What I've learned in AA was put to the test.

[Signal30]

Yesterday, I took my sponsor hiking with me at an area that I really enjoy. He has never gone there before and very much enjoyed the day trip. We parked my truck at a trail head and walked a short trail that had sandstone rock shelters, and arches. As we returned to my truck, we loaded our packs and as I got into the drivers seat, I noticed a note under my windshield wiper.

The note said, "Sorry I hit your truck when backing out. Here's my information etc...." I inspected my truck and saw my passenger side quarter panel completely pushed in. I let out a deep sigh, and did what needed to be done (I didn't get angry.) I called the police. A ranger showed up two hours later (I didn't get angry.) While waiting, I called my insurance company and talked to someone who was apparently having a bad day, and my phone dropped the call three times during the conversation because I was in a remote area, (I didn't get angry.) The ranger arrived and advised me that he couldn't do accident reports, and the county sheriff and state police were all busy, and I would have to respond to the sheriffs office and fill out a citizen police report, (I didn't get angry.) The ranger gave me directions to the sheriffs office. The ranger was new to the area and gave me the wrong directions. I had to backtrack, ask a gas station clerk, and two hours of overall driving I finally found the sheriffs office (I didn't get angry.) When I got there I had to fill out my own accident report in a office full of deputies and state police not doing anything, (I didn't get angry.) By then it was getting late and we had to go home. We were only able to hike two trails that day, (I didn't get angry.)

Thank God for AA. Before recovery the above incidents would of set me off in a fit of rage. I would have feelings of wrath and resentment that would of definitely made me drink.

Instead of anger and hatred. I was grateful that the person took responsibility for their actions by leaving their information. They could of hit me, left, and they would of never been found, leaving me to pay the $500.00 deductible for the damages. I was grateful that the damage wasn't worse than it could of been. The damage could of been worse rendering my truck undrivable. I'm grateful that my sponsor was with me during all of this.

Most of all I'm grateful for the program of AA. If it wasn't for what I learned in the program, It could of been a lot worse because of my attitude and actions resulting from everything that happened.

Patience, tolerance, acceptance, and being spiritually fit, gives me a "Teflon" coating where people and situations seem to roll off a whole lot easier.

I was able to get some good pictures. The one below is a picture of Sky Bridge a large sandstone arch.






Tom

[best]

Good job

As I was reading, I was waiting for something like this....
After all that happened and not getting angry...you fill up the truck and the price of gas sent you through the roof. *LOL*

Works well when the other person is angry as well.
I hit a car 5 MPH crash. SUV vs a little nissan. Scratch on my SUV, $2,000 damage to the car. The guy gets out yelling up a storm.
I just reached over, grabbed two pieces of paper, a pen and my Registration.
The guy not seeing me react to his rage...he calmed down and just said...Ya know, you are right. The insurance will cover this.

Doors can be replaced a lot easier then toes would heal from kicking the ground.
Knuckle cuts? I have had enough of them as well.

[Tazman53]

Tom things like that are where working the steps and living them pay the big dividends! My life is so much more peaceful since I quit trying to correct the entire world around me and simply accept things that happen at face value and simply take the actions that need to be taken to deal with them.

[Signal30]

As stated before it could of been a lot worse. It could of been more damaged, it could of been seriously vandalized and or broken into which has happened to others peoples vehicles in the past. I could of fallen off a cliff. I could of been made to squeal like a pig to some lonely "local folk". A lot of other bad things could of happened.

During all of the incidents that happened yesterday, a few times, I had to pause and say to myself, "I'm amazed I'm not pi$$ed off right now." Amazing.


Tom

[best]

Originally Posted by Signal30

During all of the incidents that happened yesterday, a few times, I had to pause and say to myself, "I'm amazed I'm not pi$$ed off right now." Amazing.


Tom

Serenity

What a feeling.

[Tazman53]

I had to pause and say to myself, "I'm amazed I'm not pi$$ed off right now." Amazing.

Me too Tom, the program is amazing!!!!

[Signal30]

"Thou who shows patience, receives results." (Me trying to sound smart...lol.)

My insurance got a hold of their insurance, and I should be expecting a call from them within 24 hours. I spoke to the girl who hit my truck. I thanked here for being honest. She replied, "No problem, I would want someone to do the same if it happened to me."

I might get a rental car to donuts in YEEEEEEHAWL!!! (JK)



Tom




Tom

[Astro]

Tom, thanks for leading by example. Nuff' said. (Signed, The King Of Road Rage)

PS: What a beautiful area!

[serenityqueen]

Well done my friend! A few weeks ago when I went to have some testing done at the hospital, my day went pretty much like that. One issue after the other, stacking up like pancakes at IHOP! One thing right after the other. It finally got to the point where I had two choices, just start laughing or just start flipping out. I too choose to let it roll off.

I do have two questions I'd like to ask you as well as anyone else who would care to answer.

1. I know when some things are happening where the "old Judy" would have went balistic, as the situation is unfolding, in the back of my mind I'll think, wow, you know, you should be mad as hell right now and you're not! Or do others realize it later on?

2. The gorgous picture you included, isn't that also known as the Natural Bridge in Kentucky? Sure looks like it to me!

Glad a potential situation didn't cause you to explode like the "old Tom" would have let it.

God Bless,
Judy

[Zanthos]

Nice job, Tom. Thanks for sharing how you've learned and changed!

[CarolD]

You did walk the talk Tom....

[Signal30]

Originally Posted by serenityqueen

1. I know when some things are happening where the "old Judy" would have went balistic, as the situation is unfolding, in the back of my mind I'll think, wow, you know, you should be mad as hell right now and you're not! Or do others realize it later on?

2. The gorgous picture you included, isn't that also known as the Natural Bridge in Kentucky? Sure looks like it to me!

As far as yesterday went I realized it as it was happening through out the day. Then afterward, I was realizing how much worse it could of been and was grateful.

And your close. It's in the Red River Gorge area which is right next to Natural Bridge State park. (It's all basically the same area.) It's Sky Bridge. We didn't get a chance to go into the park area and see Natural Bridge. Next time I will.


Tom

[bballdad]

good job Tom and a great pic.

thanks for setting a great example of alcoholics anonymous

[Signal30]

I'm just sharing my E.S.H.

Remember, the buddy I was hiking with was my sponsor. What better person to have next to you when something crappy happens.

It's just a truck. It will get fixed. It's a F-150, not a GT-40.



Tom

[best]

Tom

Your story about your day was a telling how a sober life can be a life filled with serenity in any storm.
I was thinking and remembering the picture you posted.

You know what else the day was?
Two guys enjoying life and seeing the beauty of nature before you.
A fine example of how life is still enjoyable ( more so) when we are sober.

Two friends enjoying the day, even with the storms that the day brought about.

Great picture, posted and in words as well.

[Signal30]

A followup.

Had an estimate done on the damage to my truck. $1800.00 and some change. The father of the girl who hit my truck called me and tried to offer to write me a check for the damage so his daughters rates wouldn't go up. Unfortunately I could not accept his offer because he wanted me to get several estimates and I don't have the time. I'm sure he wouldn't want to pay my rental car. I do my best to help others, but I have been told by MANY people not to accept a check because of potential future problems.

Oh well. Everything seems to be getting done, and I have been able to still maintain my serenity.


Tom

[nandm]

Tom, I have to say sobriety looks great on you. Your wife and son are blessed.

I do have to say that you handled it better than I did two years ago when I got rear ended while stopped at a crosswalk for a pedestrian. I can still clearly remember the first words out of my mouth to the young man who hit me "ARE YOU STUPID!" Not a very spiritual thing to say and it forced me to do some step work around the situation.