over confidence

[chip]

I've got to watch myself, and make sure I don't get over confident or complacent. When I do, I often loose touch with my HR. I thought I'd be more likely to fall off the wagon when life wasn't treating me well...as opposed to...things are going great and I feel invincible. I could just as eaisly pick up a drink because life is fantastic, as I could because things really suck.

I don't think a relapse, for me anyway, would be a sudden thing...out of the blue. Feeling over confident and cocky tonight wasn't going to drive me to the liqour store. Over time, however, over confidence/cocky-ness could slowly lead me back towards familiar stomping grounds........ When I was drinking heavy, I could never be wrong. Everything was about ME. I didn't care what anybody thought about ME, and I was fighting my battles ALONE.

I got on my knees tonight, and prayed to my HR that I could be a part of God's plans.....I prayed that I could do things God's way, not my own. When I do things my own way, I drink.
chip

[Phinneas]

Originally Posted by chip

I could just as eaisly pick up a drink because life is fantastic, as I could because things really suck.

I got on my knees tonight, and prayed to my HR that I could be a part of God's plans.....I prayed that I could do things God's way, not my own. When I do things my own way, I drink.

Wise, wise words.

For me, staying connected is the number one most important thing I need to do and be every day. The rest matters, of course, but my god removed the desire and obsession for drink and drugs from me and that's my bottom line. (I sure didn't do it myself.) A friend in recovery often says, I don't take credit for my sobriety, but I do take care of it.

[Music]

I agree with Phinny. Wise words and good to learn as early as possible. Just like people lurk on this site and then when the time is right, leap in. That next drink is doing the same thing. That stinkin' thinkin' is always there. It's just that when I have the presence of mind, I can push it back out of the way and replace those thoughts with healthy things to think about. Constant vigilance!!!

[KelKel]

Boy can I relate to this thread...
I have learned that when things are going good in my life and I amfeeling on top O' the world, is the time I need to be most on my toes....
It is when the beast stir's in its sleep and feeds me a big line of BS.
Today I am on my toes and plan to have another sober day, thanks ya'll

[Sugah]

Good stuff.

I've had some of these same fears, as life just seems to get better and better here (gee....long time since my kids woke up in the morning and checked to see if I was alive...). Sometimes, that fear of things becoming "too good" creeps in - and I start to fall into my planned failure trap. You know - where you sabotage success, create drama, and make it "all about me" again? I've done it.

I talked to my sponsor about this. She gave me the suggestion that's kept a drink or drug becoming necessary, no matter how good or bad things have been. Be grateful!! When something good happens, thank the HP. When something bad happens, thank the HP for the lessons learned and the ability to get through it clean & sober. Constant gratitude is my insurance against a drink -- a grateful heart will not drink (see my title).

There are as many gifts of sobriety as there are sober people. We shouldn't have to fear recieving them, but sometimes, that act of concentrating on the problems (and the drama) is what we use to keep our eyes on the prize of sobriety. With gratitude for all of life's gifts, that prize is always in front of us.

Practice these principles in all our affairs....

Hang in there - and keep praying, chip!

Peace & Love,
Sug

[chip]

Suga- I like what you said about having a grateful heart. Those are some good words.

That next drink is out there, lurking, waiting for the right time to wreak havoc. Music's chilling comparison to the lurker on the site, and the next drink is very real to me.

Today, I was telling myself that as long as I'm trying to do God's will, my HR's calling.....drinking remains out of the picture for me. For me, I think the key is to never stray too far from my HR. When over confidence creeps into my psyche...bring in some humility to level things out. I can't take credit for my sobriety either, Phinny, but I sure want to take care of it! When the beast is asleep, it stirs.....as Kelkel says.

I wish every one another 24 hours of sobriety, not "dry drunks", but quality sobriety.
chip

[fraankie]

over confidence

yep, it's a bummer
i try to be very viliglant
and
be humble
i don't want to start feeling i'm superior
and
don't need AA

best
fraankie

[Kurt]

Know the feeling.......invinsible confidence. It is the time to keep up the old guard & evaluate your steps.

[jmhs002]

Hi Chip

Alcohol...cunning, baffling, powerful. You have to be aware at all times!
JMHS

[chip]

Cunning, baffling, and powerful is right! I'm one drink away from chaos, and it's looking for a way to get into my life. My addiction is always looking to be fed again.
chip