Spawn

Do you think dry time counts for something?

I think it speaks volumes to the new-comers............
when I was a newcomer I looked up to the guys with 15 or more years........
I figured if they could do it so could I.
Time also plays a big part when it comes to personal growth, there are no guarantees, all I needed was the willingness and an open mind.

wishing everyone another 24hrs.

DayTrader

Yes.....but only "sort-of."

I know one guy in particular...... 40-something years since his last drink. He's angry, nasty, mean......but he goes to a lot of AA meetings and he's got 40+ years. His time doesn't mean too much to me but then again.......he's go a lot of experience in the rooms, around the ppl, and in life in general. He may not have sobriety that I want but he's still got some wisdom and some things I can learn from.

My line of sponsorship says our last drink date before we talk or share at a meeting. Sometimes I don't like doing it but I do remember thinking when I was new, "If THAT dope can do this deal, I KNOW I can!!" Maybe not the most spiritual thought (lol) but it helped me stay connected to AA and to not feel like it would be impossible.

Generally though, most of the ppl with a lot of time ARE doing something (if not most things) "right." I don't, however, mistake time sober for a guarantee of quality-time sober.

stillsleeping

Hey! I know what you mean but I tend to go the other way. Most of the good friends I've made here are one yr and under. I like that it's fresh cos we're goin through the same thing. you know? And I get a lot of support from people who are around the same count as me. I can't look to someone 40 years clean as a rolemodel, it's too big...

Spawn

one day at a time worked well for me....
lots of meetings....
new habits and social circles....
time does the rest.
last Feb. 14, I celebrated 13 years....and I still keep track...why?
Healthy pride?
I want others to know if a guy like me can do it so can others.
Alcoholism is a serious disease and I think every day sober should be celebrated and shared.

stillsleeping

Wow Spawn, 13 years - that's amazing. Am on day 19...

Mo S

I think that a prolonged period of sobriety contributes to reaching the "spiritual awakening" and being able to live by the 12 steps- most specifiacly 10 thru 12. I look for peope with time who have coped and succeeded in living life on life's terms thru many different situation- aside from any 12step offiliation. They are doing something right.
I think "oldtimers" get so much attention because , quite frankly, there arent many of them in relation to the overall AA population. Leading to the "wow" factor when someone share their length of time.
Could also relate to the person who shared that gravitating towards people in my early recovery ,with around and under a year, was a good thing. I delveloped many close friendships and learned alot from ohers who I could immediatly relate to.

Spawn

19 days is awesome!

Spawn

I find if you do something long enough it becomes the new normal and the rest is just maintenance.....

Boleo

IMNSHO Experience is EVERYTHING!

It does take some time to gain experience. However, sitting around not-drinking is closer to inexperience. Walking through fear, adversity and failure will gain us a whole lot more experience than calendar days spent not-drinking. Reaching out to help others brings me more sense of purpose than passing a drug test.

When I am feeling peace of mind, joy and sense of purpose - the days behind me and the days in front of me are not attached to my sobriety.

Gottalife

When I came in I thought 6 months was pretty amazing, 18 months fantastic, and anything more was beyond my comprehension. The long sobriety guys were much older than me. I loved their stories and they were always nice to me, but I tended to socialise in my own age group.

I have to agree with Boleo, experience takes time to acquire.