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n/a
deleted
514 Posts |
 Posted - December 23 2002 : 09:16:55 AM
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From today's 24-Hours A Day;
A.A. Thought for the Day
"We have definitely left that dream world behind. It was only a sham. It was a world of our making and it was not the real world. We are sorry for the past, yes, but we learned a lot from it. We can put it down to experience, valuable experience, as we see it now, because it has given us the knowledge necessary to face the world as it really is. We had to become alcoholics in order to find the A.A. program. We would not have gotten it any other way. In a way, it was worth it. Do I look at my past as valuable experience?"
For me today, my past is a very valuable experience. For without the experience of active alcohol and drug abuse, I wouldn't be where I am today and living the life I am living today.
The promise..."Do not regret our past nor wish to shut the door on it"...has come true for me. For I had to drink every drink I had, and take every drug I took, live every where I lived and do everything I had done, to get to where I am today. No, I am not proud of my past, but I am glad I had to experience it.
And I try to keep my past up front at all times. To remind me, that all I have to do is pick up that first drink or that first drug, and I can have all the misery back. So I never shut the door on it and try to forget it.
Harry
What I am is God's gift to me.
What I make of myself is my gift to Him.
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Samf
Advanced Member
USA
447 Posts |
 Posted - December 24 2002 : 2:55:47 PM
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I regret some things, but I no longer have this passionate wish to change it. It is what it is, and it actually helps me by keeping me grateful.
And I find that some of the most shameful and humiliating things that have happened have turned out to be things that help other people, too. And that kind of makes it all ok.
Just to not be so serious, as I feel kind of weepy?
It's like a candle light meeting. This guy blurts out, "Ok! I f*cked a zebra!!"
Someone from the back of the room cries out, "At least yours was female."
Sometimes, in all seriousness, the darkest things are the things our HP seems able to use so we can help each other heal.
Love you guys.
Sam
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John96
Advanced Member
22 Posts |
Posted - December 24 2002 : 6:52:29 PM
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Great topic!!!
This is an area I had a very hard time in- the confusion being that I could believe that God could and would forgive me but I could not. I still cannot forgive myself for some of my past actions but, maybe this is semantics, I don't regret them because as others have said "it got me to where I am today." I personally differentiate between forgiveness and regret. Also, knowing what I have done makes it very easy to accept what others tell me they have done.
John
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journeytoserenity
Forum Admin
USA
566 Posts |
Posted - December 25 2002 : 10:48:00 PM
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I can relate to John on this. It was very haed for me to forgive myself for some of my involvements in my past. It, in fact, led me to the most difficult time in my sobriety at 4-5 years sober. Thank God I got to the other side!!
Thanks, you all!
http://www.journeytoserenity.cjb.net
Journey to Serenity Website
***************
"We see things NOT as THEY are - but as WE are."
"If you keep thinking things are going to be bad, you stand a good chance at becoming a Prophet." |
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Matt V.
Advanced Member
USA
36 Posts |
Posted - December 26 2002 : 01:55:54 AM
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I heard once that the person most often left out of the step eight and nine process is yourself. It was further explained that making amends to yourself involves forgiving yourself for your past. I'm not explaining this nearly as well as it was told to me, but the general idea is there.
When in danger, when in doubt,
Run in circles, scream and shout.
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Tinker
Advanced Member
74 Posts |
Posted - December 31 2002 : 9:02:59 PM
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I heard we do not have to forget the past but do not have to stare at it either. I still learn today from what happened yesterday. The problem is remembering it...Getting old ain't for sissies!! LOL
Everyday is Pay Day in A.A. |
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Patsyd1
Advanced Member
USA
16 Posts |
Posted - January 08 2003 : 08:16:46 AM
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I remember my sponsor sharing with me when I was new here in the halls. What she shared was that "her past was her greatest asset"
What?????????? I asked her, "are you crazy or what?" LOLOL
I have come to learn sometimes slowly and sometimes quickly... that yes, my past IS the greatest asset that I have today :)
Love
Patsy
Failed 12 Step Call? Not if we walk away sober! |
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My Past A Valuable Experience
