There are lots of pithy and annoying phrases I have learned since joining the fellowship. I think why they are annoying is that they are cliche but true nonetheless. However, there is one that speaks such truths and makes me laugh every time, "You're pole vaulting over mouse turds!" That is exactly what I did on my recent trip to San Fran. Two days for a funeral. I took every AA book I had, phone lists, speaker meetings downloaded on my iPod and a schedule of every meeting from San Francisco to San Jose. I was way too nervous about leaving my comfort zone and falling victim to a relapse. Lugging all that crap around helped keep me focused on my mission but you want to know what really helped? Step 12 "Practical experience shows that nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking as intensive work with other alcoholics." This was my unexpected gift when I ventured out to attend my uncle's funeral. I was worried about my sobriety on so many levels while being geographicly separated from my home group, yet I knew it was the right thing to show support for my family. I knew I had one cousin whom I have spent many chances drinking with that was working a non AA program to maintain sobriety. He has a little over a year and a half of continuous sobriety. We spoke about how each others program was working. The fortunate surprise was getting to discus and help another cousin who was like my big sister growing up. If you asked her I'm sure she would describe me like an ANNOYING little brother! She has been sober for 5 months all on her own and since I have kept all of my monthly chips I was able to pass on my 5 month chip to her. I told her how proud I was of her and I felt so much less alone in the family. 3 out of 6 cousins admitting they have a problem with alcohol...hmmm think there might be some hereditary links there? Oh, we just happen to be Irish too! Gratefully I can report that I returned home just as sober as I left. While the chips, books, iPod and even my lucky Notre Dame hat were all great reminders, the real trick came when I prayed and asked God to help. He presented me with family just like me. Thanks Shawn and Kris you drunks:)
God bless us all
Fishstyx
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4 comments:
So glad to hear you are home safe and sound. There is no place like home!
I saw Jim Carey on Larry King last night and he spoke of his alcoholic grandparents and dysfunctional mother. He said he wanted to be his mom's miracle so she would be happy. This is how he got his start. He also said something quite interesting: we are given circumstances to stretch us. He has always enveloped these circumstances, no matter how painful. It was strange to see this jokester talking all serious. I guess Larry King stretched him in a way. More like Carey stretched King. Carey eventually starting poking fun at the uptight questions King read off his card, verbatim. I guess we are like that at times-afraid to veer from the script.
On another note, Carey spoke of his mom with a sense of empathy. He said she was stuck on one vibration. In other words, one plain of experience. She is just fine in the comfort of her addictions.
New vibrations can be both exhilarating and threatening. I guess if we are to grow, we need to embrace those vibrations with the anticipation of a kid going on a roller coaster for the first time.
What is your new ride in life?
Cousin Chris-by the way I thought I was the annoying one, with all the teasing you had to put up with....
Sounds good. I'm glad that you got there and made it back sober. And that you helped out others. It's by giving away what we so freely receive that keeps the program going.
Kinda cool how our Higher Power gives us these opportunities to stay sober and get out of our own heads.
They seem to happen with regular occurrence, the last for me a week ago when I was feeling like I was getting a bit bored with AA, that my life was becoming manageable. I had phoned someone who had gone missing and this drunk, full of self pity answered. Showed me just where I was when I entered the program and why I should keep working my ass off to stay in the program.
This fellow still hasn't come back, planning on calling him back in a couple of weeks, once Christmas is pass.
Thanks for sharing your story. It's God at work.
When I saw your shining face in the meeting following your return, I knew something good had happened. God Bless you T. LU J.
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