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bluidkiti · 11-20-2018, 09:23 AM

November 19

Quote of the Week

"Happiness is not having what I want, but wanting what I have."

I spent many years trying to get things to make me happy. If only I could get my college degree, then I’d be happy. As soon as I move to the right city, then I’ll feel fulfilled. When I meet “the one,” then I will be complete and happy. If only I could write that bestseller, then I’d feel accomplished. With each package UPS delivered (from mindless shopping), I’d feel excited for about ten minutes, then I’d feel empty again.

When I entered the program, I was hoping that sobriety would fix not only my drinking but also my steady state of unhappiness. I was sure that if only I could get a thirty-day chip, then a six-month chip, or finally a whole year, then I’d be happy. It was certainly a shock to me to be five and even seven years sober and still find I had days when I was sure the next UPS delivery would fix me. Thankfully, I learned an enduring truth that always works when I work it.

My sponsor taught me, over and over, that things will never bring me that sense of completeness or happiness I seek. He told me that true fulfillment is in the giving, not the getting. I rediscover the wisdom of this when I work with others. They always give me more than I give them. In addition, my sponsor taught me how to feel grateful for all the wonderful things I already do have: my health, sobriety, a roof over my head, money to buy food, a job, and more. He told me that when I want what I already have, that’s when I will realize I already have everything I need to be as happy as I choose to be.

11-20-2018, 09:23 AM	#50
bluidkiti Administrator Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 71,065	November 19 Quote of the Week "Happiness is not having what I want, but wanting what I have." I spent many years trying to get things to make me happy. If only I could get my college degree, then I’d be happy. As soon as I move to the right city, then I’ll feel fulfilled. When I meet “the one,” then I will be complete and happy. If only I could write that bestseller, then I’d feel accomplished. With each package UPS delivered (from mindless shopping), I’d feel excited for about ten minutes, then I’d feel empty again. When I entered the program, I was hoping that sobriety would fix not only my drinking but also my steady state of unhappiness. I was sure that if only I could get a thirty-day chip, then a six-month chip, or finally a whole year, then I’d be happy. It was certainly a shock to me to be five and even seven years sober and still find I had days when I was sure the next UPS delivery would fix me. Thankfully, I learned an enduring truth that always works when I work it. My sponsor taught me, over and over, that things will never bring me that sense of completeness or happiness I seek. He told me that true fulfillment is in the giving, not the getting. I rediscover the wisdom of this when I work with others. They always give me more than I give them. In addition, my sponsor taught me how to feel grateful for all the wonderful things I already do have: my health, sobriety, a roof over my head, money to buy food, a job, and more. He told me that when I want what I already have, that’s when I will realize I already have everything I need to be as happy as I choose to be. __________________ "No matter what you have done up to this moment, you get 24 brand-new hours to spend every single day." --Brian Tracy AA gives us an opportunity to recreate ourselves, with God's help, one day at a time. --Rufus K. When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on. --Franklin D. Roosevelt We stay sober and clean together - one day at a time! God says that each of us is worth loving.