March 14

Betty Ann Says:

Willingness seems to come and go for me some days, and it seems that once I know of the proper action to take, God then increases my pain until I become willing to take it. Once I begin to work the steps on a particular issue, the follow through is very important. If I make my way through four and five, and then balk I find myself back at powerlessness pretty quickly. That's why they're in order for a reason.

March 15

Trish Says:

Thinking clearly and being able to make good decisions is easier when you take care of yourself, but also takes some adapting when you've abused your body for so long. Plus it feels much better to be in control of myself and emotions rather than letting people and other substances control me. You can't trust other people to always treat you well, but you can always trust yourself to be good to you.

March 16

Shawila Says:

I came into AA with many expectations, and those thoughts failed me. I had one day of being clean and I wanted 10 years like some others I knew. I thought time (quantity) clean from alcohol and drugs was a award or something. How much I had discovered in time the true meaning of time in sobriety. It probably wasn't until I was close to 12 years sober in this program did I really know how much time had been a gift to me. Time is time and nothing more.

March 17

Tom N. Says:

All I ever thought about was drinking. I became an expert at budgeting my money so that I always had enough to get through the month without going without alcohol. It was at this point that I realized I was out of control and alcohol was ruling my life every minute, whether I was drinking then or planning my next drink. I made a decision to take control and stop. It has been a year now and everyone I know has told me how much I have grown, and become more pleasant to be around.

March 18

Jack Says:

Spirituality is the key to unlocking fears of Sobriety. LIFE - Living It For Eternity! When you can grasp this, you can begin to live again.

March 19

Walt B. Says:

Through the gifts of Alcoholic's Anonymous (The steps, literature, fellowship and service) I am able to see who I was, the horrors I put myself and my family through and the miracle of what can be, as long as I insist on keeping the "plug in the jug." Once I choose to pick up, all bets are off on my ability to live a respectful, decent, social and moral existence.

March 20

Debra Says:

In the almost six years I have been sober, I have found for me that gratitude is the "drink" of AA. Whenever I am in confusion, fear or ego, if I go to gratitude, I have that warm feeling going down to my heart -- that which alcohol used to achieve.

March 21

Cheryl H. Says:

My husband stayed in total denial for 5 years. In and out of rehab, but never with the mindset to succeed. I will never forget his last hospitalization when I told him he was dying. He had a look of total amazement on his face - like "are you talking to me?" Al-Anon helped me retain my sanity in spite of his problem.

March 22

BooBoo Says:

I am thankful to my Higher Power to be starting a new year clean and sober. Lots of tests have come my way lately, but something tells me things are going to be okay.

March 23

Harry Says:

The book entitled, "Living Sober," says that the road to sobriety starts with one sober hour. Those hours can multiply into one sober day, but if you don't complete the first day, the next day beckons. Each day stands alone and can be filled with joy or misery as you wish. In the days of my 41 years as a member of the fellowship, I've managed to remember that each day is one unto itself, so I live it to the best of my ability in happiness and sobriety.

If I run the show today, things won't go my way- what I paradox! Pg 45, Big Book of AA:"Lack of Power, that was our dilemma. We had to find a Power by which we could live, and it had to be a Power Greater Than Ourselves. Obviously, but where and how to find this Power?" ( Chapter:We Agnostics)

Chapter : How it Works: Pg:68
Third step:"Perhaps there is a better way-we think so. For now we are on a different basis; the basis of trusting and relying upon God. We trust infinite God rather than our finite selves. We are in the world to play the role He assigns. Just to the extent that we do as we think He would have us, and humbly rely on Him, does He enable us to match calamity with serenity."
I thought I would start this day with those reminders for myself, and share them with others. This is because I pray the third step prayer every morning and then arise to once again try to run my own show. Every tiny instant that I remember to give it over to my Higher Power and am then calmed by His Presence my faith is increased, my fear is diminished. Thank you for maintaining this website.

March 24

Radar Says:

I have come to believe that what is true for me, that my mother is an alcoholic, does not have to be true for everyone else -- my mother, father, siblings -- who in varying degrees deny that there is any problem. My reality that my mother is an alcoholic and that this has drastically affected my life in the past is mine alone for me to learn about and deal with for myself and no one else and certainly not the alcoholic.

March 25

Colleen Says:

If I keep God first, practice the steps on a daily basis, my life is good. It is only when I get in the driver's seat and do it my way, I start heading back to the old me and old way of life. I have to renew myself on a daily basis. I have done this successfully for 23 years.

March 26

Maryann Says:

I am absolutely convinced when I try it on my own, HP shows me I can't. My moods become darker, I become miserable and snap at anyone. HP has shown me I need a face-to-face meeting. Until I get to a meeting I need to read my literature. It's is if I were a boat stranded on a reef and I won't get off until I sit patiently for the tide to gently lift me off and set my sail in the proper direction.

March 27

Mark Says:

By re-examining my life as I knew it, I had forgot about God. I have brought him back into my life and he lets me know when I start running my own way. He now is and will always be my Higher Power. My life is now making sense and getting better, day by day. Thank you for 14 months of sobriety.