Re: [12-step-free} gratitude???

March 25, 1999

Sue,

I cannot really relate at this point, because I actually associate AA

participation with drinking. I actually fear AA involvement for this

reason. I am afraid that buying into the doctrine of powerlessness will

in a sense kill me. As for spiritual longings, or a sense of gratitude, I

have no problem with thanking the Great Whatever for just being alive.

AA has no monopoly on the G word. I am a faithful member of a Unitarian

Universalist church. I'm not saying, " go to church. " I simply feel

that spiritual and religious feelings are normal for most people, and

needn't be seen as call to AA. You got you sober, no matter what they may

have told you, IMO

Does that help? Thanks so much for your thoughtful post. I am choosing

abstinence myself, so I get an extra kick from posts by fellow 12 step

free teetotalers.

Thanks,

March 22, 2000

Hi ,

Your AA experience sounds very similar to mine. When I

finally gave in to step 1, I was a goner. Believing I

was powerless was the worst thing that could have happened

to my already beaten self.

I am having a small problem with a certain area when it

comes to deprogramming. Maybe you or someone in the group

can spark some rational thinking into my mind on this. I

really hope that I am not resorting to old AA tactics by

bringing this up to the group. I realize that that is what

I would have done at a meeting. I hope this is okay here.

Anyway, here it is.... every once in awhile as I look back

at the time period where I finally put the drink down,

I wonder why this happened. I was such a miserable

mess. Why me? Why am I not still drinking? Then I begin to

feel like I should be grateful (sorry 'bout that word) to

someone or something. And that leads me back to confused

thoughts about AA. It's disturbing to feel that I should be

thankful to them after all that occured after the fact

that I go " sober " there.

Sue

>

______________________________________________________

March 22, 2000

You put the drink down because you are smart and strong.

" sue styd " wrote:

original article:/group/12-step-free/?start=13843

>

> Hi ,

>

> Your AA experience sounds very similar to mine. When I

> finally gave in to step 1, I was a goner. Believing I

> was powerless was the worst thing that could have happened

> to my already beaten self.

>

> I am having a small problem with a certain area when it

> comes to deprogramming. Maybe you or someone in the group

> can spark some rational thinking into my mind on this. I

> really hope that I am not resorting to old AA tactics by

> bringing this up to the group. I realize that that is what

> I would have done at a meeting. I hope this is okay here.

>

> Anyway, here it is.... every once in awhile as I look back

> at the time period where I finally put the drink down,

> I wonder why this happened. I was such a miserable

> mess. Why me? Why am I not still drinking? Then I begin to

> feel like I should be grateful (sorry 'bout that word) to

> someone or something. And that leads me back to confused

> thoughts about AA. It's disturbing to feel that I should be

> thankful to them after all that occured after the fact

> that I go " sober " there.

>

> Sue

>

> >

> ______________________________________________________

March 22, 2000