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Old 12-01-2013, 01:49 PM
  # 3 (permalink)  
CharlieNoogan
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Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 414
Recovery is as much about learning about yourself and finding new ways to deal with what life throws at you as it is about not drinking, perhaps even more so.

Since you are working an AA program, I would suggest speaking with your sponsor and/or treatment counselor about these issues and asking for his perspective. Also, consider delving deeply into the 10th Step. I find that if I keep it front of mind, I take an extra second to think through my responses to emotional stimuli in a way that most benefits everyone involved. When I screw up, I do my best to immediately acknowledge what I did wrong and resolve it. As an alcoholic, I became accustomed to instant gratification yet now I am realizing that those things worth achieving take time and effort.

It sounds like you are taking on a lot of issues at once and are getting frustrated with the lack of progress. I found it best to set small, yet SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound) goals for myself in early recovery. You cannot advance from working in the mail room directly to the CEO's office in a month. There are many small goals that need to be achieved first, even on a daily basis. The Serenity Prayer helps me come to terms with the fact that I do not have control over everything and everybody.

You can and will figure things out as time goes on and you will emerge a much better person because of what you have gone through. Keep up the good work!
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