| An O'Douls is a nonalcoholic beer. That's "negotiating," I think. I will stay away from it. It's like keeping the lingerie of an old lover around. Not good for my sanity.
Y'all have a great group here, folks. I'd be proud to be among you, but am unwilling to pay the price. Please don't take that as condescending, it's actually fear.
Some folks "graduate" to other forums, other places here. Although I will have 3 months next week, I keep my attention firmly focused here, in the "two weeks and under" forum. Believe me, it isn't schadenfreude either. Again, it is fear.
By continually reading of the struggles of acceptance and the first few days, it continually reminds me of why I can never, ever negotiate my way back. Anytime the insanity taps me on the shoulder, I simply read this forum.
Stick together, guys. You are a group of folks very worthy and deserving of what others are gaining. You are not unique. You are not different. Put your experiences with relapse together and you will launch each other with collective wisdom. Believe it or not, your wisdom regarding relapse is essential to my sobriety. I consult it daily. Now, put it to use for yourselves.
We may have different times of residence, but we are all in the same lifeboat, folks. The Titanic is gone. There were bands playing and glasses clinking, but it is gone. The only way to revisit it is to test those icy waters and join it on the bottom. You don't want to go there.
I look forward to reading daily of your progress and your camaraderie. A boat full of fellow survivors is better than holding on to a plank in the ocean alone. Someone is always on watch. Spotting the sharks. Picking up the signs of despair. Pulling the other back in the boat.
Grieve all you want, the Titanic is gone. It was not invincible after all. Neither is your lifeboat. Together you can keep it upright and on course. All you have is what you have. You have each other.
friend warren |