How do you know when today is really your last day? I've been saying it for to long and it never is. Longest I've been sover is for 21 days. I really whant today to really be my last day. Any…

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Comment by Robert Loucks on January 2, 2010 at 8:53pm

When I first read your comment, I thought you were referring to the last day of your life.
Well, that may be exactly true.
I was just a few months shy of age 60 when I came to AA and was dying, but did not know it. My wife and my doctor did. I realize now that I would never have reached 60.
My only hope was to do as was suggested.
Do not take that first drink, go to meetings, get a sponsor and start living the AA Program.
I started this way of life, got active, joined a home group and became very involved in its affairs.
This has kept me sober and happy for 34 years and ) am now 93 years young. A cup of AA coffee a day is the Fountain of Youth.
Bob L

Comment by janm on January 2, 2010 at 4:20pm

write our your one get honest get involved with AA be present in your life and look for what you can give to the program. try to be helpful!
Miracles happen - youll see give it a chance. I almost missed my own life and I am gratefu to have had this awakening!
Happy 2010! be positive you deserve it!

Comment by Cari Johnson on January 2, 2010 at 6:29am

Anthony, It has been my experience that you just live one day at a time. My sponsor told me five years ago, go to meetings everyday and don't pick up in between meetings. In the beginning, meetings is what I held on to. If I had to go to five in one day, I went. That is how much I desired to stop drinking. I truly was sick and tired of being sick and tired. Only you can decide when enough is enough. I agree with Robert, Step One is the most important step for me. If I cannot admit that my life was powerless over alcohol, then eventually I would have gone back out. It is a one day at a time program, and at times just a one minute program.

Cari

Comment by Robert on January 1, 2010 at 6:47am

I can certainly relate to that issue. As someone who put together a lot of couple weeks here and there, what I found did the trick toward, one day at a time, long-term sobriety, was taking and believing the first step. "We admitted we were powerless over alcohol and that our lives had become unmanageable. I find a tremendous liberation in that understanding, knowing that a couple weeks down the road when things seems to be going a bit better, I am still powerless over alcohol. I find that the first step is real surrender to the game of trying to keep finding a way to drink successfully. Instead, Step One continues to remind me that I am powerless.

The other aspect of the First Step for me is the being "sick and tired of being sick and tired." I find this useful in virtually all of my issues today.

And I completely agree, it is a matter of putting together a bunch of one day, one hour, one minute at a times. I find that when I am in a bad place, thinking of picking up my addiction, that to write about it, and follow it through to its logical conclusion is very helpful. Not just that first drink, but where it will all lead me. The First Step also reads that "We admitted . . . " which I take to be one of the key things about AA being in community with others who can share their experience, strength, and hope.

Best wishes,

Robert

Comment by WOODS on December 31, 2009 at 1:11pm

I prayed and asked to be led in the right direction and open my ears and eyes and went to alot of meetings until I heard the thigs I needed to hear and when i did I went up to that person and talked to them and when I saw he was doing the things he said I asked him if he would help me get started. I have a problem going up and asking people for help but this is my life. That is what I did. Happy New Year! Have a safe sober one.

Comment by Anthony on December 31, 2009 at 5:42am

Thank you all for your words of support, I really need and appreciate them. I need to get my life back together, and I think I need to get a sponsor, but how do I get one? Thanks again, and I hope everyone has a prosperous and happy new year...

Comment by WOODS on December 30, 2009 at 7:20am

Anthony tomorrow will take care of itself.
It is easy to let up on the spiritual program of action and rest on our laurels. We are headed for trouble if we do, for alcohol is a subtle foe. We are not cured of alcoholism. What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition. Every day is a day when we must carry the vision of God's will into all of our activities. "How can I best serve Thee, Thy will (not mine) be done." These are thoughts which must go with us constantly. We can exercise our will power along this line all we wish. It is the proper use of the will.
Straight out of the Big Book. I read it every day now because I was told to by sponsor, and every member of my home group who have been sober a long time. It reminds me that I have to stay focused and put effort in today if I don't want to drink today. Peace

Comment by MaJa on December 30, 2009 at 3:38am

Definitely we have the moment at present for any really action. Try to make the right decision now for further actions. All the other things are in the Creators hand.
What is it good for to know the exactly date? For sure you'll not notice it trashed.
Don't drink, go to meetings, find a sponsor and work the steps.
Love and peace
MaJa

Comment by JennyB on December 29, 2009 at 4:22pm

Oh, quick other thought. Have you read the Big Book? Bill's story talks very much about the promise again and again we alkies attempt to make to quit, "this is the final time, for real" - all the promises, and hopes and finality - and the regret and failure too - unless we change - AA has been the change and healing that has allowed me to stay clean for many one day at a times. The people who created AA REALLY knew how much we struggle with ourselves and beat ourselves up over our failures - read it, I hope it will inspire you to work the steps. Hang in there!

Comment by JennyB on December 29, 2009 at 3:18pm

I wish there was a magic answer, but for me, all I can count on is today - not tomorrow, not 21, or 22 days from today. All I can predict is today (or my next minute sometimes), if I start to look at the future, I get freaked out or overwhelmed and not sure if I can make it. But for this minute of today I'm doing what I need to do, lean and love the people that keep me straight, call my sponsor or a friend if I'm struggling, and always go to a meeting and be honest, no game playing or putting on the "pretty face" that all is well if it's not. I know it's so redunant, but AA is a "One Day At A Time" program. I can't tell you if you'll make it 21 days again, but I want to encourage you to take care of you and depend on the HP TODAY and you know what? You might just make it 9000 one day at a times? the goal is daily dependence. Even if I get a bunch of clean days behind me, I still have to do the right thing today.
I'm so glad you are here TODAY!!!!! I hope to see you tomorrow too - LOL, :) !!!
Hang in there! You are NOT alone! Thx for writing on this awsum topic!