--------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 231 RECOVERY Ref: D3Q00001 Date: 03/19/96 From: ED KASKY Time: 09:55pm \/To: ELAINE LOVELESS (Read 0 times) Subj: Re: CURE FOR ALCOHOLISM? On 15 Mar 96 13:27 ELAINE wrote . . . EL> Hi Ed......you wanted to know if you're stuff is getting out....it's EL> here......:) I was really beginning to wonder for a while... Thanks -- hugs -- Ed ... "As a math atheist, I believe I should be excused from this." --- Blue Wave/QBBS v2.30 * Origin: 12 Steps BBS via Hooray For Hollywood 213-653-7508 (1:102/749) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 231 RECOVERY Ref: D3Q00002 Date: 03/19/96 From: ED KASKY Time: 09:57pm \/To: RAIN (Read 0 times) Subj: Re: Cure for Alcoholism? 21:57:0003/19/96 On 17 Mar 96 02:11 Rain wrote . . . Ra> Here's one: Ra> OFFLINE 1.58 ** Macintosh: An Etch-A-Sketch you don't have to shake. ROTFL!!! }B->) Maybe if we work these steps a litle harder we'll become more accepting of those machines... Howz dat for getting us back?? Ed ... Mac screen message: "Like, dude, something went wrong." --- Blue Wave/QBBS v2.30 * Origin: 12 Steps BBS via Hooray For Hollywood 213-653-7508 (1:102/749) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 231 RECOVERY Ref: D3R00000 Date: 03/20/96 From: KITTY JONES Time: 05:11pm \/To: EILEEN KREH (Read 0 times) Subj: multi-program recovery EK>I really don't think my recovery from alcoholism or the emotional EK>effects of the disease could have been possible unless I was EK>introduced to the alonon program first. I, too, became interested EK>in 12 step programs to fix someone else in my life. After that blew EK>up in my face and all of my easier, softer roads were exhausted I EK>came to the conclusion that maybe, just maybe, this problem I was EK>having with regards to insane living did derive from (egads!) me. I EK>immediately jumped into a searching, but not quite fearless, persuit EK>of the 12 steps. I inadvertantly realized I was an alcoholic when my EK>sponsor(alonon sponsor at the time )read to me from AA when I also EK>began squirming in my seat and realized that I exhibited all the EK>behaviors of an alcoholic and definitely drank like one. goodbye EK>--- Platinum Xpress/Wildcat! v1.2f EK> * Origin: Dingle Delaware Austin, TX (512) 442-8145 (1:382/48) You just told my story :))). Hi Eileen, I'm an alcoholic and my name is Kitty. I hope you don't mind me replying, I just couldn't believe it when I was reading your message, I thought I had written it and just forgot til I saw your name in the From area :))). Actually, the only difference is I realized I am an alcoholic after hearing a woman speak at an open AA meeting. Hope to hear from you again. ___ * POW 1.1 On Trial * GLYSDI --- Maximus/2 3.01 * Origin: PC Emporium BBS * Boca Raton, FL * 407-994-3690 (1:3638/5) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 231 RECOVERY Ref: D3R00001 Date: 03/20/96 From: DANN BROWN Time: 09:49am \/To: ALL (Read 0 times) Subj: Re: The Wall I was told whenever I thought I was beginning to make sense to make sure I got another opinion. Some days are good, and some days are bad. And some days are just - days. It a lot like life. Heck, it IS life! "Nothing changes if nothing changes." EVERYTHING changes! It just doesn't supprise me anymore. If I do nothing, the worst situation will eventually change. (And choosing to do nothing is a choice, BTW.) However, the Program tells me I can change the things I can. I feel the Wisdom part comes with acceptance. In the five stages of grief, the last is acceptance. That was described to me as a void - the emptiness immediately following the purging of pain. The great "Let Go." Now, the question is, what do we allow to fill the vaccuum? Story time: Throughout my Spiritual Journey, I found many new freedoms and happinesses. I start off with a hesitant walk, looking from side to side, and slowly pick up a little speed with my new-found confidence. Before I know it, I'm running in the wind, hair in my face, smiling from ear to ear - you got the picture! And WHAM! I run into THE WALL -"The Worst That Could Happen!" Oh no! Where'd this come from? No problem, nothing I can't handle, not now. Just didn't hit it hard enough... After the Nth time, sitting on my butt - exhausted and bruised - the obvious comes to me. I can't get through it, Soooo... I'll go around it! I start off to the right with a hesitant walk, looking from side to side, and slowly pick up a little speed with my new-found confidence. Before I know it, I'm running in the wind, hair in my face, smiling from ear to ear - and I run a long time, until I get exhausted. Then the obvious comes to me. I'm going the wrong way! Soooo... I turn around and head to the left with a hesitant walk, looking from side to side, and slowly pick up a little speed with my new-found confidence. Before I know it, I'm running in the wind, hair in my face, smiling from ear to ear - and I run a long, long time, until I get exhausted. This isn't working... This wall IS "The Worst That Could Happen!" Maybe I didn't hit it hard enough, I think. Maybe there's a weak spot I didn't see. Maybe, If I had a longer lead... Yeah, I just didn't see it before, now I KNOW it's there! A longer lead, hit the weak point, and I'm over this aggrevation! Yeah! Over this...aggr... Over this? Hmmm... Battered and bruised and exhausted, I slowly walk away from THE WALL to get a different perspective. Then I see it. It wasn't a wall at all... It was the end of the next STEP... And as I look behind me, I see that each time my progress was interupted by THE WALL, there was a new STEP to take me to the next level of my Spiritual Journey. The worst that could happen was ALWAYS the best that could happen. I just couldn't see it from where I stood. Moral of the story of THE WALL? Get over it! Luv Ya, Dann "When the wind blows through the hole in the soul, we all shiver." ... Today is a gift. That's why the call it "the present"... ___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.12 --- Maximus 2.02 * Origin: Nurse Corner BBS - Orlando, FL (1:363/15) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 231 RECOVERY Ref: D3R00002 Date: 03/20/96 From: DANN BROWN Time: 10:21am \/To: WES FITZSIMMONS (Read 0 times) Subj: Re: It's been a L O N G -=> Quoting Wes Fitzsimmons to Bruce Williams <=- WF> great 48, it's in the planning for 4 April to 8 April in Orlando FL. WF> Anyone here posting from there abouts? Posting from the Greater Orlando Area! CLUB SODA CENTRAL 228 East Semoran Boulevard Casselberry, Fl 32707 (407) 332-9999 Roughly 10 minutes from the airport! We're two blocks from the intersection of State Road 436 and U.S. Highway 17-92. Non-alcoholic drug-free Coffee House "Alternative" for adults. Open seven days, so call anytime. Where in Orlando will you be staying? Some EXCELLENT recovery in this area, Wes. Let me know how I can help... Dann ... DENIAL: "I'm not really a karaholic. I'm just a problem singer." ___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.12 --- Maximus 2.02 * Origin: Nurse Corner BBS - Orlando, FL (1:363/15) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 231 RECOVERY Ref: D3R00003 Date: 03/21/96 From: RAIN Time: 03:23am \/To: WES FITZSIMMONS (Read 0 times) Subj: New to these echoes... -> Ok, now it's your turn... Whatchoo been up to? Moving (ugh); writing a lot, and getting an article in the Grapevine (Feb. '96, "No Secondhand Gods"); losing my wonderful and adored old pooch to cancer; getting an almost equally wonderful kitten and surviving her adolescence (kitty-tracks on the walls, the ceiling, the other cat, and my entire body); helping get my brother through the death of his wife; planning what I'm going to plant in the windowboxes and on the fire escape; learning a new Tarot deck and beginning to study Quabala a little. And of course, staying sober. Not as exciting as yours, but that's not to say I envy you. It must've been hell down there for awhile. --- WILDMAIL!/WC v4.11 * Origin: Louisville Hot House (1:2320/180.0) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 231 RECOVERY Ref: D3R00004 Date: 03/20/96 From: TREE WALSH Time: 10:45pm \/To: DENNIS LALUMIERE (Read 0 times) Subj: Hi Hi Dennis, I check this group daily and unfortunately there's not been much happening here...perhaps that'll change Tree * 1st 1.11 ~ The problem with the future is it turns into the present. --- QScan/PCB v1.19b / 01-0150 * Origin: Ability OnLine - Toronto Canada - 416 650-5411 (1:250/518) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 231 RECOVERY Ref: D3R00005 Date: 03/20/96 From: LINDA GLOVER Time: 07:02am \/To: MARGE CLARK (Read 0 times) Subj: Re: Sober Daze > I thought I heard Linda Glover (1:289/1) say: > ->>Don't you have an anniversary coming up this month too :-)!!!? Never > can > ->>remember the date...refresh my memory, please. > yes dear...today be the day. ;-) and when do/did you turn eight on > us? Congrats! Like I told you on the phone yesterday, being SEVEN means you can play with the big kids now 'cuz you are one of them!!!! On the 22nd...Friday...two more daze!!! Can't believe it's been that long :-)!!! > (eight is enough? i don't THINK so ;-) Absolutely not...will go for another eight...odaat of course. () Linda --- DB 1.54/004780 * Origin: The Bearly Bored HST 573-581-6717 1:289/1 (1:289/1) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 231 RECOVERY Ref: D3R00006 Date: 03/22/96 From: SHADOWCAT Time: 01:59am \/To: DENNIS LALUMIERE (Read 0 times) Subj: MARCH Rules --- Maximus 2.02 * Origin: Awakening - Lakewood WA (206)582-5579 HST16/V32b/VFC/V34 (1:138/102) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 231 RECOVERY Ref: D3R00007 Date: 03/22/96 From: SHADOWCAT Time: 02:01am \/To: WES FITZSIMMONS (Read 0 times) Subj: something you said... Greetings, and thanks for writing! BUT: [[g]] I'm dumber than I look. What did you mean when you said: "... find ES& H you can relate to, that's cool... " What is "ES&H"??? It's probably something so elemental and in front of my face I will groan, but I have thought and thought about it (offline) and have to ask. All that came into my mind was a silly formula from when I was a kid: F U N E X? S, V F X. F U N E M? S, V F M. OK, L F M N X! Now, I KNOW that isn't what you mean, but I was overcome with a need to share this. Back, though, to what was being said: about the analogy to a chair of two group meetings that caused disharmony amongst members? I don't think the root of this is in that the individual was a member of two programs. Rather, it seems to me that this is one of those cases of "principles over personalities" from the traditions... It's my experience that SOME people in recovery really like to hear themselves talk, and can get fixated at HOW recovered they are, rather than in simply BEING in recovery. That this individual you speak of was part of more than one program has nothing to do with the problem that his presence caused. I have met people who are plenty full of themselves, in and out of recovery, and some of them can be insufferable bores, too. I had to find my way through more than one 12 step program before I learned to listen to others with humility, and progressed to where I didn't have an overwhelming need to "blow my own horn" all the time. Maybe I would have made this progress in just one room, but over time, this is just how it was for me. I say a prayer for this person you spoke of, that they will reach a better understanding about their own needs and the needs of the groups and all that, and I hope that you don't mistake the steps they are taking as they find their own way for an example of what being in two program threads will evoke. I truly don't believe that the traits you described (being unable to meet committments and letting their group/groups down) were a result of their "trying to walk with unmatched shoes on" (as I've heard it described). Anyhow, please let me know what ES & H stands for. I'm majorly curious, even though I shudder to think it's probably so obvious! (Que puedo sur ton tonto) arriverderci a bientot ttyl Shadowcat --- Maximus 2.02 * Origin: Awakening - Lakewood WA (206)582-5579 HST16/V32b/VFC/V34 (1:138/102)