Easier softer way

[CAPTAINZING2000]

I for one wanted my pain and suffering to magically disappear the moment I walked thru the doors of AA. Much to my surprise, I was told, we had to work for our sobriety and serenity.

It took what it took and many 24 hours to gain an inner peace. Sometimes quickly and sometimes slowly.

I watch so often, many people come in and go back out to pick up their misery again.

I often think of the cliche's , keep coming back, don't give up until the miracle happens. Far too often, these words fall upon deaf ears.

We're in a society of instant gratification.

I wouldn't give up what everything I had to go thru to get me here.
I've gotten a deeper sense of appreciation for my sobriety.

[Ago]

I actually found, for me, AA was the easier softer way.

If you stick around for even a short time, you will find we have a "Research and Development" Dept. that will ably demonstrate what trying to find other "easier softer ways" looks like.

I choose to leave R and D to others.

[IO Storm]

I entered Research and Development ..six times!

My career coincided with my City job as a test dummy..jaywalker.

AA was too hard..Step 3, God?

I was running from Him..no way!

Step 4? Nuh Uh! Scary.

Step 8? You gotta be kidding...

In between..couldn't give up my speed pills..I might get too tired on the job.

I might not have enough energy to gamble after staying up all night..(the night before that.)

Fear.

Plain old unadulterated fear. It kept me from going in too far..and kept me from

going back too soon. And ego..sheeeesh!

Now that I'm in, really in..it is easy compared to what is was like before.

Before was hell. For me and everyone who cared.

It is so much softer, and so much easier...

[tommyk]

I followed a 12 step plan to recovery.

It was all laid out for me, but I had to take the steps along the path.

[CAPTAINZING2000]

Too often, people coming want to use the elevator instead of the steps!!

[IO Storm]

Great shares guys...and so much truth in both.

[bballdad]

my step escalator broke down and I was stranded for a yr once.
Then I took the steps and found they was the easier softer way.

[CAPTAINZING2000]

Originally Posted by bballdad

my step escalator broke down and I was stranded for a yr once.
Then I took the steps and found they was the easier softer way.

you were lucky it stranded you instead of taking you to your bottom !!

[Tazman53]

Captain I wanted 20 years within a week, I am so thankful that the booze had kicked my butt well enough for me to listen to the old timers when they told me that this was not an over night deal, it was not instantanious, that it took time and work. I am going on 3 years in Sept. and I am just starting to see some peace and serenity. Do not get me wrong, my life has been 1,000% better then it was for a good while now, but I am just now starting on occasion seeing real peace and serenity in my life on occasions.

Keep coming back and not leaving until the miracle happens are so true and sadly so many of us do not have the patience to wait for that miracle.

[IO Storm]

Taz,

I can relate to your story..

I had a miraculous experience, but I suppose my HP gave me one of those to save me

from myself. Suicide..a bottom so severe I didn't want to try again.

But..the coming back..the "living through it"..not an overnight deal, and not

instantaneous. Walking through the Steps has made it not only bearable..

I looked forward to them this time around.

They , and the principles of the program have enabled me to finally be able to face life on life's terms.

This is something I have never been able to do before.

[Tomas]

We live in society where there is too much static on the information waves.....People can't hear loud and clear..Many are growing deaf...It's sad..

[IO Storm]

Care to elaborate T?

I'm listening.