Before the Now
I’ve Got Some Good News and Some Bad News
Before.
Any life event was cause for a drink. i could mentally transform any small bump in the road into a life event so tragic the only way to survive it was a drink.
i was also able to blow any insignificant bubble out of such proportion that the only way to justifiably celebrate its magnitude was to fill it with booze until it blew up in my face.
Basically, whatever happened to me required a drink.
Now.
i understand the difference between a small bump and a big problem.
i recognize the distinction between a happy tiding and awesome news.
i also know none of the above merits a relapse.
Posted on July 16, 2012, in Alcoholics Anonymous, Alcoholism, Lessons in Recovery, Recovery and tagged AA, alcohol, Alcohol Recovery, alcoholic, Alcoholics Anonymous, alcoholism, Gratitude, Instincts, mental-health, Recovery, What i learned in AA. Bookmark the permalink. 7 Comments.
Right on #3 … after. (The pic … holy me oh my)! WTF is she up to, and how did she get in that position? Superglue?
I still struggle with impulse stuff. I still get all worked up over “stuff” that, in reality, will BE O.K.
… course i don’t drink over all these little inconveniences, but i tend to react, then rethink. Doesn’t always make life smooth. Still … no reason to drug-up.
No reason at all, as long as we can keep things in perspective and maintain.
As for the pic, it’s of a Chinese student (21, i believe) who tried to commit suicide in her wedding dress a couple days after being left by her boyfriend of 4 years while they were planning the wedding. This story has since been blown out of proportion on the internet but the current version (a woman tried to commit suicide on her wedding day when she learned her finacé left her for her best friend and some man caught her just as she was flying out the window) isn’t true. She’d been sitting on the ledge for hours (not nabbed mid-flight), the couple were only in the planning stages of the wedding (not the day of), the man left her for another woman (but not her best friend)…still, the truth is harsh enough.
My reason for using this picture was to illustrate that even awful news isn’t going to be able to send me to the place this poor woman went to.
All the facts regarding the photo are here.
Thanks for the visit, Mel, and keep coming back!
Al K Hall
Hey Al … i’ve sort of been on “thinking” and writing vacation … that’s why i haven’t been around. The heat and some family stuff has effected (or is it AFFECTED) my incredible INABILITY to concentrate on one thing, one topic, one sentence at a time. I feel like i’m following dad down the demntia trail. Treatment: Meditation, work, vegetation of mind: crossword puzzles, naps, chat-ups with my man … some social media. swimming, walking. Nothing that requires any creativity or stress. So there you have it: Life in a bubble (yet inclusive).
No worries, Mel! i saw that you needed to get a little distance from the material, which is something i totally get. i hope the family stuff gets worked out in the way it has to and especially that it’s resolution doesn’t shake you up too much either way. Stay the Warrior, babe!
And keep coming back,
Al K Hall
This has to be my favorite blog post I have ever read from you AL, EVER. And yes I’m re-blogging it.
Now tell me about that picture.
Bats! i’m flattered! Coming from someone i respect as much i respect you, it’s a true honor.
As for the story behind the pic, here’s what i told Mel:
Keep coming back, my good friend!
Al K Hall
Reblogged this on The She Chronicles and commented:
Exactly.