Thread: Plod
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Old 02-03-2018, 02:19 AM
  # 5 (permalink)  
FreeOwl
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Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 8,637
You mention gathering tools.

Now I’m no fanatic, nor have I ever thumped the Big Book.... but I remember being where you are more than once.

In my experience, I finally asked for a Big Book. I took it home and - despite my aversion - I read it cover to cover. And then I read it again.

There’s still some stuff in there I don’t really relate to..... but boy did I learn a lot. It gave me some tools to be sure. It also gave me one of the most powerful tools I could have; a simple ACTION I could take.

When I was tired and bored and thinking about alcohol..... I could read it. Taking action to support my sobriety.

When I was on the road for work and everyone was headed to the bar - I could retreat to my room and read that book. Action to protect my sobriety.

Those early days were the hardest and that book was a simple, physical, tangible tool I could grab onto, hold, actively use.

It also helped me gradually open to the ways I would use AA as a tool to help me stay sober.

I still am not any purist’s definition of an AA. There are parts I still don’t identify with. But without that book and that program and community I’m certain I wouldn’t be sober now over 4 years.
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