Lite hearted but still real

[2dayisall]

Taking and running with the suggestion from BRY and his NEED post I thought I would go with something in the order of Active Men in recovery. Yes, in the beginning I was full of self pity and remorse ...... I walked into the "rooms" and saw in others what I wanted. "We are not a glum lot" right?
Working with others is a big part of my recovery. Walking the walk so to speak as best I can. Also showing new comers that recovey isn't boring.
Working with others isn't always "talking 12 step shop". It is getting together with some of the other guys in the group and fishing, golf or just hooking up for breakfast.
So, how did the relationships built with the other men in recovery help keep us sober? What was key in those relationships.
One key for me was the men's meeting in my group. Call me on my .... they did. I gained respect for those guys, after the initial resentments went away. They asked me if I wanted to go grab something to eat after the meeting. Asked me over their house for a small Holiday get together. Actaully got to do some "GUY" stuff. I learned how to build on relationships that really mean more to me then I ever thought they would.

I don't know if this is what BRy was looking for or if this is already out there on another posting. But I feel better showing how I feel in sobriety. Gratitude man. Those guys saved my ass, by kicking so many times...

Breathe in breathe out and don't drink in between

aj

[mellotripp]

I never could hug another man, till in the fellowship of NA.

[coalminer]

Hi AJ:

I'm open and interested in developing this site with you and bry!

My challenge is: I am still working on my relationship with the God of my Understanding; making good progress; with me - my self - that's starting to go real good - because of my working on (God and Me) in this together -

as for relationships with men, women, friends, acquaintances:

I keep at a great distance from EVERYONE> allow people just to get so close; but NOT TOO CLOSE - CAUSE IT SHUTS ME DOWN.

The most fulfilling INTIMATE relationship I have ever enjoyed in my entire life was with my pal: DUKE, an authralian blue heeler - we were together - WE WERE THROUGH THICK AND THIN TOGETHER (my using days and just shortly after I came into recovery - had to put him down due to cancer.)

Still miss him to this day!

However: I do believe in reasons - seasons and lifetimes.

I am now ready and able to risk - however - I caution people - if you want to come into my unbalanced and at times very crazy world - proceed with caution ; however, it just might be worth the effort -

cause IT IS NOW BECOMING ONE H*** OF A RIDE, almost feels like years ago when I was travelling down an open highway in the middle of the night - riding as a passenger on my buddy's chopper - we were both one with the wind - it was actually my first time on a bike - and now I think about it the last time as well, we were both hammered enough - that I was fearless -
but "aware" enough to be also scared shi*****,

But, I am just learning that for me is what life can be all about.

I have awakened from the walking talking dead.

I have a dream>>>>>>>>>

thanks for your invitation to your world.
coalminer

[2dayisall]

Hmm, God of my understanding.
Ok, long story short?
My first 30 days in sobriety I was at my "home group" meeting. Still new and raw and living in the problem. At that time a local sober bike group frequented the meetings at this group. About four bad ass looking Harley riders ride up and walk in. Now I had lived a rather sheltered life. So seeing these guys walk in made me feel a little uneasy. From their stories they had not spent theirs lives playing golf and reading the Wall Street Journal.
There is nothing more powerful [at least to me at that time] than a group of bad looking dudes drinking coffee and talking about God. I had struggled all my life with the God concept and refusing to believe. I was still a little unsure about God at that time. Then these guys walk in with there stories and their willingness to look to God for the answers. I thought that was cool and that maybe God was and is cool. After the meeting I had a pretty good conversation with one of them and he gave me his cell number. That one meeting was a turning point for me and it began to look a little bit simpler to have a God of MY understanding.
Willingness, for me, required a faith I had not acquired. Faith, I've heard said, is an absense of fear. I had much fear at that time and mentally masterbated the concept of God and just about everything else at that point.
It became simple for me when I thought that, maybe God knows me and my "concept of COOL" so He puts these guys in front of me to let me know "it is OK to believe. That and "you can't judge a book..." Anyway, that was my take on it.
Simplify.... It was MY concept of God, why couldn't I trust that? Simplify

aj

Breathe in breathe out and don't drink in between

[Prescott]

So seeing these guys walk in made me feel a little uneasy. From their stories they had not spent theirs lives playing golf and reading the Wall Street Journal.

Hi Guy's.....I came from the outlaw world to find a "God" of my own understanding. Still love to ride and love recovery!! Planning on taking a month and riding to the round up from AZ to NC hope to see you there!!

[coalminer]

aj, big brother John;

:29: :1: :42: :D

[trish]

:100: I'm not a guy but the last two guys I lived with were bikers. It would be so powerful to see them living and sharing for Christ.

[2dayisall]

I am now ready and able to risk - however - I caution people - if you want to come into my unbalanced and at times very crazy world - proceed with caution ; however, it just might be worth the effort -

coalminer

Reaching out was always difficult for me. Figured it wasn't worth it. My first AA meeting was a men's meeting. There was one guy there who was filling in that hour of a 24 hour alc-a-thon. Christmas day it was. The men's meeting was a 1/2 hour away. Before I said a word he reached out his hand and said "welcome" and introduced himself. Welcome? The rest of the men that showed up did the same thing. Anyway, they reached out and sort of "pulled me in".
To invite someone into "my world" does not take a sacrifice on their part. And most will not jump in all the way. The sacrifice may be on my part. To actually "meeting in the middle of the road". I have to meet them half way to gain their trust. They will be close enough to get into my trust and still keep their boundries in place. Boundries are OK to have even when I trust someone with my most personal information. For me, keeping the boundries helps keep the balance and me sober. I can't live my life through others.
So, for me, I'm not sure if it is "worth the effort" on their part. But it is worth the effort on mine. They are "my friends" and fellow AA'rs working to stay sober.
Try to work the "principles before personalities" as much as I can in that area. Helps me realize that I am not that important in the over all scheme of things. I am just a drunk working to stay sober.

breathe in breathe out and don't drink in between.

aj

[coalminer]

To invite someone into "my world" does not take a sacrifice on their part. And most will not jump in all the way. The sacrifice may be on my part. To actually "meeting in the middle of the road". I have to meet them half way to gain their trust. They will be close enough to get into my trust and still keep their boundries in place. Boundries are OK to have even when I trust someone with my most personal information. For me, keeping the boundries helps keep the balance and me sober. I can't live my life through others.
So, for me, I'm not sure if it is "worth the effort" on their part. But it is worth the effort on mine. They are "my friends" and fellow AA'rs working to stay sober.
Try to work the "principles before personalities" as much as I can in that area. Helps me realize that I am not that important in the over all scheme of things. I am just a drunk working to stay sober.

breathe in breathe out and don't drink in between.

aj

aj: wow! you sure have my attention!

glad you ended with "breathe in breathe out"

this is a big chunk of "elephant in my room" - actually left me speechless:

will have to take it and process it one bite at a time.

thanks - coalminer

[Prescott]

(((Henry & 2day)))
I am just a drunk working to stay sober.

so true!!