4 years, nothing changed and everything changed
The New Me starting 1/11/09
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: California
Posts: 678
4 years, nothing changed and everything changed
Hi SR -
I had my 4 year birthday last week and it was uneventful (like it should be). It got me thinking about what has changed ...
What hasn't changed...
- I'm still alcoholic and can't drink
- I still need the support of others
- I need to work on it every day
- I need to continue helping others
- I need to maintain my connection to my higher power
- I'm still sober
- I'm still bald
What has changed...
- I'm quite happy.
- I have a much better relationship with my spouse and kids
- My work is going much better
- My health is good
- I'm feeling confident again
- I take life as it comes while still making plans for the future
- I'm a much better sponsor for others
- While I may crave alcohol every now and then, I know that the voices are to be ignored and will pass in a minute.
For what it's worth, this has been the best and hardest process I have ever been through. For whatever reason, I was meant to go through it. While I don't wish it on anyone else, it has made me become a much better person and I am grateful for having had to face the challenge.
Today, I won't drink. And with enough of those days together, life becomes a new adventure.
Thanks to all on SR who have helped me over the years!
I had my 4 year birthday last week and it was uneventful (like it should be). It got me thinking about what has changed ...
What hasn't changed...
- I'm still alcoholic and can't drink
- I still need the support of others
- I need to work on it every day
- I need to continue helping others
- I need to maintain my connection to my higher power
- I'm still sober
- I'm still bald
What has changed...
- I'm quite happy.
- I have a much better relationship with my spouse and kids
- My work is going much better
- My health is good
- I'm feeling confident again
- I take life as it comes while still making plans for the future
- I'm a much better sponsor for others
- While I may crave alcohol every now and then, I know that the voices are to be ignored and will pass in a minute.
For what it's worth, this has been the best and hardest process I have ever been through. For whatever reason, I was meant to go through it. While I don't wish it on anyone else, it has made me become a much better person and I am grateful for having had to face the challenge.
Today, I won't drink. And with enough of those days together, life becomes a new adventure.
Thanks to all on SR who have helped me over the years!
Fellow Traveler and Seeker
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Posts: 2,408
What a great post...wonderful to read.
Congrats on the 4 years...awesome.
That's exactly how I feel about it. I am a grateful alcoholic when I think of it like this.
Congrats on the 4 years...awesome.
For what it's worth, this has been the best and hardest process I have ever been through. For whatever reason, I was meant to go through it. While I don't wish it on anyone else, it has made me become a much better person and I am grateful for having had to face the challenge.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Canada. About as far south as you can get
Posts: 4,768
Congrats on 4 yrs NewMe11109 !!
I remember, after having a few AA birthdays, that it sorta felt like an inconvenience going to the trouble of celebrating them.
My sponsor gently reminded me that the first few birthdays were for "me" and the following celebrations would be for the newcomers who couldn't fathom sobriety measured in years (or decades). I had the responsibility to "inconvenience" myself for them.
After he told me that truth the inconvenience went away and became slowly replaced with gratitude. Mostly gratitude for a loving sponsor. You know what I mean.
(This post is in memory of Neil B., my sponsor who passed sober in 1997. This post would not exist as without his loving care and guidance I would have killed myself in 1989. I know that for a fact.)
All the best.
Bob R
I remember, after having a few AA birthdays, that it sorta felt like an inconvenience going to the trouble of celebrating them.
My sponsor gently reminded me that the first few birthdays were for "me" and the following celebrations would be for the newcomers who couldn't fathom sobriety measured in years (or decades). I had the responsibility to "inconvenience" myself for them.
After he told me that truth the inconvenience went away and became slowly replaced with gratitude. Mostly gratitude for a loving sponsor. You know what I mean.
(This post is in memory of Neil B., my sponsor who passed sober in 1997. This post would not exist as without his loving care and guidance I would have killed myself in 1989. I know that for a fact.)
All the best.
Bob R
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