Powerless - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

Iwanttobe1 · 04-27-2007, 07:24 PM

Hi folks,

I have decided to stick around a while after all. There is so much kindness and support here, I don't want to leave.

I went to an AA meeting last night and had a great enlightening that I would like to share. The topic was powerlessness. Being the control freak that I am, the concept was a distant one. There was a lot of talk about being powerless over alcohol. I thought about it for a bit. And I realized, though, I thought I controlled my drinking, I really didn't. It was controlling me. I couldn't stop after one or two and I can't understand anyone who can. Actually, once I started, I could not stop at all. I gain my power over alcohol by realizing I am powerless against it. I just can't take that first drink.

I am beginning to understand my powerlessness in other things too. I can't change people, I can't change the past or the future, or a multitude of other things. So why fret over things? I believe in a HP, I know some here don't and that's OK. But I have to trust in Him and know that He's just going to have to take care of the things that I can't. And for that I am thankful.

The first thing I do in the morning now, is give the day to my HP. Really fast so I don't take any of it back. Then I can relax, enjoy the day and no matter what happens, I do my best and give what I can and let my HP take care of the rest.

I have found great comfort and freedom in this and I can actually enjoy my day. Go figure...

(((Hugs)))

Carol

hope3 · 04-27-2007, 07:27 PM

Glad you are here.

God grant me the serenity to change the things

I can, except the things I can't and the wisdom

to know the difference.............Amen, Hope3

leviathon · 04-27-2007, 07:27 PM

that's awesome and inspiring. Glad you are sticking around.

Levi

**Peter** · 04-27-2007, 07:32 PM

Hi Carol. It's good to see you.

**Dee74** · 04-27-2007, 08:14 PM

Hi Carol,
I don't think we've ever shard a thread before, but I'm glad you're staying - every good person here makes this group stronger and an even better place to be.

D

Surlyredhead · 04-27-2007, 08:24 PM

I am glad you didn't let some knucklehead steal your joy!!!! You like it here....everyone likes you here...right-is-right...you should be here!!!

Cathy

IO Storm · 04-27-2007, 08:25 PM

"The first thing I do in the morning now, is give the day to my HP".

Carol....This has worked for me for almost 11 months!

Simple...and it works.

"Really fast so I don't take any of it back".

Another tool I learned in recovery...if we do take it back...we can

start our day all over again. No matter what the hour...

HP is always there.

Love,

Sherry

(Welcome back!)

GrouchoTheCat · 04-27-2007, 08:35 PM

Hi Carol,

I do the same thing as Storm, and I'm 5+ months sober.

It works!

Glad you're here Carol.

Ted

**BigSis** · 04-27-2007, 08:41 PM

Hey Carol... even though I hang out in the other forums, I usually peek in here, and was sad to see your goodbye message. I am also glad you decided to stay... and what a great post! That powerlessness thing is a primary part of my program in Alanon. Thanks for sharing!

(((hugs)))

**Rowan** · 04-27-2007, 09:51 PM

Glad you decided to stick around, friend. Great post! Thanks for sharing.

Rowan

GlassPrisoner · 04-27-2007, 10:56 PM

Glad you're gonna stick around for a while.

Reading your post, it seems you're starting to "get it"

stone · 04-27-2007, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iwanttobe1

I am beginning to understand my powerlessness in other things too. I can't change people, I can't change the past or the future, or a multitude of other things. So why fret over things? I believe in a HP, I know some here don't and that's OK.

I don't believe in a higher power (I think) but what you said still applies to me, what you said is so simple and true but so easy for us to forget. Thanks Carol.

TouchTheMirror · 04-28-2007, 05:33 AM

That was inspiring.

Thank you for helping to keep ME sober today with that post!

Talluleh · 04-28-2007, 06:38 AM

Thanks for that..

TryingisDying · 04-28-2007, 07:30 AM

Carol....glad you are here!
I to am a huge control freak and I have to pray to be humble every day and that seems to really help me.....

GrouchoTheCat · 04-28-2007, 08:40 AM

One of the things I ask every day is :

Please make me small and useful.

I love that one.

Tazman53 · 04-28-2007, 01:08 PM

Thanks Carol, that first step happened for this old drunk before I even got into the rooms, I simply surrendered to King Alcohol, I could fight no more, alcohol had one, I had lost!

Glad to see you staying here hon, great post.

Just keep in mind when some one starts spewing BS it does not mean you have to beleive it! Take what you need hon and leave the rest.

parentrecovers · 04-30-2007, 07:27 AM

thanks, carol. keep posting! k

hope3 · 04-30-2007, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hope3

Glad you are here.

God grant me the serenity to change the things

I can, except the things I can't and the wisdom

to know the difference.............Amen, Hope3

Hi all, I just wanted to correct my mistake on the serenity prayer, thankyou
Noeller for letting me know...

It should be:

God grant me the Serenity to ACCEPT the things we cannot change;
the Power to CHANGE the things we can; and
the Wisdom to KNOW the difference.....

Hope3

**Dee74** · 04-30-2007, 07:38 PM

oh, we knew what you meant, Hope3 !

D

04-27-2007, 07:24 PM	#1 (permalink)
Iwanttobe1 Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 76	Powerless Hi folks, I have decided to stick around a while after all. There is so much kindness and support here, I don't want to leave. I went to an AA meeting last night and had a great enlightening that I would like to share. The topic was powerlessness. Being the control freak that I am, the concept was a distant one. There was a lot of talk about being powerless over alcohol. I thought about it for a bit. And I realized, though, I thought I controlled my drinking, I really didn't. It was controlling me. I couldn't stop after one or two and I can't understand anyone who can. Actually, once I started, I could not stop at all. I gain my power over alcohol by realizing I am powerless against it. I just can't take that first drink. I am beginning to understand my powerlessness in other things too. I can't change people, I can't change the past or the future, or a multitude of other things. So why fret over things? I believe in a HP, I know some here don't and that's OK. But I have to trust in Him and know that He's just going to have to take care of the things that I can't. And for that I am thankful. The first thing I do in the morning now, is give the day to my HP. Really fast so I don't take any of it back. Then I can relax, enjoy the day and no matter what happens, I do my best and give what I can and let my HP take care of the rest. I have found great comfort and freedom in this and I can actually enjoy my day. Go figure... (((Hugs))) Carol

04-27-2007, 07:27 PM	#2 (permalink)
hope3 Hope3 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Upstate, NY Posts: 2,118	Glad you are here. God grant me the serenity to change the things I can, except the things I can't and the wisdom to know the difference.............Amen, Hope3 __________________ If I focus on the solutions, the problems won't seem impossible!

04-27-2007, 07:27 PM	#3 (permalink)
leviathon Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Somwhere over the rainbow Posts: 1,202	that's awesome and inspiring. Glad you are sticking around. Levi __________________ Hope springs eternal!

04-27-2007, 07:32 PM	#4 (permalink)
Peter Moderator Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Leaving Sparta Posts: 2,742	Hi Carol. It's good to see you. __________________ I shall pass this way but once, therefore, whatever good I might do, Let me do it now, for I will never pass this way again. UNKNOWN POET

04-27-2007, 08:14 PM	#5 (permalink)
Dee74 Forum Leader Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: South Seas Posts: 14,668	Hi Carol, I don't think we've ever shard a thread before, but I'm glad you're staying - every good person here makes this group stronger and an even better place to be. D __________________ May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received and pass on the love that has been given to you.

04-27-2007, 08:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
Surlyredhead Life is Grand 2 Hand Poker Champion! 3 Card Poker Champion! 3 Wheel Slot Machine Champion! Battleship Champion! Blackjack Champion! Crazy PinBall Champion! Flash Poker Champion! FreeCell Champion! Frogger Champion! Snake Champion! Word Lab Champion! Super Mario Mushroom Champion! Alien Missle Attack Champion! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,355	I am glad you didn't let some knucklehead steal your joy!!!! You like it here....everyone likes you here...right-is-right...you should be here!!! Cathy __________________ Every Saint has a past and every Sinner has a future!

04-27-2007, 08:25 PM	#7 (permalink)
IO Storm IO Storm Wheel Of Fortune Champion! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 15,790 Blog Entries: 1	"The first thing I do in the morning now, is give the day to my HP". Carol....This has worked for me for almost 11 months! Simple...and it works. "Really fast so I don't take any of it back". Another tool I learned in recovery...if we do take it back...we can start our day all over again. No matter what the hour... HP is always there. Love, Sherry (Welcome back!) __________________ "God holds me still in the eye of the Storm"

04-27-2007, 08:35 PM	#8 (permalink)
GrouchoTheCat Coffee Maker Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Lobstah Land Posts: 1,115 Blog Entries: 1	Hi Carol, I do the same thing as Storm, and I'm 5+ months sober. It works! Glad you're here Carol. Ted __________________ He, who by good deeds covers the evil he has done, illuminates this world like the moon freed from clouds. Buddha (Not inebriated (Amethystos) since:9/27/07)

04-27-2007, 08:41 PM	#9 (permalink)
BigSis On a tear Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Volcano Country! Posts: 3,237	Hey Carol... even though I hang out in the other forums, I usually peek in here, and was sad to see your goodbye message. I am also glad you decided to stay... and what a great post! That powerlessness thing is a primary part of my program in Alanon. Thanks for sharing! (((hugs))) __________________ No matter how spoiled the past may be, our future is spotless.... BigSis

04-27-2007, 09:51 PM	#10 (permalink)
Rowan Social Network Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 11,974	Glad you decided to stick around, friend. Great post! Thanks for sharing. Rowan __________________

04-27-2007, 10:56 PM	#11 (permalink)
GlassPrisoner Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Murrieta, Ca Posts: 2,685	Glad you're gonna stick around for a while. Reading your post, it seems you're starting to "get it" __________________ Life Happens

04-28-2007, 05:33 AM	#13 (permalink)
TouchTheMirror Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Midwest Posts: 50	That was inspiring. Thank you for helping to keep ME sober today with that post!

04-28-2007, 06:38 AM	#14 (permalink)
Talluleh Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Toronto Ontario Posts: 336	Thanks for that.. __________________ I keep my head on straight, and my eyes wide open. I try to move forward wishing and hoping. I took a hold of myself in the middle of November. Don’t you look back now, it’s all I can remember. I’m breaking this line before it comes full circle. ---Beth Hart---

04-28-2007, 07:30 AM	#15 (permalink)
TryingisDying Getting out of my own way! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Detroit ... but my heart is in Cali Posts: 252	Carol....glad you are here! I to am a huge control freak and I have to pray to be humble every day and that seems to really help me..... __________________ **************************************** "Nothing changes..Nothing changes" ~Do Daily~ Am I meditating and getting closer to God? Am I eating and exercising correctly? Am I keeping up on my obligations and commitments? What am I doing for my pleasure?

04-28-2007, 08:40 AM	#16 (permalink)
GrouchoTheCat Coffee Maker Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Lobstah Land Posts: 1,115 Blog Entries: 1	One of the things I ask every day is : Please make me small and useful. I love that one. __________________ He, who by good deeds covers the evil he has done, illuminates this world like the moon freed from clouds. Buddha (Not inebriated (Amethystos) since:9/27/07)

04-28-2007, 01:08 PM	#17 (permalink)
Tazman53 Follow Directions! Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Fredericksburg, Va. Posts: 9,284	Thanks Carol, that first step happened for this old drunk before I even got into the rooms, I simply surrendered to King Alcohol, I could fight no more, alcohol had one, I had lost! Glad to see you staying here hon, great post. Just keep in mind when some one starts spewing BS it does not mean you have to beleive it! Take what you need hon and leave the rest. __________________ All BB quotes are from the First Edition of the BB Follow directions! Sobriety date 18 Sept. 2006 Sober today thanks to AA

04-30-2007, 07:27 AM	#18 (permalink)
parentrecovers P* the greenbean c*erole! Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: USA Posts: 15,350	thanks, carol. keep posting! k

04-30-2007, 07:38 PM	#20 (permalink)
Dee74 Forum Leader Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: South Seas Posts: 14,668	oh, we knew what you meant, Hope3 ! D __________________ May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received and pass on the love that has been given to you.

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