The Next Step Sept 29 - Oct 5

[Cottontop]

I am happy to provide the weekly topic. After I stopped the progression and reversed the downward spiral of consequences, problems, denial, and have set in motion a program that helps me cope positively with my urge to use and our tendency to give up on myself, life beccame manageable. My awareness and attitude has changed for the better and the quality of life has improved noticeably. Recovery has become a way of life.
To keep recovery strong is to share it with others. Therefore my next step seems to be to work the program continuously along with newcomers. I need a sounding board to help me stay honest, positive, and on course. For me the program is kept fresh and alive from the collective knowledge and experience of every one involved.
Fear is healthy because it helps me to stay motivated. My self-respect has grown and I no longer fear slipping into relapse. I have realized a spiritual awakening and believe the next logical step is to sponsor others in the program and retell my story. Taking this step reminds me I am never alone or without support. We can only keep our recovery if we give it away.

Keep coming back it works if you work it. Thanks for being my sounding board and helping me to cope in a healthy way. Peggy

[Chance]

The Next Step

Wow

That reminds me of the words I have heard

Your either moving forward or backwards there is no standing still.

Sponsorship is good

My next step is what I try to do everyday and all day is just to do whatever is in front of me to be done...When I remember that than I am taking My Next Step :)

Thanks for the topic

[Cottontop]

Having reread my post I want to tell you, I may have overdone it a mite. I did way too much tinking on my part. I am sincere in my belief, but some times I tend to overdo. I too, need to remember to take life one day at a time. Sincerely,

[Khara]

Thanx for the topic!
The next step for me is always and forever" Back to Basics".
"Dont Drink/use, Go to Meetings, Read the Book".
There are lots and lots of little steps to be taken within the Basics.
Keeps me busy and never bored. Celebrating Life is the most precious
gift AA could have ever blessed me with. Today I have the tools
to cope well with whatever may come. No more chaos and drama.
Wishing everyone great amounts of serenity,
Huggz in the fellowship,
khara

[sioux]

I try to practice The Program always with a newcomer's heart. I try to keep an open mind. I have learned so much and believe I have so much more to learn.

Somedays I do this because I don't want to drink again.

Somedays I do this not because I don't want to drink again.

AA has become a lifestyle choice for me.

What the heck is the topic? lol...nevermind.

[gettinfree]

What's my next step? If I follow the fear, which is always waiting around the corner...I will dash off without a plan. I will not listen to those around me, I'll be careless and bang my shin, or stub my toe, my dogs and cats will all be a pain in the patutie...and I wont be very nice to drive around. If I chose, my whole day will go just like that. If that goes on long enough...I'll drink or use. When fear confronts me today...and it can be healthy? I realize Mike's running the show! At this point, I better open the tool box and begin the fix...Pray,
ground myself with quiet meditation, make a phone call, go to meeting, come in HERE, daily readings. When I do this...the next step is always obvious. It's ususally what's right in front of me to be done. I will ususally start looking forward to it. My thoughts are clear, resonable, and ususally centered around recovery in some form. Don't get me wrong, I run with the fear thingy, more than I like, but today I have the tool box with me when ever I chose to open it...With Love...Mike

[gettinfree]

ps...Have a great weekend...

[admin]

What's my next step? To continue to turn my life and will over to the care of God and doing His will and continue passing it on.

[shydawg]

Hi , I can relate to others share 'cause I too can sometimes let fear slip back in & get ahold of me for a few & it seems to shake me up pretty bad when it does .something unexpected might happen & thoews me for a loop & throws that fear imto me for a few...these times scared me pretty bad . , those momemts of fear , but ,I came torrealize that those were some of times of my greatest growth.I learned to keep the FAITH.. the faith in my higher power , faith in the recovery process ,faith in MYSELF ,faith that as long as I keep on doing the things that I'm doing now , the right things ( reading lit. calling sponsors & others in program. going 2 meetings , being of service,avoiding ppl plces & things) everything is going to be ok . AS LONG AS I DO NOT USE NO MATTER WHAT i have a fighting chance.I'm working on my step working guide now , when done answering these ???? i get together with sponser go over them . so I can get right on to the next .. its 1 step in front of the other ..then we practice what we learn by helping others. it becomes a way of life :-)

[analogjack]

certainly for me it has a lot to do with going through fear. It is always easier for me to get complacent in a comfort zone, and i do need to push myself past that, regularly, or else my recovery starts to not be worth much and my life becomes small and unsatisfying...then my fears and my resentments compound,,,and that is halfway to drinking/using

I get really happy when i realise i have not let fear hold me back