Living Sober - First things First

[RufusACanal]

"First Things First"
Here's an old saying that has special, strong meaning for us. Simply stated, it is this: Above all other concerns, we must remember that we cannot drink. Not drinking is the first order of business for us, anywhere any time, under any circumstances.

Some have asked us, "Does this mean you rank sobriety ahead of family, job, and the opinion of friends?"

When we view alcholism as the life-or-death matter it is, the answer is plain. If we do not save our health — our lives — then certainly we will have no family, no job, and no friends. If we value family, job, and friends, we must first save our own lives in order to cherish all three.

[barb dwyer]

agreed.

[sugErspun]

Originally Posted by RufusACanal

Not drinking is the first order of business for us, anywhere any time, under any circumstances.

Amazing how different 'not drinking' looks when you have gone through the steps and had the experience.

What used to seem like hard work, suddenly becomes simplicity. Hard to put into words....


Thanks Rufus

[RufusACanal]

Perfectly said my friend.

[paulmh]

My ESH on this - when not drinking WASN'T my number one priority I always drank.

[Treasure2Find]

We feel that elimination of our drinking is but a beginning. A much more important demonstration of our principles lies before us in our respective homes, occupations and affairs.

Thank you for your thread and again found it apropos.

[Rob B]

I have a first things first sticker hanging on my garage wall, I won it at a raffle when I was newly sober. Like many principles in AA the meaning of this statement has changed for me as I have grown in understanding and effectiveness. At first it meant my sobriety comes 1st. I have said many times that my sobriety is the most important thing in my life. At the time I meant it.

Several surrenders later and a deeper understanding of my alcoholism has changed this perception. I am in deep trouble if the one thing I claim to be most precious to me, sobriety, is the one thing I have no power choice or control in bringing about.

I don't know how to stay sober. God keeps me sober. As has been mentioned recently on these boards, the only choice I'll ever have to make again is this. God is everything or nothing. From this choice my life springs. So first things first is a good reminder that I need to see to it that my relationship with my creator is right.

[Signal30]

When you make your physical sobriety top priority. You then can get emotional sobriety. With both of those you become a good father, mother , brother, sister, son, daughter, friend, etc.

Following the proper courses of action, those who didn't understand putting first things first begin to see it working in your lives. They no longer question you.


Tom