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The loss of one electron often turns an atom from negative to positive. Five simple rules of happiness:
Breathe in Faith... Breathe out Fear...
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Cadillacs and Diamond Rings
Chapter Two
"There
ain't no Coupe de Ville's lyin' at the bottom of a Crackerjack box," goes
the pop song lyric. My father had recently passed away, tragically, by his own
hand. To my knowledge, he had only had one ride in a Cadillac - his last. I
wanted more than that! The next day I tried it and it worked, I didn't drink! On
again, off again for a week but every day I went to an AA - meeting, I didn't
have to drink. It was miraculous! I
knew where there was a big old Cadillac for sale and its owner would trust
me for the money so I brought it home and put it in my driveway. Screw the
neighbors and all their gossip; that would show them! I
was very proud and drove the testimony of my newfound sobriety to all the
meetings so that, I too, could become a part of the attraction. And it worked;
soon a fellowship was growing up around me. I had a good sponsor, I was
sponsoring several others and doing service work. And without the debilitating
effects of my drinking I was able to go back to work at my trade and earn a
decent living for myself, and my recently reinstated, though neurotic, family. The
results of my newfound sobriety were outstanding. By the time my one year
birthday party came around I was able to get a second Cadillac, one that more
closely matched the color of my eyes, and a one carat diamond ring to embellish
my sobriety. I had a wonderful one -year birthday party shared with two of my
new AA friends and about 200 guests at my group, the Four Aces Group. It was
super! Beyond any of my wildest fantasies! I often humorously say that I sobered
up on Cadillacs and diamond rings! But it worked where nothing had worked
before! One
day a couple of months after my first year AA party, I was waiting for my wife
to prepare dinner, it seemed to be taking forever. I began to scold her. She
burst into tears and apologized for being so slow but that unfortunately only
one burner had worked on the stove for the past few years. I did a quick mental
inventory of my fancy automobiles and jewelry. Even
though I'm not the 'sharpest knife in the drawer' it seemed to me th at the
books were not quite balanced. I felt really ashamed of my selfish focus and the
next week we went shopping for appliances and put this matter to rest. She
also mentioned, near the same time, that she might like a bit of communication.
I wasn't sure where to buy that, so I suggested she try the local telephone
company. Now
I mentioned that I cut the Gordian Knot at my first AA meeting and my problems
began to unravel, and have been unraveling ever since then, but that is
different from the "lived happily ever after stories" I often hear at
meetings and take with 'a grain of salt'. Consequently:
a few years later, as I was sitting around my luxurious oak office wondering
where my next Cadillac was coming from. I began to ponder. Where
was I going? What
was I doing all this for? I longed for the simplicity that I had in my life
during those first days of sobriety. All I had to do to be a success in those
days was to not drink and go to a meeting. When
was the last time I went to a meeting for myself? I was still isolated. I had
set myself up as some kind of know-it-all AA success story. Really I didn't know
anything. I couldn't reach out to anybody. Even my own sponsor often couldn't
make any sense of me. My family depended on me now, probably even trusted me. If
they ever knew what some of my thoughts were, they may have had second thoughts. Yes,
it was nice to present all those medallions at AA birthday parties. And
yes, it was true that a bit of sugar would take away the craving for a drink!
But if I eat another chocolate bar, I think I'll throw up right here on my
2" thick oak desk! Why
can't I get through to my son, or talk to my wife, or phone a friend just to
talk? How come I need to have a reason to contact anybody? And,
pray tell, who is going to pay all these bills? An
old Chinese proverb states; " Little hermits live in the wilderness, Big
hermits live in the cities." With
my drinking, the tip of the iceberg, no longer the major issue, I was forced to
address some of my other behaviors, in order to enjoy my sobriety to the
fullest. Although
I had quit casino gambling shortly after entering AA, I discovered I still had
those big shot tendencies that now included parlaying high risk investments,
real estate development and a new relationship with even showier cars (with
three pointed stars), that my AA friends didn't seem compete with. My
own personal version of the American Dream was setting me apart from my fellows.
I craved sex constantly. Also, my use of comfort foods was getting totally out
of hand. Without the numbing effects of alcohol, my food intake had increased to
compensate and consequently I was now a hundred pounds overweight.
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Sex Inventory 2008 Workbook
Call Toll Free 1 877-767-2121 To Purchase with Credit Card or email us to buy with Paypal or Check *** True addiction recovery lies in the ability to deal with root issues, not simply medicate the symptoms of them." DB
"There is a difference between knowing the path and walking the path!" *** You do not have to carry yesterday's hurt and damaged feelings into today. A fresh supply of new feelings is yours for the taking!
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When All Else fails use Rule 62.
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