The Old Cajun reflects on sobriety and life in general........

I have seen sober people at every meeting I have attended. Every person there was a living example of the 12 steps at work. If I am burned up, indignant, frustrated over what is shared or how the meeting is run I need to look at myself. If members are not tying everything in their lives back to the 12 steps, is that a bad meeting? Where do I get the ego to criticize others? In my zeal to carry the message, am I distracted from that duty because others are not doing it my way? Every person who studies the book and the steps interprets them differently, that fact is inescapable and undeniable. Every event in my life has shaped, in some way, the words I am typing now. If I find fault with another's approach, interpretation, or practice then humility is only a theory in my life. Judging people by what they say in a meeting is like judging a film by one frame. Thanks to all who post here, ESPECIALLY those who disagree with me. I don't learn anything from those whose methods and beliefs are a mirror of my own. The absence of at least occasional discomfort in sobriety is not my goal, sobriety is not a chair to sit in but a field to be planted, cared for and harvested, over and over again to sustain my life. Sober on, my brothers and sisters, never hesitate to challenge beliefs and practices, especially your own!

The Old Cajun reflects on sobriety and life in general................a

I have seen sober people at every meeting I have attended. Every person there was a living example of the 12 steps at work. If I am burned up, indignant, frustrated over what is shared or how the meeting is run I need to look at myself. If members are not tying everything in their lives back to the 12 steps, is that a bad meeting? Where do I get the ego to criticize others? In my zeal to carry the message, am I distracted from that duty because others are not doing it my way? Every person who studies the book and the steps interprets them differently, that fact is inescapable and undeniable. Every event in my life has shaped, in some way, the words I am typing now. If I find fault with another's approach, interpretation, or practice then humility is only a theory in my life. Judging people by what they say in a meeting is like judging a film by one frame. Thanks to all who post here, ESPECIALLY those who disagree with me. I don't learn anything from those whose methods and beliefs are a mirror of my own. The absence of at least occasional discomfort in sobriety is not my goal, sobriety is not a chair to sit in but a field to be planted, cared for and harvested, over and over again to sustain my life. Sober on, my brothers and sisters, never hesitate to challenge beliefs and practices, especially your own!

The ProgrAAm

Mark 'Cajun' LeBlanc

If I want to pick this program apart, I can and you can. I spent the better part of 50 years trying to prove or disprove the existence of a particular higher power. I stayed drunk. When I reached a level of desperation and revulsion at what my life had become, I prayed for faith. Little by little, I learned that faith was the key, not proof, and faith came to me. We can analyze, examine, criticize and complain, or we can look at the results, ALL the results. Some fail the program, the truth eludes them until it is too late. Does that mean as my friend says, we should stop seeking every day, look for loopholes and fallacies to prepare for failure? Not me, and if you are on that quest of negativity, I will call you on it. I will speak up lest damage be done to someone who is not so far along the path as I. I only wish for all the daily reprieve that I have been granted. I don't live in unhealthy fear anymore but I haven't discarded caution, I am not foolish. I thank God for the people in this program who "call me on my s***", and if you are my brother or sister in this program, I will do the same for you. Sometimes I don't like it and you may not either, but to do less is a betrayal.

Old Cajun Proverb

To whom it may concern: I don't accept your judgement and I don't require your approval. I live my life in atonement for those who forgive and even for those who don't. That is all I can do.----Old Cajun Proverb

Cajun Ramblin'

Ever wonder why we put down coasters to keep the alcohol from taking the finish off the table and then pour it down our throats? I mean, shouldn't the fact that it removes varnish and paint be a HINT?

ON HUMILITY

A friend who died a few years ago summed it up when he said "I always thought cancer only happened to the other guy and then I realized that to everyone else in the world, I AM the other guy".

Old Cajun Proverb

"Love all, like most and do no harm.

Old Cajun Proverb 1/14/11

The elevator is going down, you can get off on whichever floor you wish. Just remember, the only way back up is to take the steps.