Hey Rufus! Good to see you...I can identify with what you say in regards to being thankful for a second chance, I too feel tremendously grateful. Like Dee, my recovery sits squarely on my shoulders. My success or failure will be my responsibility only.
I have never felt as if I was the center of the universe...quite the opposite in fact. I always felt uncomfortable at aa meetings when members acted as if this was a characteristic found in every alcoholic....this simply is not true. Believe it or not we are all unique!!!! LOL
Vengeance...I find the fact that your teacher would regard 6 years of sobriety as not having quality as sad....It makes no sense.