Fearlessat50

Hi Bill, I started reading this thread and then realized it was started over 2 months ago so I’m a little late chiming in. I am sorry what you are going through but glad you are feeling better. My Dad’s story always inspires me. He lost two kids to suicide, his wife (my mom) to massive organ failure due to years of self abuse (alcoholism, eatimg disorders, pain pills, etc). He found love again and then lost that one to cancer. He has never drank a day in his life. He is strong in his faith in god. (I myself am not religious, though I am spiritual), His faith and his supportive community and friend network has always carried him through such hard times. He is again recently remarried and doing well in his mid eighties. His experience has taught me that no matter what we go through, there’s never a good reason to drink and there is a light at the end of every tunnel. We can find happiness again.

Meraviglioso

Hi Bill, how are you feeling today?

wpainterw

I'm feeling much better, Mera! And I think of you very often! Dr. Hallowel's book on "Worry" has been such a great help!

Fondly

Bill.

Fearlessat50

Mera, thank you from me also. I ordered that book too! I worry about everything all the time

wpainterw

I'm not sure this is relevant to the thread but I love this hymn and it seems so very current to our worries today:

1 Once to ev'ry man and nation
Comes the moment to decide,
In the strife of truth and falsehood,
For the good or evil side;
Some great cause, some great decision,
Off'ring each the bloom or blight,
And the choice goes by forever
'Twixt that darkness and that light.

2 Then to side with truth is noble,
When we share her wretched crust,
Ere her cause bring fame and profit,
And 'tis prosperous to be just;
Then it is the brave man chooses
While the coward stands aside.
Till the multitude make virtue
Of the faith they had denied.

3 By the light of burning martyrs,
Christ, Thy bleeding feet we track,
Toiling up new Calv'ries ever
With the cross that turns not back;
New occasions teach new duties,
Ancient values test our youth;
They must upward still and onward,
Who would keep abreast of truth.

4 Tho' the cause of evil prosper,
Yet the truth alone is strong;
Tho' her portion be the scaffold,
And upon the throne be wrong;
Yet that scaffold sways the future,
And, behind the dim unknown,
Standeth God within the shadow,
Keeping watch above His own.

James Russell Lowell (Harv.)

Source: Baptist Hymnal 2008 #538

The message is faith if not in God then in a higher power, humanity if you wish, ordinary people. I have seen them helping others, and claiming no credit for themselves. Common decency!

Bill

wpainterw

I know two ladies, who appear to be addicted to worry (neither of them is addicted to alcohol or any harmful substance). One says she "does not need to read Dr. Hallowell's "Worry" book because she has "plenty to worry about as it is" The other says that she "has no time for God because she is already much too busy"!

W.

least

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0y5KWqggo7c

wpainterw

Hi Least! One of my very favorite too! And so current! The time has come for us all to make some very hard, very crucial choices. Let us pray to God that we can be helped to do so.

Bill

SnoozyQ

Hi Bill,

I know this is an old post but ive been looking up old friends and names i recall.

Just know you are being thought of and i hope all is well with you xx

Snoozy xxx

Dee74

Bill passed away Snooz.
He was in his 90s.

https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums...l-painter.html (wpainterw Bill Painter)

D

SnoozyQ

Oh geez, i knew he was old. But thanks for letting me know Dee. I appreciate it xx

Dee74

No worries Wendy.

I think it's nice when old threads come up - there's always a trace of old members here.

D