AA Thought for the Day
(courtesy AA-Alive.net)
March 20, 2016
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Drinking Occasions
Many of us have had the guts, if pressure to drink really got unpleasantly strong,
simply to make an excuse and leave, no matter what other people may think.
After all, our life is at stake.
We simply have to take whatever steps are necessary to preserve our own health.
Other people's reactions are their problem, not ours.
- Living Sober, p. 70
Thought to Ponder . . .
Keep your sobriety first to make it last.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
A A = Always Aware.
A Member Shares:
Hello Family, I'm Mike, an alcoholic. AA gives us tools we can use in order to get out of occasions where we might find ourselves drinking. I remember one time I ended up at my step mother’s ex-husband-in-law's house. I did not want to be there, and was very uncomfortable. Her ex-husband showed me a fridge full of beer as if he thought I was going to be so happy. But he was so wrong. I didn't have my phone but was aware enough to bring my car with me. I contacted my Home Group and got my sponsor's number. I called him and he told me I did not need to stay and that I had an obligation to myself to get out of there. I jumped in the car and fled. I got to my home group, mopped the floor, and chaired the meeting. After the meeting was over, my sponsor took me to a sober party. He told me I was lucky to have gotten out of there without having a drink. You see, I used the tools you guys taught me: I used the phone, car, meeting, sponsor, and fellowship. I have never been in a situation that I did not have an AA tool to get me out of. I had a sponsor who passed away in 2011. He was my best friend and he taught me so much. When he got sick I got to be there for him. I was able to help him in his last days. At his funeral, his family gave me the flag which the Marine Corps had presented to them for his service to this country. I cannot recommend a sponsor as a tool to get you out of situations that may appear to be drinking occasions. There is no such thing as an occasion for drinking that is okay for an alcoholic, but there comes a time when no human power can save us from drinking, and the one tool that we all must have and rely upon is a Higher Power. I cannot stress enough how important it is to have that relationship with a Higher Power. So, meetings, sponsor, Higher Power, AA fellowship and literature are all things that we can use to steer us safely away from all occasions, and if we rely upon those tools there will never be an occasion for us to drink. Thanks for letting me share.
To respond to the sharer, please email DTShare@aa-alive.org and it will be forwarded to them.
(All shares are reproduced with the kind permission of the person sharing)
Thanks to all of you for sharing so generously of your experience, strength and hope in carrying the AA message.
Blessings in sobriety to all,
In love and service,
joanna b
dailythought@aa-alive.org
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