I've rarely read them while someone else was reading them aloud.  Tonight, something smacked me upside the head in them, "Self-seeking will slip away."

It did.  It's back.  I shared what I've shared here in the meeting and that I will talk with my sponsor about it.

Later tonight, I was pondering what my purpose was in a new friendship that's growing.  What am I supposed to do?  I was at a nightclub, watching my friend play drums.  His band was performing for Valentine's Day and their theme was (wait for it....) love.  As I was standing there wondering what I should and shouldn't do, it came to me (again... I've felt/heard it before...).  Love.  That's all I have to do with this friend, love him.  Perhaps that's all I have to do with each and every person in my life.  After all, in doing some major work on myself, I found I want to (and have at times) be the possibility of love for every person I encounter.

I've slipped a little away from that.  Now I am aware of it and can do something about it.  If acceptance is the key, awareness is the flashlight on the keyring.

Sunday, February 08, 2009

Denial

posted by Sam @ 2:41 AM  
Well, yesterday was an awesome day and was capped off with a meeting in Cairo, Egypt!  We met in a courtyard under the stars and moon at the Swiss Club.  I met a new friend who I helped set up the meeting space.  (I got there an hour early...)  It was a Big Book meeting, where we read several pages and discussed how our experience related to what was read.  In between the reading and the discussion, a woman was recognized for her 7-year anniversary and she shared on how she got there.  She's from Copenhagen, Denmark, where I went to a meeting this past fall!  Imagine if we'd first met there...  

In the course of the other people sharing, one said "denial" and I immediately went to "Denial is a river in Egypt!"  Some are sicker than others...  At least I didn't say it out loud!

It's really great for me to get to a meeting anytime I travel.  Getting to this one so early in my trip is even better.  I am so grateful to get to do these things!  What a life I get to have now!

Monday, February 02, 2009

Home!

posted by Sam @ 10:04 PM  
Great to get back to my homegroup again tonight!

There is no middle-of-the-road solution.  Bitter end or spiritual help...  When you get as severely alcoholic as I, the middle of the road is indecision and fear.  I even tried the bitter end and failed.  Thankfully, that failure spurred me to go the other way on that road...

Sunday, February 01, 2009

Meeting after the meeting

posted by Sam @ 10:30 PM  
Talking with a friend in the parking lot after the meeting...

I see first in other people what I'm about to work on in myself.


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