IMPOSSIBLE to stay sober without...

[KaiK]

Spirituality. The moment I find myself (LITERALLY the MOMENT) forgetting God, I am in relapse mode. More and more I KNOW without a shadow of a doubt, that whenever I "forget" to do morning meditations, or "forget" to pray... I will drink again... And It's hard coming back from that. (I AM still sober, tho'.)

Tell me your thoughts on working the steps with or without your Higher Power.

Thanks...

Kai

[Astro]

I honestly can't say it's impossible Kai, I just know that working a 12 Step program in AA, and having a God of my understanding is what works for me. I spent a long time searching for that easier, softer way, and came to realize it was right in front of my nose every time "How It Works" was read.

But there are people out there who are staying sober without having a spiritual program. They've found what works for them. Personally, I'm happy for anyone who finds something that will keep them clean and sober.

[KaiK]

Thanks, Astro. What I've come to find, after 6 or so years of trying to get and stay sober is that anytime I have relapsed, it's because I've lost whatever tiny bit of spirituality I had believed I had gotten at the time. THIS time, tho, WITHOUT treatment, I am finally finding that without my daily meditations I am pretty much nothing. UNLESS I wake up in the morning and read my meditations and actually TALK to God and ask Him to guide my steps for the day, I am pretty much doomed. My will NEVER works, PERIOD. The very best days that I have had, I have asked that I may be of service to someone else. Whenever I "forget" to "forget" myself, THAT'S when I find that I usually falter...

Thanks,

Kai

PS.... To those of you who don't know... I am a GIRL!!!!

Anyone who would like to be my friend at this point would be very welcome, as I have not had anyone ask yet so far!!!!

[AW2486]

Nice Topic

Things always seem to go better when I turn my thinking and actions over to my HP.

The thing I try hard to work on is keeping the pathway clear to my HP, My self will can throw up some dandy obstacles.

I try to keep it simple and do the next right thing, which can be very difficult some days. But I just keep trying

Peace

[tamcor123]

When i came to the program of A.A. i was looking for god and today i dont look any more he finds me right where i am if i willing to surrender,How do i surrender the twelve steps in all my affairs and this has kept me sober for the last 11 years hope it helps.

[ananda]

I have found that to stay sober I have to embrace AA and my personal spiritual path. I've found that alot of people do it other ways, but that's what works best for me. So when someone asks what to do about an alchohol problem I generally say try AA first...it's actually the easiest way to stay sober (I think).

[Dee74]

I respect your view Kai, and I'll never argue the point, but my perspective's different LOL.

I don't believe it's impossible.

I believe in God.
But I don't believe in God 'guiding my steps'. He gave me two legs two arms and a brain for a reason...

He has many much more important things to deal with than my sobriety IMO...
to me I maintain my sobriety, not God....

that being said....I agree wholeheartedly that a true recovery should involve much more than not drinking, including service....and I do try and live my life according to the basic tenets of Christianity...

Maybe we're just looking at things from different angles Kai...whatever works

pleased to meet you, anyway.

D

[GrouchoTheCat]

Well,

Once I made a sincere decision to turn my will and my life over to my higher power, all I can say is that He/She/It has been and is doing things in my life, opening doors, easing the way, granting me peace, that are way beyond what I ever would have expected.

The things that have happened in my life and the people that have been placed in my path are simply amazing, and way beyond coincidence.

Whenever I think about the last 8 months I am amazed and very grateful.

The next time I meet with my sponsor, I will be starting my fourth step.

Hang in there, KaiK, it doesn't just get better, it gets amazing.

[bballdad]

hi Kai
I`m Tommy and I am a chronic,hopeless,helpless alcoholic.At least I was when I came into AA.
Lack of power was my dilemma,as the Big Book says.I have also found I need God in and directing my life daily.I can do the job myself for a short while,but the results are not too good.God does a much better job than I do.
Today was a aggriviating day for me.I went to a meeting tonight.During the meeting we came across several things.One was a question I sometimes ask myself,but today I forgot to ask it.
Where is God in this situation or equation?
God apparently was not there because I was too busy being a busybody,trying to do it myself.
So,that is a example of what happens in my life when I leave God out.If ever a alcoholic needed God,it`s me!
Thanks have a good night!

[Tazman53]

Kaik not sure what step you are on now, but I can tell you that you I drew closer to God as I worked the steps and then began applying them to all areas of my life. As I continue to apply the steps to all my affairs on a daily basis, I find that God is there helping me when I need a hand.

The more I do Gods will and not mine the better my life goes, the more I do my will the closer I come to a drink.

I keep myself sober by doing my best to do Gods will, I have found that as long as I allow God to take care of me, the better my life goes and the more strength God gives me to not even want a drink.