Drinking, Know I Shouldn't...

[Sundae]

I've been to three AA (AAA) meetings. Hated them, hated them, hated them. One for each time I went. May have been four. Hated that too.

Just not me, sorry.
Everyone talks about God, and how God saved them, and protected them, and led them to a final denouement. I know the official line is that you don't have to believe in God, but you DO have to believe in a higher power. I tried making that evolution, but when you're listening to a bunch of people talk about the guy with the big white beard ("sometimes they confuse me Santa Claus") and you're thinking of Darwin, it's hard to take it seriously.

I've never read a POV from a successful atheist AAer.
Maybe we're all godless and hopeless.
If there was a similar godless organisation I genuinely would give it a try.
Huh. Smokers don't have this problem! They get patches!

[SamIam]

Well, S,G., if you hated, hated, hated it so much for that thought. I'm neither an atheist nor a Bible thumper. When people talk about Santa-God, this turns me off, too. I just find it helpful to spend some time with people who are dealing with the same problem as I am. Hope you come across something that works for you.

[ZenGum]

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl

but when you're listening to a bunch of people talk about the guy with the big white beard ("sometimes they confuse me Santa Claus") and you're thinking of Darwin, it's hard to take it seriously.

LMAO. Well, laughed out loud and even applauded. Really.

Sundae ... maybe the Cellar is your higher power. We comfort you in distress, praise your achievements, chastise you when you slip, but forgive you and encourage further effort. And UT has a beard. What more can you ask for?

Be good, and love yourself, 'cause we said so.

[skysidhe]

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl

I've been to three AA (AAA) meetings. Hated them, hated them, hated them. One for each time I went. May have been four. Hated that too.

Just not me, sorry.
Everyone talks about God, and how God saved them, and protected them, and led them to a final denouement. I know the official line is that you don't have to believe in God, but you DO have to believe in a higher power. I tried making that evolution, but when you're listening to a bunch of people talk about the guy with the big white beard ("sometimes they confuse me Santa Claus") and you're thinking of Darwin, it's hard to take it seriously.

I've never read a POV from a successful atheist AAer.
Maybe we're all godless and hopeless.
If there was a similar godless organisation I genuinely would give it a try.
Huh. Smokers don't have this problem! They get patches!

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl

I've been to three AA (AAA) meetings. Hated them, hated them, hated them. One for each time I went. May have been four. Hated that too.

I have never liked support groups either and never have participated and joined them. I refuse to sit around and talk about how hard something is.

To me there is something of a loss of personal power and perhaps that is what you feel? I think there is much to be said being responsible for one's own self and using the brains and will power we were born with.

I always find truth in watching nature. Weeds always come up through the cracks in the pavement. When a tree falls another always grows to replace it. Flowers grow up toward the sky and baby birds without ever being told (?- lol) how will propel themselves from the nest in an attempt to fly. The natural world points to the fact that its energies are geared toward improvement. Even if you believe in Darwin's theory you can see that animals evolve to a better form eventually. Inside you is that very same energy that strives to be better and you will find the tools to accomplish what your heart desires. It just takes time. You just have to want it over and over again until those times in between drinking become greater and greater. You'll keep fighting to progress because it is in natures design that you do. I believe anyone who doesn't just makes a choice not to.

ps. To be fair I do believe in god. Not in the typical way but in the way I described. I've been agnostic. I've been a church goer. Now I am nothing but someone who still finds nature so incredible I have to concede in a higher power but on my own terms. Stop thinking about the bearded men think about the god given power in you. The part of you that makes you a beautiful person.

Originally Posted by Shawnee123

SG...every step you learn. No shame allowed.

I agree with this so much. I think it is at the heart of the matter.

Kick shame's butt. Kill it. Kill the shame.