Sunday, November 27, 2011

November 27

From yesterday's trail run.
Yesterday I registered for a Olympic distance triathlon.  I talked one of my friends into registering for it too.  I am very excited about this.  It is challenging, but won't kill me like marathon training.  I only have to train to swim one mile, bike 25 miles, and run a 10K (6.2 miles).  Fun!  I am going to get on my bike this afternoon for only the second time in this calendar year.  I have become so afraid of biking after 2 accidents.  But I will get on and do my best not to let fear control me.

I went to a meeting this morning where I saw many nice people I like a lot.  It is nice when that happens.  But regardless if it happens or not, I need to go to meetings.  Because AA meetings are not really a social event, although it sometimes seems like they are.

Someone came by last night and left one of those "turds on the front lawn" kind of comments.  He told me that my behavior was so bad that "there are plenty of bars that will have you."  And "if you don't like what I have to say, tough.  Go whine about it."  Well, it's my blog and I just delete bullshit like that.  If you don't like it, go talk to your sponsor about it.

I think this is a classic example of the "tough" without the "love."

And furthermore, why would you argue with someone's experience?  It was my experience I was talking about - not my opinion.  My experience.

My experience in AA has not been a straight line - and I will be the first to tell anyone that.  I will also be quick to add that I have been sober since the day I hit the doors - on July 24, 1984.  My point is usually that it is not up to me and my glorious WORK.   It is by the Grace of God that I am sober.  I believe the Grace of God is available to anyone who asks and has faith.   There was some amount of cooperation required on my part and I did that to the best of my ability.  In the beginning, I didn't have much ability, but I still did my best.  Later my ability grew.

Let's try not to be judgmental asshats, OK?

We are all in the same lifeboat, let's try to get along.

Speaking of lifeboats, I am reading a book that I am finding riveting!  It is called "Unbroken," and it is about an incredible man who found himself in a plane wreck in the Pacific in WWII - and then became a Prisoner of War.  If you want to get really grateful really quick, try reading that book.

Have a beautiful sober day today.  Remember we are all doing our best, and sometimes it isn't very good.  But we can learn how to live, one day at a time, sober - by the Grace of God.

9 comments:

Annette said...

Gosh, who would want to leave a nasty message like that? And why? I don't get it. Well anyway....

MC, you inspire me. A triathlon?! And this isn't your first if I remember correctly. You are amazing. In so many wonderful ways...good for you for deleting yukky comments like the one you received. I think those people are called trolls....and for good reason. Ugly little people slinking around in secrecy.

atomic momma said...

Good golly. I think whoever left that comment did it out of rage and self hatred for himself/herself - nothing you wrote. Anyway, I feel bad for whoever left it because that is alot of hurt and anger inside someone to do that.

Tough day out here myself. I just got a sheet of paper and have been writing out the Serenity Prayer over and over again until I calm down or get it or both. Whichever comes first.

Thanks for your post.

Anonymous said...

I don't understand the comment either but I love the use of the word "asshat" anytime it can get worked into a sentance, so thanks for that! Also, thanks for the book recommendation as I will be on vacation soon and would love to read something riveting that would also fill me with gratitude. Have a great week, Mary.

steveroni said...

Never saw the word asshat before, but from the sound, if I am not one, that is a day of progress.

I've not gotten--ever--a comment like you received. Once a girl wrote me a note saying she was an AA old-timer with 8 years, and did not wish to be treated like a beginner. (sigh!)

What I get is the "cold shoulder" (never visit, never respond) which, to me, is more hurtful than any comment could ever be. I cannot delete "cold shoulder"...

Mary, your blog has been a guiding light for me--and I mean these words--No Matter What.

PEACE!

Mary LA said...

We ARE all in the same lifeboat. I also delete those kinds of comments and at this time of year there are many ill and angry people trolling the Internet. That books sounds inspiring.

Good on you for the triathlon commitment!

Lou said...

I don't get it. Sounds like you handled it.

I have that book on my nightstand, can't wait to get to it now!

Syd said...

MC, I don't understand the motivation of those who wish to inflict pain--fear maybe of your truth? Anyway, comments like that aren't about you. They are about the other person who is hurting and sick. I know you know that. Just had to say that I am happy about the triathlon. It made me smile today after tears.

Mary Christine said...

In defense of the commenter - he was commenting on a post of mine called "men and women in AA" - written several years ago. In this post, I confess to transgressions in early sobriety. That is what he was judging about.

He ended by saying that he tells men to avoid women like me. Really? The grandmother who is knitting in the meeting?

It was clear to me that he didn't really read the whole post - or didn't understand it.

Anonymous said...

who in the world would leave that kind of nasty comment on THIS blog?! makes zero sense to me. i always really take what you say to heart; you seem like none of the things that commenter was insinuating.