I am enjoying life in the program and have found some things that have worked for me.  They are as follows:

     I must "BE HONEST!" in all my affairs"...  plus I go to meetings every day, sometimes two.  At first this sounded impossible, but today it is just part of my routine.  When I think of all the hours I was absorbed with booze, the time I spend at meetings is miniscule.  Additionally, I just plain enjoy hearing what others have to say, and it gives me the opportunity to help others as well.  It is really spiritually uplifting.

     Secondly, I have a sponsor.  This one took some time and energy on my part.  I had to find someone I could relate to in and outside of the rooms.  I call him about every day and have asked him for guidance on issues that I have needed help with.  This sounded foreign to me in the beginning.  I had a hard time sharing daily events and problems with another person, especially someone outside my family.  Ultimately he has become part of my family.  I can not explain exactly how that happened, I just accept it as it is, and am grateful it has done so.

     Next, I work the steps daily, as I only have a "daily reprieve" from my disease, and it is "contingent on the maintenance of my spiritual condition."*  Most importantly I have learned that the steps are in order for a reason, and they must be worked in order to be successful.  There is no time gauge on how fast I work them; however, I do look to my sponsor for direction concerning this, and work the steps with him.

     I have learned what the saying "Don't Drink" means.  Above all there is nothing that can happen to me in a twenty-four hour period that can cause me to take a drink.  The fellowship of A.A. is always there if I need it, and I should always use the connection of fellowship if I find myself in a "Bad Place".  I especially call my sponsor in times like these!

     It is true that some days are definitely better than others.  Realizing this when I sobered up, that I still would face difficult times was a hard lesson to learn.  I really believed that all my problems would go away if I quit drinking.  That did not happen for me immediately.  In most cases it became worse, I had lost my pain killer.  The difference NOW is that I do not hide in the bottle and am able to face my fears and problems and work toward solving these issues so that my life will become happy, joyous and free as explained in "The Big Book" of Alcoholics Anonymous.  Yea, this part was the hardest for me and all I can say is I kept going to meetings and prayed every day for success in this area.

     So, that's it for now.  I will post fun recovery related information on the site and don't forget to check out the Downloads Library as it is constantly expanding with new & cool stuff all the time.  I will keep all of you in and out of the rooms in my prayers.  We're all brothers and sisters with the same disease, and through A.A. I have learned that I do matter and there is a wonderful life right before me, and all I had to do was ask, and follow a few simple steps.

*Alcoholics Anonymous pg.85

May God bless you and keep you!

John L.