Pink Cloud...

[KaiK]

I would appreciate any input you guys can give me on the "pink cloud." God willing, I will have 30 days on Thursday, and I am really feeling hopeful and just plain good about how things are going in my life right now. I know I am probably riding that "pink cloud," and I'd just really like to know how to keep these feelings that have come with finally trying to do the right thing in my life and finally having the willingness to work the program. I know it's unrealistic to think that this happiness will last forever, but is it unrealistic to think that I could possibly keep this feeling of contentment? I don't want to keep looking over my shoulder and waiting for the other shoe to fall... I'm really liking this new positive outlook I have... The negativity in my life has gone on for waaayyy too long!

Thanks,

Kai

[WendyS]

I love that 'pink cloud' feeling. You will have days when you don't feel as content or positive, but they lessen with time. Try to stay connected with the way you got there in the first place. It really helped me to list all of the things I was thankful for each day and to ask for strength each day.
Ride the wave baby, you are in a great place!!!!
W

[Signal30]

If you work the AA program to your absolute best ability by working the steps with your sponsor, give all your character defects and shortcomings to your Higher Power, listen in meetings, provide service work (not just in AA but your life), you will experience what the Ninth Step promises well....Promise!

Instead of being up on that pink cloud you will be able to see any silver lining in the darkest could with your feet planted firmly on the ground. You will be able to handle ANYTHING that comes your way. You will be able to live life on life's terms.

Be patient, God has you right where you are exactly supposed to be right now.


Tom

[RufusACanal]

Wooow look at those legs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Signal30]

Rufus don't hate cause you ain't me!!! LOL!

Yeah hiking shorts tend to be higher up the leg than I personally care for. But if hiking shorts are too long they tend to chafe. There's nothing worse then having to pull down your shorts 10 miles into the trail and powder your crotch like a baby. Been, there, done that, not pretty for another hiker to round the bend of the trail and see that scene.


Tom

[CarolD]

To stay excited about my recovery...
I share it with newcomers.
....Works great for me!

Congratulations on your sber time

[FightingIrish]

Thanks, now that image is going to stick in my mind for a little while. ;-)

Originally Posted by Signal30

Rufus don't hate cause you ain't me!!! LOL!

Yeah hiking shorts tend to be higher up the leg than I personally care for. But if hiking shorts are too long they tend to chafe. There's nothing worse then having to pull down your shorts 10 miles into the trail and powder your crotch like a baby. Been, there, done that, not pretty for another hiker to round the bend of the trail and see that scene.


Tom

[Rob B]

So often I hear of the mystical pink cloud, I offer this consideration:

Is it possible that the "pink cloud" is actually God's Grace?

My experience confirms this, I have never felt better inside, I am at peace. Yeah, I have crummy days sometimes, life does happen, but I am able to carry myself with dignity and rise above situational stuff. My book promises me I can meet calamity with serentiy, this has been my experience.

Pink Cloud, I don't know, I believe it is God's grace, I believe it is available to all who truly seek, and I believe it will last for a life time if I continue to surrender.

One last bit of unsolicited advice: never let anyone talk you out of or downplay the significance of an experience with your higher power.

[Tazman53]

My sponsor told me that I could ride that pink cloud forever if I stayed on top of my program. That does not mean that life will be a bed of roses forever, but it does mean that I will be able to deal with life on lifes terms as long as I maintain my spiritual condition fit.

[tkdan]

I'm really liking this new positive outlook I have... The negativity in my life has gone on for waaayyy too long!

I know for me alcoholism and negativity went hand in hand. It is something I need to be mindful of today. My pink cloud was short lived. I think that was because I had this delusion that by not drinking life would all of a sudden be perfect (my kids would listen, my wife and I would never disagree, things at work would always be great).
I realize now if I'm not having the pink cloud feeling it is my own doing. I'm either making more out of a situation than need be, or jumping to conclusions without all of the facts. This all comes down to my failure to maintain an open line of communication with my HP.

[gravity]

Originally Posted by Rob B

My experience confirms this, I have never felt better inside, I am at peace. Yeah, I have crummy days sometimes, life does happen, but I am able to carry myself with dignity and rise above situational stuff. My book promises me I can meet calamity with serentiy, this has been my experience.

This is my experience as well. Personally, I find the term "pink cloud" to imply only a temporary, almost artificial state. I find that when I am focused & my thoughts/actions are in accordance with my spiritual beliefs, I am able to address the most difficult situations with strength, dignity, and (hard for me to believe sometimes) gratitude. These situations would have left me bitter & full of self-pity only a few short months ago - or I would have avoided them all together. It is only when I wander back to my old, self-centered, egotistical way of thinking that I lose this inner peace.

I am finding this peace to be more & more my normal state. I hope that I never take it for granted, that I remember where I came from, that I always honor & appreciate everything that I have been blessed with.

[ananda]

I would agree - it is the ultimate "staying in the moment" Wish I did that better.

When I first got sober I think things were so scarry I had to stay in the now or drink....therefore the "pink cloud".

[youngANDsober]

The level of my contentedness almost always seems proportionate to the amount of work I am doing in my program. I was probably on this so-called "pink cloud" in my second month. Coming up on my sixth month, I am no longer on this cloud, but I don't believe I magically descended. Four months ago I was hitting seven meetings a week, working on my steps every day, kept constant contact with my HP, hitting my knees every morning and night, etc. I can't say the same of my efforts lately, so it makes sense to me why I would feel hot as I did at two months. I can and will get back there though.

Congrats Kai on your 30 days today!

[CarolD]

Congratulations on your 30 days!

[KaiK]

And again, I say:





Tho' I've had 30 days before, it's truly amazing to me how simply (???!!) immersing myself in the AA program brings about such a radical change in my life. I have fallen in love with AA all over again. Thanks you for your replies...it means so much to me!

Kai

[tkdan]

Tho' I've had 30 days before, it's truly amazing to me how simply (???!!) immersing myself in the AA program brings about such a radical change in my life.

I know for me it has made a major difference. I believe that I'm getting the tools needed to deal with life with a clear head. Something I could not do before no matter how much sober time I managed to get. Thank you for this thread it is very encouraging.

[kj3880]

I'm on the "pink cloud" at 31 days today. I like to think of it as being "in love with sobriety." And after a few months maybe it'll be like other loves, more mellow, but joyful in a different way. So what? We should be able to enjoy the first flush of love, shouldn't we? Don't let them take it away from you. Don't be part of the "glum lot." We worked hard to get here this month. Let's enjoy the moment!
kj

[phunky rich]

you guys are not on a "pink cloud"..you're experiencing God's grace. It's amazing what the this program can do if we give it a shot.