The Real Insanity

[RufusACanal]

"But there was always the curious mental phenomenon that parallel with our sound reasoning there inevitably ran some insanely trivial excuse for taking the first drink. Our sound reasoning failed to hold us in check. The insane idea won out. Next day we would ask ourselves, in all earnestness and sincerity, how it could have happened."

How does this mental phenomenon continue to handicap you in your daily affairs? Why do insane ideas win out?

[Astro]

The insane ideas haven't "won out" yet Ron, and as long as I'm practicing a program they don't handicap me.

But often I do think to myself....... Maybe just a couple with dinner.....no one will ever know.......maybe I can drink normally........what if I overreacted and I'm not an alcoholic.......maybe my ex was the one with the problem........who really needs AA anyway........etc.

Time for my daily meeting.

[Ago]

Originally Posted by Astro

The insane ideas haven't "won out" yet Ron, and as long as I'm practicing a program they don't handicap me.

But often I do think to myself....... Maybe just a couple with dinner.....no one will ever know.......maybe I can drink normally........what if I overreacted and I'm not an alcoholic.......maybe my ex was the one with the problem........who really needs AA anyway........etc.

Time for my daily meeting.

Dude STFU

LOLOLOL hahahahaha



I was gonna skip my meeting for today, you fixed that lil red wagon

If you were here I'd kick you in the shin.....omg I'm laughing so hard.....

[Tazman53]

How does this mental phenomenon continue to handicap you in your daily affairs?

Rufus that mental phenomenon does not handicap me today, it has been lifted and as long as I maintain my spiritual condition fit it will remain lifted.

The great fact is just this, and nothing less: That we have had deep and effective spiritual experiences* which have revolutionized our whole attitude toward life, toward our fellows and toward God's universe. The central fact of our lives today is the absolute certainty that our Creator has entered into our hearts and lives in a way which is indeed miraculous. He has commenced to accomplish those things for us which we could never do by ourselves.

Rufus I have had that deep and effective spiritual experience which has revolutionized my whole attitude toward life, toward my fellows and toward God's universe. The central fact of my life today is the absolute certainty that my Creator has entered into my heart and life in a way which is indeed miraculous. He has commenced to accomplish those things for me which I could never do by myself.

That is not permanent, it takes work on my part daily, sometimes hourly, it is a new way of life that I love.

There is a solution and I love it!

[PaulN]

How does this mental phenomenon continue to handicap you in your daily affairs? Why do insane ideas win out?

I don't mean to make lite of this at all but for me, the desire to drink, was removed a long time ago. The occasional desire to change something in those closest to me like an opinion, action or lack of action, has not. I still have a lot of "oh yea" moments. You know, where you you walk into a wall, do it 2 or 3 times then realize, oh yea ... there's a wall there. lol.

I guess for me today and where I am, it makes a lot of sense what someone once shared with me ... this isn't an obstacle, it's an opportunity.

One of the greatest lessons I've learned in AA, is that I'm human. I'm going to get upset, somebody will honk me off, the guy riding my tail on the interstate will always drive me nuts, standing in the checkout line of 10 items or less when the person ahead of me has 20 will make my eyes cross and so forth.

What measures the quality of what I have based on the efforts I've put into taking the steps, determines how I respond. I'd love to say I do it right 100% of the time, but I know there are other alcoholics here and they all know the truth. The simple fact is, it keeps getting better as long as I keep applying the principles.

I can't stay sober alone ... that I do know. I need AA & God. I turn from those two things, I'm cooked.

[RufusACanal]

Think of the insanity, not associated with the first drink.

"It is plain that a life which includes deep resentment leads only to futility and unhappiness. To the precise extent that we permit these, do we squander the hours that might have been worth while. But with the alcoholic, whose hope is the maintenance and growth of a spiritual experience, this business of resentment is infinitely grave. We found that it is fatal. For when harboring such feelings we shut ourselves off from the sunlight of the Spirit. The insanity of alcohol returns and we drink again. And with us, to drink is to die."

Active shortcomings and defects are the precursors to the insanity of the first drink. I realize that the obsession is gone, but the insanity born of shortcomings and defects remains. What defects and or shortcomings do I cling to that seem to still work; Greed, Lust, Sloth and so on?

[RufusACanal]

Why do we play with insanity by holding on to defective thinking and behavior?

[Tommyh]

Ron,we must be insane....lol

Originally Posted by RufusACanal

Why do we play with insanity by holding on to defective thinking and behavior?

[Live]

I am insane when I cling to denial, in part or in whole, to avoid the pain of realities which I cannot change or do not want.

Tena

[miss communicat]

Originally Posted by RufusACanal

Think of the insanity, not associated with the first drink.

"It is plain that a life which includes deep resentment leads only to futility and unhappiness. To the precise extent that we permit these, do we squander the hours that might have been worth while. But with the alcoholic, whose hope is the maintenance and growth of a spiritual experience, this business of resentment is infinitely grave. We found that it is fatal. For when harboring such feelings we shut ourselves off from the sunlight of the Spirit. The insanity of alcohol returns and we drink again. And with us, to drink is to die."

Active shortcomings and defects are the precursors to the insanity of the first drink. I realize that the obsession is gone, but the insanity born of shortcomings and defects remains. What defects and or shortcomings do I cling to that seem to still work; Greed, Lust, Sloth and so on?

lots of food for thought here.

chief among my active shortcomings: isolationism, dishonesty and condescension (arrogance)

for me, these 3 can be fatal if left unchecked.

[Dean62]

Originally Posted by RufusACanal

Why do we play with insanity by holding on to defective thinking and behavior?

Are you saying my ego is insane?

[RufusACanal]

Great Posts.....What if the true person that I am is simply a bystander to my own EGO?

Miss C strikes a cord with me this morning; isolationism, dishonesty and condescension all of which manifest themselves in my demented EGO. I do not isolate except to withhold myself from others who may be beneath me, lie because you are not worth the truth and condescening for the sheer joy of being a *****.

[Tazman53]

Why do we play with insanity by holding on to defective thinking and behavior?

Could it be a matter of taking or retaking steps 6 & 7? Just a thought!

[RufusACanal]

Excellent thought, yet an awareness would needs to take place that the defect or shortcoming is an issue and then the willingness to change.

[Tazman53]

Rufus are you insinuating that one should take all the steps!!! LOL In order yet?