The most important lesson of sobriety thus far
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The most important lesson of sobriety thus far
My first 78 days of this journey have been empowering and enlightening.
The most important thing that I have recognized and accepted thus far is that ultimately only I have the power to determine if I remain sober. There is awesome support here in SR and in meetings... But only I have the power to acknowledge when I need to leverage these tools.
I came here for a reason in day 1.. And when things got hard in day 5 or day 30 I had to remind myself that I came here because I know I cannot moderate.
And no matter the number of days that I have added, every day I must remember day 1 and why today I will not drink. Others can remind me... Others may also suggest I can moderate (because they have a problem or my sobriety makes them uncomfortable). They don't get to choose this for me - I own this gift and responsibility of my sobriety and I must never forget this.
The most important thing that I have recognized and accepted thus far is that ultimately only I have the power to determine if I remain sober. There is awesome support here in SR and in meetings... But only I have the power to acknowledge when I need to leverage these tools.
I came here for a reason in day 1.. And when things got hard in day 5 or day 30 I had to remind myself that I came here because I know I cannot moderate.
And no matter the number of days that I have added, every day I must remember day 1 and why today I will not drink. Others can remind me... Others may also suggest I can moderate (because they have a problem or my sobriety makes them uncomfortable). They don't get to choose this for me - I own this gift and responsibility of my sobriety and I must never forget this.
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Great perspective ICDB. One day at a time, doesn't matter if you are on day 1 or 10,000. The focal points may change, but I have to remind myself every day why I am not going to drink today.
Fantastic job on 78 days. Keep up the great work, it gets better.
Fantastic job on 78 days. Keep up the great work, it gets better.
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There is a step in between 'I now know I can't moderate' and 'I now choose to quit drinking for good'. Things become simpler after that. No reminding needed because the drinking is over.
And you are right about this - you DO have the power to remain sober. You have it simply because you claim it. It's all yours!
And you are right about this - you DO have the power to remain sober. You have it simply because you claim it. It's all yours!
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Thanks all. I've had a few rough patches when it would have been really easy to cave. I need to always remind myself that I have the control over the AV... That is solely within my power.
Congrats on 78 days sober! Self recovered Self discovered
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ICDB, may I offer this? You might find it helpful. It's about that AV and how I see it. http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...ined-long.html
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Icandobetter,
Thanks for sharing and for reminding all of us of how important what we are doing is -- to ourselves first.
I also love Freshstart's post that s/he linked to -- I have read it before but should do so more often.
Thanks for sharing and for reminding all of us of how important what we are doing is -- to ourselves first.
I also love Freshstart's post that s/he linked to -- I have read it before but should do so more often.
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Originally Posted by freshstart57 
ICDB, may I offer this? You might find it helpful. It's about that AV and how I see it. http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...ined-long.html
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Originally Posted by freshstart57
There is a step in between 'I now know I can't moderate' and 'I now choose to quit drinking for good'. Things become simpler after that. No reminding needed because the drinking is over. And you are right about this - you DO have the power to remain sober. You have it simply because you claim it. It's all yours!
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Originally Posted by ICanDoBetter
As I get more of those things behind me I hope that the AV will continue to subside. She doesn't creep in too often altogether but I want to make sure that I acknowledge that she is indeed there.
The biggest weapon against the AV is simply acceptance. Once you accept it, and understand that no matter what, you aren't going to drink over it, all its power goes phhhhht. The power is alllllll yours, ICDB.
You are doing great, btw. You got this. Onward!
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Originally Posted by freshstart57
BTW, this makes you a badass. The Triumph of the Human Spirit. The Transformation of the Self and all that stuff. It really is huge. I think you need a special hat.
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Some of the Reactions to my thread about buying beer for my husband initially made me feel defensive. Then I got thinking about this thread. My view is that my sobriety ultimately is my responsibility.. And for me bring able to tackle that simple test gives me control and a sense of normalcy. I will not always be able to avoid being in the presence of alcohol. I also don't intend to make visiting a beer distributor a normal occurrence.
But I must own my sobriety.
But I must own my sobriety.
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