It is getting to be nearly that time and so I thought that I might
mention a few thoughts to some of our friends who are new enough to sobriety
that this may be their first sober New Year's celebration.
While it may be true that we only do it one day at a time, it is also
true that even that approach works better with a bit of forethought.
For instance, it's a bad idea to let the New Year celebration time be
totally open and unplanned. For alkies, empty time has a way of filling
itself with temptation and that is especially the case when it is time that:
1) you are used to celebrating by drinking and 2) most people are still
doing so.
If you can, it is great to spend the evening with family or friends who
are glad that you are no longer drinking and who will do their best not to
tempt you and even to help you avoid temptation.
If that isn't possible, whatever might be your normal views on
meetings, in most areas one or more groups have New Year's parties where you
can go and celebrate the time with people who aren't drinking. It may not
be the hottest time you've ever had, but if you are there you won't be
drinking.
Failing that, go to a movie or to church or something that occupies
your time and your mind and leads you not into temptation.
Please just think about doing a little planning to succeed.
All my best to all of you for this day and the coming year.
Dan

Great tips. I'll be going to a meeting on Friday evening. Then it'll be
straight back home to relax and watch a DVD or do a bit of browsing. These
days, I'm so thankful for SKY TV and the Internet. It makes staying in a lot
more bearable, lol.

--
J



Dan McGown wrote:
> It is getting to be nearly that time and so I thought that I might
> mention a few thoughts to some of our friends who are new enough to
> sobriety
> that this may be their first sober New Year's celebration.

> While it may be true that we only do it one day at a time, it is also
> true that even that approach works better with a bit of forethought.
> For instance, it's a bad idea to let the New Year celebration time be
> totally open and unplanned. For alkies, empty time has a way of filling
> itself with temptation.....

RIGHT! What they did down in Naples, FL, where I sobered up, was to hold
all-night meetings. Every hour a new volunteer would take over. It gave
nervous new AA's a good place to spend new year's eve.

nat

we do that here in wisconsin too nat...................christmas
eve, christmas day, new years eve, and new years day!
GREAT place to do some service!

happy new year nat!






"Nat" <n515hoop@centurytel.net> wrote in message
news:6JmdnYtF_eCrfEjcRVn-vQ@centurytel.net...
: > While it may be true that we only do it one day at a time,
it is also
: > true that even that approach works better with a bit of
forethought.
: > For instance, it's a bad idea to let the New Year
celebration time be
: > totally open and unplanned. For alkies, empty time has a way of
filling
: > itself with temptation.....
:
: RIGHT! What they did down in Naples, FL, where I sobered up, was
to hold
: all-night meetings. Every hour a new volunteer would take over. It
gave
: nervous new AA's a good place to spend new year's eve.
:
: nat
:
: