Tomorrow I am going to a 6:30 a.m. meeting. My friend Bud is celebrating 21 years of sobriety and I get to pass my 21 year chip to him!!! Yay!
After the meeting, I get to go to work and get ready for my 9:00 presentation. I get such butterflies over this presentation - even though I have given it 4 times a year for over 5 years. I never get used to it. But the handouts are ready, 20 copies are sitting on my desk, all printed up in color - graphs, charts, and all.
Today was great. I met with my boss this morning. I went to the tanning salon at lunch and ran into an AA friend. The guy who owns the salon is a "dry" alkie - he won't go to meetings. Anyway, we had a little meeting there for about 10 minutes. It was really nice. After work, I met my friend the rec therapist at the gym and we ran, side by side, on dreadmills. It was fun. I hate working out AFTER work, but I was glad to get a workout in. I won't have time tomorrow. Then, dripping sweat, I went to the 5:30 meeting. It was a great meeting, mostly brand new people shared. I kept my mouth shut.
After the meeting, I got to watch something that just tickled me. A woman was inviting me to a party at her house on Friday night. We are going to watch "My name is Bill W." and eat pizza. She invited a bunch of people. One of my dear friends said, "oh, and you are having a Super Bowl party!" She said she wasn't, but she could. Next thing you know, he was walking around telling everyone about it, and we are all planning the Super Bowl party at her house. Apparently she has a nice TV - and she was actually agreeable to the idea of a party at her house. I LOVE ALCOHOLICS. We are such a trip!
And I am grateful and humbled that I have only just begun attending this meeting in August and already I feel I belong there. It is a wonderful thing. The other night I was feeling blue and talked to my buddy Larry. He told me that whenever he mentions my name, people say "oh, the one who laughs!" I don't mind being known like that. This has come up several times recently and has really helped me with some of the issues I am dealing with.
Sorry to go on and on. I will stop. Thanks for listening...
"The rewards of sobriety are bountiful and as progressive as the disease they counteract. Certainly among these rewards for me are the release from the prison of uniqueness, and the realization that participation in the AA way of life is a blessing and a privilege beyond estimate -- a blessing to live a life free from the pain and degradation of drinking and filled with the joy of useful, sober living, and a privilege to grow in sobriety one day at a time and bring the message of hope as it was brought to me." -- Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th ed. p. 451
11 comments:
We seem to wear diseased eyeglasses that keep us from seeing us as others do. I find that fascinating.
She Who Laughs. Nice way to be known.
Thanks
The one who writes great entries and gives people with less time in the program experience, strength and HOPE.
Willa
LOL dont feel like you have to stop on my account, I could read and read when you share thanks MC.
I know it will all go well today for your presentation- hope you can get another run in.
((((HUGS)))))
Shannon
Holy shit!
JJ's 2 cents plus some.
My girlfriend this post is EXCELLENT! I just have this big smile on my face reading it.
I had to do a presentation last night too and about 3/4 of the way through I got real emotional and had to call a recess (long story) and compose myself but when I came back I apologized for being unprofessional but explained that I am so passionate about what I was presenting and it all worked out in the end........thank God.
Tanning........OMG.....I go once a week during the winter because I swear I have that SAD disorder.
The movie "My name is Bill W." is AWESOME and the evening sounds like it will be a blast. Wish I could be there.
I love alcoholics too and I love you and OMG I love this post.
I think we are sisters.
Sending tons of love your way MC.
JJ
The presentation this morning? I spilled green tea all over the conference table - as I was presenting... so I ran out of the room to get paper towels. Very cool! Actually, it broke some of the tension.
Awesome
It is fun how we can be more spontaneous today in what we do. The people that I stayed with this last weekend had one of those nice big screen tv's now I want one, it is not a need and not really that important but it is nice to see it all like you are really there.
FAEA
Shows we are all human!
JJ
how good to be known for laughter for joy--- we Alanons can be such a glum lot--- I'm so glad you found that laugh inside and can let it be seen er heard
Bill Wilson's Message
To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out brief candle.
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more; it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
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