Coping Mechanisms

I have no ideas to blog about tonight, so I thought I would check my site meter and check out the latest search that brought a reader here.  It was "coping mechanisms alcoholics anonymous."  I wrote a post titled "Coping Mechanisms" in 2006.  It wasn't really about coping mechanisms, it was about my son's impending departure for Iraq during the worst year of that war.  Honestly, when I look back on that, I am amazed that I functioned at all during that year!

Now I am trying to cope with a new job after leaving my old job of over 17 years.  Even I am bored with writing about how tired I am.  I can't imagine why anyone would want to read about it.  But I appreciate anyone who has hung in there with me for the last 6 weeks.  Thank you.

I wonder if anyone even worries about coping mechanisms anymore.  It seems everyone takes a pill for every ill, especially anxiety.  We didn't used to do that.  Now, please don't get me wrong, there are times when a recovering alcoholic needs to take medications - I would never dispute that.

But I have to say that there has been tremendous benefit for me in walking through my uncomfortable feelings.  I have had to learn how to cope with things I would rather not cope with.  I have had to learn what works best for me.

This blog has so many entries listing the things I do to help me cope, but just to reiterate:

• Prayer, prayer, and more prayer.
• Quiet time, at least an hour a day
• Social time every day - even if only on the phone
• An AA contact - even if only on the phone - every single day
• Helping others - they don't have to be AA members - gets me out of my self quicker than anything
• Good food, no junk
• Lots of sleep!
• Exercise - preferably in the sunshine and fresh air

Notice that I didn't include going to meetings or reading the big book.  Certainly those are in the mix.  I think that is just a given for alcoholics if they want to stay sober.

And right now my biggest encouragement is "This Too Shall Pass."  

Please join me in thanking God for another day of sobriety.