Checkin' in..

[TonyB]

Greetings fellow bikers, hard core and wannabe’s. Just thought I would check in from the high seas. It’s been a little rough out which doesn’t make for good sleeping, but other than that all is well. I’ve been doing a lot of reading to pass the time. And I have been doing a lot of meditation.
I was a hopeless alcoholic as spoken of in “the doctors opinion” and “Bill’s Story”
I have also seen that there is a way to RECOVER from alcoholism. It’s the program of the 12 steps and the fellowship of AA. I like to separate the two of them because I had the tendency to hide out in meetings and not really do any work. For a while I found relief in the fellowship, but at some point my head caught up to my a$$ and I was in trouble… I had to decide what I was going to do and quickly, because for me, to drink is to die. It was time for me to get introduced to the 12 steps and in order to do that correctly, I needed a sponsor. While working 4-7 something happened to me…. For short periods of time I was able to quiet my mind and in this process I started to feel a bit of that serenity I had heard so much about. And let me tell you, it feels good. I never thought it possible for someone as “evil” as me to be at peace. But it can happen.
Today I have a couple of guys that I’m trying to work with. One is a lost soul that is hiding out in meetings. But I haven’t given up hope on him…. I know that if you hang around this fellowship long enough, eventually the program gets you. Just like it got me. I try not to push the steps on him, it’s attraction rather than promotion. But if they want what we have, eventually they have to do what we do. So I just try to be an example. The other is drunk with anger, he’s a little more difficult to work with because he has about 8 years in the program and thinks he knows everything. But I still just try to be an example. Sometimes we have meetings while we are underway and that’s when I see the joys of this fellowship. 3 drunks sharing their experience, strength and hope so that they may help each other to stay sober.
I know that God has put these two men in my life and I pray that I’m carrying out His will, not mine. One of my sponsors told me to make sure I don’t “close” any doors for these guys by trying to jam the program down their throat. So I try not to get evangelical. I just try to walk the walk and hope that one day they will follow. We have to carry the message, not the drunk.
I am grateful I have this place to hang out, where I can be around other sober like minded people.
Anyway, just thought I would check in. It will be a while before I can get to a meeting.
UT

[best]

I know that God has put these two men in my life and I pray that I’m carrying out His will, not mine. One of my sponsors told me to make sure I don’t “close” any doors for these guys by trying to jam the program down their throat.

What a wonderful memory that brings me.
Gentle truths were shared with me and one day I recalled what was said and took action. I sure am glad that Jim was placed in my life.

[BillJ]

Originally Posted by TonyB

I know that God has put these two men in my life and I pray that I’m carrying out His will, not mine. One of my sponsors told me to make sure I don’t “close” any doors for these guys by trying to jam the program down their throat. So I try not to get evangelical. I just try to walk the walk and hope that one day they will follow. We have to carry the message, not the drunk.

Thanks for sharing, Tony. Good to hear from you. I was wonderin' where everybody went!

About Twelfth Step work: my original sponsor shared with me a prayer he used whenever he sat down to hear someone's Fifth Step. I've adopted it for use any time I'm sharing with another alcoholic - one on one, in meetings, even on-line.

The prayer is "God, please help me to carry the message of recovery, and if I can't help, please don't let me hurt anyone."

We alcoholics are sensitive people. We take others' words to heart. Many of us still feel the sting of hurtful things said to us when we were just children, and we tend to be thin-skinned even as adults. That may be part of our disease.

Hence, with this prayer, I offer myself as that "channel of peace" Saint Francis wanted to be. It places me at my Higher Power's service, asking that what I share be helpful. It also assures me that, if I can't be of service, I will, at least, not "close any doors" to those I share with.

It seems to work.

[Rarly Harley]

Happy Sailing Tony: Sounds like you are doin OK. I have been known to spend a week in the bush by myself at times. I will hold an AA meeting by myself (and HP). All it takes is an AA speaker tape and a Grapevine. I say the serenity prayer, chair, read, qualify, introduce the "speaker", listen and close with the Lord's prayer. Works for me.

Still don't have my bike out. Last two weeks have been nuts. I had job decisions to make. I was offered a high paying job 500 miles away and I accepted last Thursday. I wasn't happy about having to leave my wife though. Sault Ste. Marie is my home town. God's country. (I'm predjudiced). A job came up here at home last Friday. (Coincidence?). I think not. I interviewed yesterday and was offered the job on the spot. The job pays quite a bit less than the out of town one, but I accepted. I have choices today, thanks to AA and when I ask my HP to guide me, he always does.

Bill, I sure hope to head south and pick up my bike soon. I will have 3 days off befor my new job starts. One day down. Stay overnight to charge battery and catch a meeting, then one day home. Can't wait.

[BillJ]

Originally Posted by Rarly Harley

Bill, I sure hope to head south and pick up my bike soon. I will have 3 days off befor my new job starts. One day down. Stay overnight to charge battery and catch a meeting, then one day home. Can't wait.

Congrats on the new gig, Rarly. If I remember correctly, you said it would put you further south, which meant better riding weather. I hope that's the case. Enjoy the ride!

[TonyB]

Thanks for all the support guys. Rarly, how far are you from Travers City?

[recoveringnky]

Hey Tony!! So good to hear from ya!! I enjoyed your share too, by the way! Things for me are about the same...still trying to do the next right thing! I figure, hey, I still have a roof over the fam's heads and and I'm clean and sober and most importantly, God's "got my back"!! So, it's all in His court now!

It helps me to help others in recovery too. I just found a rehab for a guy in jail here. He has PTSD as well as chemical addiction. The place is in Indiana and is on a farm of sorts...they do the 12 steps and all of that as well. I took the info to Judge today so hopefully we can get him out of jail and somewhere where he'll find help!!

The board's been quiet lately...glad someone posted something!!

Keep on keepin' on!!!

It's 71 and I plan on riding to my meetin' tonight!! Oooo weeee baby!!

[Rarly Harley]

Tony: I'm only 2 hours away from Traverse. What's up?

[TonyB]

Road trip. My Dad lives in Grand Rapids. I may be going to see him this fall some time.
UT

[Rarly Harley]

Sounds like a colour run to me. There is a 3 hour stretch of hwy north of here to Wawa, that will take your breath away. All along the cliffs and rock cuts along Lake Superior. Fall colours peak the first 2 weeks in October. Here is a sample of what you'll see.

[BillJ]

Originally Posted by Rarly Harley

Oooh! I wanna go!

That's one thing I miss about New England. Here in Texas, we get autumn color like that maybe once every five years, if the climatic conditions are just right. Elsewise the leaves are green, brown, and gone, just like that!

[BillJ]

Hey, am I imagining things, or did my signature line disappear? Has anyone else's gone missing?

[Rarly Harley]

Mine too. Plus a couple posts from yesterday.

[best]

Originally Posted by BillJ

Hey, am I imagining things, or did my signature line disappear? Has anyone else's gone missing?

They will return. Upgrades have things being moved around.

[BillJ]

Originally Posted by best

They will return. Upgrades have things being moved around.

You're not askin' me to be patient, are you?

:andy:

[TonyB]

Cool. Sounds like a plan...
UT

[TonyB]

I'm glad this other guy has you. If anyone can be there to support someone starting out, it's you. You may not always feel like it, but you really do have something people new to sobriety need. I think it's called hope.

My wife sent me this email. I just thought I would share it with you all, because it made me feel good.
I was telling her about how I have been working with this 27YO guy that got in some trouble here. He’s starting to realize how a lot of his problems are alcohol related. (meaning related to alcohol)
I was just sharing my experience with him and he was amazed at how much of my story he could relate too. He’s going to go to some meetings with me when we hit the beach. I know that he may or may not get it now. It’s in God’s hands. But I can still help to plant the seeds as they were planted in me.
This email got me thinking. I guess my message has changed and I didn’t even realize it until now. It has changed from one of desperation and doom. To hope…. WOW! I’m in complete awe… How the hell did that happen? Who knows… I’ll just say “Thank you God”
It’s just one of the miracles of this program.
UT

[Rarly Harley]

Reminds me of a truth I was taught a few years back... " There is no such thing as coincidence. Coincidence is only God's method of maintaining his anonymity". You just shared another example of this truth with us Tony. Here is another one...

Like I posted earlier, a week ago Thursday, I drove 500 miles south of here for a job interview, cause I couldn't find a full time job here at home. I was only on a short term contract. I was offered the job on the spot and I accepted. Really good money and benefits. After I got home, the excitement wore off and reality set in. I didn't want to leave my lovely wife and family just for the sake of money. The following Monday, a company here in town called me out of the blue. (I had interviewed with them last fall and turned them down because of poor pay). They wanted to know if I was interested in interviewing for a supervisor's position the following Thursday. I told them I would. In the interview last Thursday they offered me a full time job with good pay and full benefits. I accepted and now I get to stay home and ride the north country where I belong. Coincidence? I think not.

I called the job down south and thanked them, but said no thanks. I have choices today. Now I'm looking for a house. (with a garage of course). That will be awesome if you come up for a colour run.

Bill: too far for that back of yours? This really is God's country up here, even though the riding season is short. I love to meet like minded sober AA's.
The more the merrier. Ain't life grand!

[chris k]

I lived in West Olive MI, its a bump in the road between Holland and GR.

Originally Posted by TonyB

Road trip. My Dad lives in Grand Rapids. I may be going to see him this fall some time.
UT

[TonyB]

Chris,
That's cool. Small world... But you are a Texas boy now!
BTW, how's that new FLHX treating you?
UT

[BillJ]

Originally Posted by Rarly Harley

In the interview last Thursday they offered me a full time job with good pay and full benefits. I accepted and now I get to stay home and ride the north country where I belong. Coincidence? I think not.

Well, congrats on an even newer new job! Very cool, that you get to stay home.

Originally Posted by Rarly Harley

Bill: too far for that back of yours? This really is God's country up here, even though the riding season is short. I love to meet like minded sober AA's.

I'm just finishing reading Ghost Rider, by your countryman, Neil Peart. Sadly, I wouldn't recommend the book, but his descriptions of riding across Canada make the notion very appealing!

It may take a while, but I hope to build myself back up to longer road trips. Always been one of my favorite things, and I've toured most of the American West and Southwest that way, just wandering down any ol' road that looked interesting. It'll be on the Beemer first, but it is my intent (and fervent wish) to get back on the shovelhead, too, and soon. We've traveled 'way too many miles together to get divorced now!


And I also enjoy sharing two things I love most - riding and sobriety - with other AAs.

[best]

Originally Posted by BillJ

You're not askin' me to be patient, are you?

:andy:

Nope I know better then to ask such *LOL*

Morning Glory is asking all to be though *LOL*

Originally Posted by Morning Glory

The signatures will be off this week.

We'll get them back on soon.

Thank you for your patience.

It is my understanding that when things are put back, the signitures will return on their own. Should be no need to reenter them.