If I make it another 24 hours . . .

[Journeyman]

I'll have 20 years of sobriety.



My thanks to all who've helped me over the years. Whatever I may have given can be but a fraction of what I've received.

[varkam]

1. Congrats!

:pals: That's a fantastic achievement! Any words of wisdom?

[Journeyman]

4. Thank you. . .

I wish I had words of wisdom, the magical incantation that would keep everyone sober and sane, but as we all well know such words don't exist even in fairy tales. All I can share is something I was told early in my sobriety: "Just resolve not to drink today, no matter what."

And if anything, that's been the key to my sobriety: "…no matter what." Neither good times nor bad, success or failure, edginess or complacency -- in each and everything I did and said I resolved to not drink at that moment no matter what, and followed it the next moment with the same resolve. And here I am, all these moments later, stringing moments together same as I did at the start.

Again, thanks for your support. Unlike my drinking, my sobriety has been a group effort, so when I receive help or support from others I know I am moving right for myself, which is the only time I know I can do well for others.

[varkam]

6. Thank you and congrats - it's now 24 hours later.

:pals: You give me hope.

[NMDemDist2]

2. welll It's Monday now so CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!

you *did* stay sober last night didn't you?

:party: :woohoo: :bounce: :yourock: :party: :woohoo: :bounce: :yourock: :party: :woohoo: :bounce: :yourock: :party: :woohoo: :bounce: :yourock: :party: :woohoo: :bounce: :yourock: :party: :woohoo: :bounce: :yourock: :party: :woohoo: :bounce: :yourock: :party: :woohoo: :bounce: :yourock: :party: :woohoo: :bounce: :yourock: :party: :woohoo: :bounce: :yourock: :party: :woohoo: :bounce: :yourock: :party: :woohoo: :bounce: :yourock: :party: :woohoo: :bounce: :yourock:

[KitchenWitch]

3. That is AWESOME

How'djadoit?

:7

[Journeyman]

5. Thank you. . .

I did it with the help of AA though not from within AA.

Off and on, sometimes without interruption though often with large gaps, I've attended AA meetings throughout my sober years. I date my sobriety from the second day I attended an AA meeting (can't do it from the first -- I was drunk when I arrived and went straight to a bar at meeting's close, newly acquired Big Book in hand).

There are aspects of the program with which I strongly disagree and facets I don't want to live without. Fortunately, I have a unique home group I stumbled into during my first thirsty-days. It's the only meeting I continue to attend. Lot of sobriety there. In fact, when I take my cake tomorrow, I'll still be a less-than-average drunk: among the three of us who celebrate in September, the average this year will be 22 years sobriety. And lots of different types of sober people, too, so my relation to the fellowship doesn't stand out as too exceptional.

What I will share at this meeting Wednesday evening, however, is my firm belief my sobriety has been a group project. Without the example of all the others I've known through the years, I'd never have learned how to live sober. And without a sober life, I'd never have found how much I care for the people around me. All I hope, each year, is that I'll measure up to the gift so freely given me by so many others, and in the measuring find the means to "pay it forward."

[mtowngman]

7. congratulations

20 years-that's awesome
thanks for giving

[SPKrazy]

8. Congrats man

:woohoo:


:hug:

[Kajsa]

9. Congratulations ,Journeyman.

One Day at a Time you got 20 years together,
clean and sober!

A Belated Happy, Happy Birthday to you.

:party: :toast: :bounce: :toast: :party:
( that's rootbeer. ;-) )