Wishing for the End

[RufusACanal]

"Now and then a serious drinker, being dry at the moment says, "I don't miss it at all. Feel better. Work better. Having a better time." As ex-alcoholics, we smile at such a sally. We know our friend is like a boy whistling in the dark to keep up his spirits. He fools himself. Inwardly he would give anything to take half a dozen drinks and get away with them. He will presently try the old game again, for he isn't happy about his sobriety. He cannot picture life without alcohol. Some day he will be unable to imagine life either with alcohol or without it. Then he will know loneliness such as few do. He will be at the jumping-off place. He will wish for the end."

[Boleo]

Stopping is one thing. Staying stopped is a whole new ball-game. I wish I had a dollar for every time I thought I had achieved permanent sobriety.

It was not until I realized the 10th step promise that I knew for certain I would never have to drink again:

"We will see that our new attitude toward liquor has been given us without any thought or effort on our part. It just comes! That is the miracle of it. We are not fighting it, neither are we avoiding temptation. We feel as though we had been placed in a position of neutrality—safe and protected. We have not even sworn off. Instead, the problem has been removed. It does not exist for us." (page 85)

[Astro]

Originally Posted by RufusACanal

Some day he will be unable to imagine life either with alcohol or without it. Then he will know loneliness such as few do. He will be at the jumping-off place. He will wish for the end."

I remember that place very well. Thanks for the reminder Ron.

[Rob B]

Originally Posted by RufusACanal

"Now and then a serious drinker, being dry at the moment says, "I don't miss it at all. Feel better. Work better. Having a better time." As ex-alcoholics, we smile at such a sally. We know our friend is like a boy whistling in the dark to keep up his spirits. He fools himself. Inwardly he would give anything to take half a dozen drinks and get away with them. He will presently try the old game again, for he isn't happy about his sobriety. He cannot picture life without alcohol. Some day he will be unable to imagine life either with alcohol or without it. Then he will know loneliness such as few do. He will be at the jumping-off place. He will wish for the end."

It is from this place that my willingness to find God was born. It is my experience and observation from working with others that only from this place will a man see he is down to two choices, the spiritual path or death.

[Pinkcuda]

Originally Posted by RufusACanal

"Now and then a serious drinker, being dry at the moment says, "I don't miss it at all. Feel better. Work better. Having a better time." As ex-alcoholics, we smile at such a sally. We know our friend is like a boy whistling in the dark to keep up his spirits. He fools himself. Inwardly he would give anything to take half a dozen drinks and get away with them. He will presently try the old game again, for he isn't happy about his sobriety. He cannot picture life without alcohol. Some day he will be unable to imagine life either with alcohol or without it. Then he will know loneliness such as few do. He will be at the jumping-off place. He will wish for the end."

The word "Will" is always followed by a promise in the BB (refer to Pg 83)
This puts emphasis on the steps and finding sobriety. Anybody can quit drinking. It takes stepwork and God to enjoy it.

[psyk0]

Originally Posted by RufusACanal

Some day he will be unable to imagine life either with alcohol or without it. Then he will know loneliness such as few do.

Hell...

sheer hell

glad those days are over

[nandm]

The jumping off place is a place I was glad to finally get to. Not because it was a fun place to be but because it was the place I had to go to finally find sobriety. Only when I could see that I could no longer go on drinking was I able to truly seek with all my being a life without alcohol. Until then it was far too easy for me to find any excuse to drink no matter how long ago I had sworn off. My self will always failed me until I was at that jumping off place and ready to accept my powerlessness over alcohol. Through my powerlessness I found power in life and happiness.

[Tazman53]

He will presently try the old game again, for he isn't happy about his sobriety. He cannot picture life without alcohol. Some day he will be unable to imagine life either with alcohol or without it. Then he will know loneliness such as few do. He will be at the jumping-off place. He will wish for the end."

I remember it well, me and the 4 horsemen sitting in my garage, I stared death in the face, I was alone and scared, those damned horsemen.......... scared and alone I surrendered to what ever or who ever could help me stop drinking and stay stopped.