Companionship

"Letting go of everything at once was both painful and terrifying. I could never have accomplished this alone. It took the help, understanding and wonderful companionship that was given so freely to me by my 'ex-alkie' friends. This and the program of recovery embodied in the Twelve Steps . . . Whole new vistas were opened up for me, new avenues of experience to be explored, and life began to take on color and interest."
c. 1976 AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 311

Thought to Consider . . .

This is a great day to be sober, patient, tolerant, kindly and loving.

AACRONYMS

C A R E
Comforting And Reassuring Each other

Seek guidance

We are learning to seek guidance on how to handle the serious circumstances of our lives. We used to feel we had to figure out everything for ourselves. What a gift it is to seek suggestions from friends we can trust. And hearing others tell how a line in a book gave them a needed answer has become a valuable tool too.

Relying on the silence for our answers, we are less certain at first. We can't always tell if it's our ego directing us rather than our Higher Power. The important thing is that we are looking for help. We are no longer blocked by our need to be self-reliant in all matters.

Topics are 1) friendship in AA 2) gratitude 3) staying sober through grief

  Donna S grateful recovering alcoholic   NJ
 
Gratitude.... I have such gratitude for the time I had with Mae ♥
She was an inspiration to me and so many others in this room...
She was always there for me ... such a giving lady who taught me mpre
 about patience and tolerance she showed me and others that it IS possible to get and stay sober in this room she was a big part of our Big Book Study Meeting and she is SO missed...but she WILL live forever in my heart!!!! ♥
Thank you Tina for ur tribute to Mae on ur blog ♥

Special Friends

Thank you For Listening to me, When I needed Someone to hear. 

I could always Count on You To lend A sympathetic ear. 

Thank you For Standing by me, When I needed Support. 

I could always Count on You For a clear And Honest rapport.

Thank you For Being 'square' with me, When I lied to myself. 

My friend You Opened my eyes To the truth,

When I felt There was nothing left 

My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me.

--Henry Ford

To be a friend involves risk. Friends confront each other when it's needed, but they do it out of love and with compassion. All of us need a friend who will tell us when we are acting out of line, when we are "not able to see the forest for the trees." Friends are there for us in the struggles – rooting us on, maybe teasing us a bit, helping us get past the difficulties and eventually helping us find the gift embedded in them. Friends risk upsetting us, if it means we may become better people.