Working The Steps on Thurday

Working the twelve steps in AA can help with a multitude of addictions you may have. It could be alcoholic, eating disorders, gambling, and anything you have an addiction to. These steps have been successful in daily living for millions of people. Why do they work? The only answer I can come up with is that you let go and help others to obtain their destination, whether alcoholic, or a person with an addiction to eating too much or eating too little. You let God take over and let him rule your spirit. It sounds complicated, but if it were easy we would have more sober and less problems in life.

You must work with other alcoholics or you die. That's the truth, Alcohol will kill you eventually if you keep getting sober then slip often enough, this is a proven fact. The twelve steps of alcoholics anonymous was written with you in mind. To help you with daily living without a drink. It works if you work it. Take it easy on your self and make the best of it you can.

Did you know AA is online in chat. Yes, there are AA meetings online and that is wonderful for anyone. It cannot take advantage of the getting out of the house and meeting people though. This is a good way to begin and get your feet wet though with the program itself. You can attend these meetings all day long, and specific times are on these web sites that sponsor such programs.

Do yourself a favor today and attend an AA meeting and go away with something new from someone. It is a program of relief to most of us, and you will not have to suffer alone. God Bless....Christopher Hyer

Wed "The Age Of Anxiety" Sober Again

Historians will probably call our time on earth" the age of anxiety"anxieties are caused by the natural result when our hopes are centered in anything short of God. When we make anything alse our goal, frustration, and defeat are inevitable.Though we have less to worry about than previous generations, we have more worry.We have it easier than our forefathers, we have more uneasiness. We should have less real cause for anxiety, as we believe more in God and practice our spiritual beliefs. It is not easy to do. Try to pray for God to lift your anxieties, some grow into full panic attcks. If this happens go see a doctor and possibly seek medication for this. One must take medication for heart problems and if you have diabetes you have to take medicine. Panic is no different when it controls your life.

There is many problems that God can control, but if there is a chemical imbalance to a person , they need medicine. Do not be afraid to accept this help and be aware of the problems associated with panic disorder medications. Most can be addictive , and help. So it can be a double edged sword to a person taking such medicines. If drinking or a recovering alcoholic , you must make that decision based on your experiences with other medicines. Some frown upon people in AA that take anti-anxiety medicines , yet this should not be an issue unless mixed with alcohol. If you take the medicine as directed and not throw a beer or any other substance in your body , you should be able to take what you need for panic disorder.

Christopherhyer2013

Talk any medicines over with your doctor before taking them. If he thinks there is a problem with you and any medications that he is offering you to help reduce panic disorder, he should inform you. Ask an AA member and they may say just give it to God and let him take over. Remember though , if you have
uncontrollable panic that keeps you from meetings , personally I think the choice is up to you. Remember, also that possibly you will not need medication for the long term of panic disorder. If that is so, you will experience some sort of withdrawal. If you drink stay away from any type of panic disorder medicines. This will only add to your problems.

There will be those who disagree with me from AA on this subject, yet in reality it is those that may need anti-depressants. The people in AA are not doctors and they have no medical experience, so keep this in mind. A doctor is familiar with alcoholics and you must inform them of your addiction , if any, so they may provide any information pertaining to you as a person in the AA program. I hope this helps anybody that has panic disorder as I do. Have a great day and God bless you on this mid week part of your life.

Play Your Hearts Out

I went to see Peter Frampton and Robert Cray last night with a special guest from Elton John's band play in Midland, Texas last night. What a concert!! Robert Cray sang the blues, and unfortunaly it was not played with feeling as Peter got to the floor. Peter Frampton worked the crowd and gave a performance that would rock anyone into loving this guy. He played a good 2 and 1/2 hours of riffs and old tunes that just rocked this sardine packed auditorium we have in Midland. What a sober experience. My son was also impressed with the performance and I encourage you to attend this concert if they come to your area.

It's Sunday and I woke up hung over feeling, I think its because I stayed out till 1230 am this morning, and I met a girl online from Colorado and chatted with her till 130 am. Yes, Chris has found him a friend. She is 28 , hard of hearing, and a doll. However , as an alcoholic without any type of relationship in almost 16 years, I have to take this slow. She is a nurse and wants to come here to be with me, and work in our town. What a deal an alcoholic and a nurse, a match in heaven, she is also from the UK and I love their accents, I melt.I will talk more about her once I get to really know her.

I hope all had a good weekend , yet we still have Sunday to bare down with. My Uncle from Fort Worth is in the AA program and has around 50 years of sobriety. I don't talk to him hardly at all, and tried to call him last night before the concert to let him know of my plans to Kerrville, next weekend. I am not sure why? except it would be nice to have him there while I get my four year chip.

Thats all for now, I will report back at the end of the day, It's been a solid weekend and a great time with God was had. Sober at a concert is an awesome experience, and AA was good this weekend. There is a meting tonight of course and I will be there. Sunday nights are kind of hard on me, because of the following Monday. Go figure...

Robert Cray and Peter Frampton Sober concert

Tonight in Midland, Texas we have some good new and old music coming to town. Robert Cray Band and Peter Frampton. Second concert I have gone sober to in two years. It is interesting now, that you can't smoke or drink in a concert in this auditorium we are goijng to. Its very luxurious and they do have a open bar you can buy drinks at. However , I am taking my son and we will have a blast  enjoying the music I could not get to see as a teenager as these guys were hot in the 70s and 80s.

This is Saturday and I have made reservations to go to Kerrville to La Hacienda treatment center to pick up my four year sober chip. I thought , wow , what better place to pick this up. So i made Hotel arrangements and called to make sure I could come to their AA meeting next weekend. All is on. So I am looking forward to this event as well.

Once you start living in the spirit , the spirit starts living in you. It's an odd deal that is hard to explain. I have open so many doors from AA and the people that do not go to AA. My life has changed even from writing this blog from a few weeks ago. Positive , I think it is. My negative thoughts seem to disapear now. I still have them, just not so often. I look forward to the next day or hour.

I highly suggest you open up a blog and write your journal in it like I am doing. It will open many doors up in your head. It will show you how far you have come in a short while. I am more spiritual and the Issue Man is calm inside me. No battling it out with myself anymore, just accepting life as it is. Very new for me even after 4 years of sobriety. You get better day by day, if you want to. You have to want this way of life, or it won't come to you.

Have a great sober night if you can, if not call someone and talk to them. Be positive in all you do and thank God for what you have. Have a good night.

Oh yeah , got a sponsor today and he is cool. Day by day, night by night you can beat this disease. I am living proof of this. God Bless...

The Spiritual Life Is Not A Theory

The spiritual life is not a theory as we read this in the big book of AA.  We “Have” to experience it. The behavior we present will manifest itself to others who will be baffled by our creative selves. We may even faze ourselves as to how change has come upon us from our new found spiritual life.

This all comes from knowing and understanding God as we see him. Or how you see him. Sometimes a spiritual connection to God will just some over us from being in our AA group. Others get a spiritual relief in all sorts of ways. A spiritual awakening is the most gratifying experience one can take. It is when you no longer take control, yet give power over to God as you see him. I may be repeating myself here, but rightfully so. God controls our thoughts and actions when we let him. A simple prayer will do this

Painting By Christopher Hyer2013

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There are those who cannot or will not disclose their minds to let God come into their lives. There are such unfortunates, but they can if they give God a try. Kneeling at your bed at night and praying for divine relief is a prerequisite for those of us that trust in him, first thing in the morning while taking a shower, pray to God, this works also.  I have work to do today, and I have to ask God to help me stop shaking and allow me to  concentrate on the now, not the later. That is my problem, and I ask for guidelines through God for this action. Does it seem to be? Usually if I let go and let God take over.

The spirit of God is all around us, the beauty of women, flowers and trees, are all God like objects to me. They are all beautiful and not possible without the spirit of God. I can see so many different things in my life that made me sick before now that I can change my life over to God. A new awakening is a sense of being ok with your thoughts. God will allow it, but you must apply for it.

Love and Tolerance

Good day to  everyone that   has found this blog. I am Chris and I am a recovering alcoholic. I have been sober more than 4 years and I love life today. I have my obstacles to overcome and who doesn't. This blog is to help other alcoholics get through today and hopefully the new person that is just curious as to how we do it.

The first thing you do in AA or anything in life is not drink for today. The craving will go away once you accept God into your life. Do not fret for not a one of us have been perfect at maintaining our sobriety. Some of us have slipped and fell and drank again, saying that we were going to stop. Then when you have a spiritual awakening, whatever that could be for you. You will lose all craving and want to learn how to live sober.

Living sober by reading the many books out there. The little red Big Book is what I carry with me, so many prayers are in it. There is hardly much about drinking in this book. There is a lot of information to getting through the day. Page 85 is a favorite of mine.

Page 85 talks about the promises you will recieve from God once you have mastered the not drinking stage,it is beautiful and true. Many people from AA love the promises. Please find this online and read it. It will make your day. We have stopped fighting the urge to drink and stop fighting ourselves. We are at a moment of reprieve of this day. God is doing for us what we could not do. We are functioning in this world and doing quite good because we believe in a spirit that is bigger than us. He will follow you through the day if you ask God to.

Ask God to help you all day long, this is a selfish program and it is ok. God just wants to hear from you. Do not be too extravagant and expect miracles to take place, cause they will. Be careful what you ask for , you just might get it.

When starting out with sobriety, we need to understand that years of drinking is in our system and it may take some time to realize what God is and how he can help. By practice and prayer , you can overcome these feelings. With help that is from God.

Have a great day and remeber to pray every moment before you speak and hesitate what comes from your mouth. It could destroy you if you don't watch it. Be aware of your feelings, not expressing them could be good or bad. Ask Him for help in your daily living. God Bless.

Some Things to Think About

Life is too short for drama and petty things, laugh alot, love truly,and forgive quickly!

Sometimes in AA we get caught up in ourselves. I know I do this. I try not to. There are little sayings that you can remeber that will take you out of yourself. This is what I am focusing on today.

We are something special. That even though we lack the wisdom ourselves, with God we can have the wisdom needed to fulfill the tasks ahead.

Another great saying written by someone I don't know.

God came as one of his people, to show His people that with him, and through Him, we can do all things.
Today no matter how lowly you feel , or how much you lack,remember with God you are complete.

Go to AA tonight , even if its your first time, and share your self with another. You will feel better, that is a for sure thing. Get outside the realm of self, and you will have a better day. God Bless

Monday and "God Grant Me"

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change those things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference"

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Monday's are always hard on me, the start of a work week and the unknown? It;s why I use to drink on Sunday night, and call  in on a Monday morning. I don't do that now, I face the next day with G
od and we get through it. I can't help but be a bit nervous on some days . I work in the computer break/ fix dept. of my company and what may seem easy usually ends up a bit confusing.

I pray to God every night and morning and hit an AA meeting on Sunday night, it was a Step Study night. The step study is not really any different in AA than any other night. We talk about how we are doing spiritually and how progress has happened in our lives. No war stories about what we use to drink or smoke. We do reflect back on how it was when we were using or drinking and how much better life is now that God is in our lives taking control.

Is God taking control over your life today? Ask for him to guide you through the day and you will have a better day. Stay sober today only. Expect the best of today. Its a beautiful sunny day in Midland, Texas. I hope you and God make it a great day, and do not let anyone break your spirit.

Sober as Dr. Bob and Bill See It AA

As Dr. Bob and Bill See It,

ChristopherHyer2013oil painting

Good day and welcome to Sober, my blog for people that want to live without drinking alcohol or drugs. There are plenty of us in this world that want the relief of just drinking a little bit when the time arises. There is another group of us that cannot drink alcohol and stop. We are at the mercy of a truly baffling disease called Alcoholism. We are upstanding people and hold down many occupations. White collar and Blue Collar workers. Some of us are Doctors and Lawyers, and others are Airplane pilots and manufacturers or even retired.

Alcoholism affects the family and their loved ones. The only way to kill the disease is a spiritual foundation that one can believe in God. You must work the 12 steps aligned by the AA groups of Alcoholics Anonymous. Those who do this will and totally succeed from the craving and abstinence of drinking. This is proven. Unfortunate are those who do not follow the program outlined by AA will not ever quit, or if they do, will go back to alcohol, not because they want to, but because they have to.  

Meetings are a necessity, even if you think they are no suitable for you. I can’t explain why. You do not have to go every day, yet did you drink every day? If the answer is yes then attend a meeting every day and go to several different AA meetings. There are Big Book, Step studies and general discussion meetings. There are weekend outings with friends and families of alcoholics having fun without drinking alcohol. There is fun in these groups and watch out whom you hang around in these AA clubs. There are some people that are court appointed. This author suggest you treat them well, but beware that they have to be there, or they go to prison.

Yes, it is a challenge and your life will change. It will change for the better for not only you, but the people that truly love you. There are external problems; for example,  the wife may leave you for your drinking, or your kids will hate you because of how you acted when drinking. These can all be mended once you decide what we have to offer. A new employer may come about, bringing you back the materials you may have lost during your drinking period. There are quite a few of us that have lost everything and now have it back. It does not happen soon, it is a timely matter.

It’s Sunday June 2, 2013, a great day to stop drinking and start the new week out in an AA meeting tonight. It is only an hour usually, and you may know someone already there. Get a sponsor as soon as possible, and start working the steps. If you have questions ask them.

Do it for your self, Do it today! God Bless.

AA---Tonight and Sober

 My dog Cocoa 2013

I don't attend AA very often , in fact it has been three years since I last went. I took of tonight and headed to The Serenity Group in my home town. There was a crowd of about 12 people, sad to say most were from treatment centers in this town. They have to go, and I remeber being one of them, and not thinking about how long I would stay sober. Just to sit in an AA meeting and not be nervous was a blessing.

I highly recommend if you are like me, and sober for a while without going , that you go. It was good to talk and share a bit of knowledge that I have learned and how to keep my hands from being idle. There was no miraculous event that took place except that I saw a guy that I went to Church with when I was about 9 years old with 4 years sobriety. Small world it is. I felt like I belonged to this group and was not an outsider. It was a good meeting, about the Big Book.

Who knows I might find a Sponsor like they say to do , that and going to a few more meetings this year.lol  I really don't have much going between 8-9PM and I just decided it was time.

I hope your time is now , also. AA is good, there are positive results from going to a meeting. You realize your not as messed up as some of the others are. That being said , I already have been there, and it was good to see what could happen if I twist off. I learned a lot. Have a good day for Friday.

God Grant Me the Serenity To stay Sober Today

" God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change those things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference", What a prayer.

It covers you all day long if you think about it during your day today, say this prayer when things get tough out there. Stay sober just for today , you made it through the night, and now It is morning.

You may feel a bit edgy, but it is normal. Yes normal people feel edgy at times. To go out in this world not knowing, can be quite scary to us. We want to know what will happen during the day, some of us think negative . Pray to be positive, and loveing to one another. Just for today.

Have a great day and help someone else , just because you will.

Sober and the "God Prayer"

“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference!”

Photos by christopherhyer.com cpy2013

This prayer is for everyone, alcoholic or not, it covers a wide range of daily living. Is that not all we seek? What a prayer that can cover all angles of life and what one person can accomplish in this prayer.

There are things we have no control over. It could be your husbands drinking, or his Saturday nights out at the casino. You can tell someone you don’t like what they are doing with their lives, but you can’t tell them how to live.

God will undoubtedly give you what you don’t have. Whether it is money, clothes or friendship. If you pray, and sincerely need these items they will come if prayed and asked for it. Be careful what you ask for you might get it.

Have a fantastic time and tell yourself this will be an perfect time for you to help another human being. Pay it forward to another human being, and give of yourself to him or her. Have a blessed day!!