25 Years Living Life . . .

Laureen S.
on 7/19/12 11:58 pm, edited 7/20/12 12:41 am - Maple Shade, NJ
25 years ago today, I surrendered to something I had been fighting to accept for over six months! I admitted, first to myself, and secondly to a group of people, who like me had reached that jumping off point, that place that had become a living hell, and I turned myself over to the belief that if they could do what they were doing, I dared hope that I could follow in their footsteps and so I started a journey that has given new meaning to my life and changed me in ways I didn’t even imagine back then. . .

I am proud to say, that, today, I am a member in good standing of Alcoholics Anonymous and that one day at a time, for 9133 days, I have not found any good reason to take a drink, nor any drug that was not prescribed to me, personally, and used in the manner it was prescribed, in order to change my mood!

It has not always been easy and there were days I seriously contemplated and romanced the idea of what it would be like to have one of those fancy martini’s, flavored vodka or beers that have come about in the past 25 years, but I sat in many meetings where people forgot just how desperate they were when they walked through the doors of whatever 12 Step program they were in and found themselves unable to get sober or clean again, sadly, some died of their disease and several found it easier to end their lives. When I moved to a new place, in a new state, I lost my way, stopped making meetings and over the course of two plus years without making a meeting, felt like death was an option and while I was angry at my God, I realized over time, that I still prayed nightly for him to relieve me of the life he had gifted me with. The realities of addiction are these, jails, institutions and death. So while I faced temptation at various crossroads, I was granted the Grace of God, a God that I was able to find in the rooms of 12 Step fellowships, who has carried me through many of life’s ups and downs and who I’ve come to count on for mine and other people’s strength. I know today, from experiencing my life this way, that I must remain honest, which is not to say that I am always that way, open-minded, in order to remain teachable and open to new experiences and willing, willing to be there for my fellows, willing to adhere to a set of principles that I can see working in the lives of many I come in contact with on a daily basis. I am grateful that through AA, I was able to find my way out of the darkness and further my journey through having had WLS 4 years and 9 months ago, it was just another component of my addictive nature and one that I still face along with my other addictions. . .

Just for today, I am committed to this, still new, way of living!


My Mantra is that I do not determine my success by the number hanging in my closet, nor will I let the scale determine that success either. . .  It is through trial and error I will continue to grow and succeed. . .  Laureen

"Success is a journey, not a destination."  Ben Sweetland

carlak
on 7/20/12 12:07 am - Bradenton, FL
 Wow is all I can say!!!! That is impressive..... Laureen I am proud of you....You are an inspriation to me. Carla
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Laureen S.
on 7/20/12 11:06 pm - Maple Shade, NJ
Thank you Carla


My Mantra is that I do not determine my success by the number hanging in my closet, nor will I let the scale determine that success either. . .  It is through trial and error I will continue to grow and succeed. . .  Laureen

"Success is a journey, not a destination."  Ben Sweetland

Kathie L.
on 7/20/12 12:49 am - Castaic, CA
Congratulations! Life is a journey one day at a time.
California Kathie
RNY - 10/07
Rt. Hip Replacement - 4/08
Upper Body Lift - 11/08 (Dr. Timothy Katzen)
Lower Body Lift - 3/09 (Dr. Timothy Katzen)
Laureen S.
on 7/20/12 11:07 pm - Maple Shade, NJ
Thank you Kathie, so very true. . . which is why we need to embrace the present day we are in!


My Mantra is that I do not determine my success by the number hanging in my closet, nor will I let the scale determine that success either. . .  It is through trial and error I will continue to grow and succeed. . .  Laureen

"Success is a journey, not a destination."  Ben Sweetland

Judy G.
on 7/20/12 2:37 am - Galion, OH

CONGRATS!!!! So Proud of YOU!!!!!

HUGS


Laureen S.
on 7/20/12 11:07 pm - Maple Shade, NJ
Judy,

Thank you


My Mantra is that I do not determine my success by the number hanging in my closet, nor will I let the scale determine that success either. . .  It is through trial and error I will continue to grow and succeed. . .  Laureen

"Success is a journey, not a destination."  Ben Sweetland

Connie D.
on 7/20/12 3:17 am
Laureen.....got got tears of joy reading this post. You have come such a long way and done so well!! 

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!  I am so proud of you!!!

Love and hugs....connie d
Laureen S.
on 7/20/12 11:09 pm - Maple Shade, NJ
Connie,

It was a very emotional day, full of remembering how life once way and then sharing a part of that with the group I go to almost daily and the expression of all those that were there, as well as the kind responses here and on facebook. . .    I am blessed and hope each day to share my blessings with others

Thanks


My Mantra is that I do not determine my success by the number hanging in my closet, nor will I let the scale determine that success either. . .  It is through trial and error I will continue to grow and succeed. . .  Laureen

"Success is a journey, not a destination."  Ben Sweetland

Jo W.
on 7/20/12 4:58 am - Owosso, MI
Bragging for certain on that one!!!   To me that is an accomplish!!!    congratulations!
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