For most folks, the new year is a new beginning, a fresh start...

   I really never thought of it as that because traditionally my family celebrated their New year on their birthdays.  We would have fireworks (mines in July so these are readily available) food, the whole deal.  

Everything is different now.  I am sober and whether I have consciously changed things or God has gently guided things in a another direction, things are empirically different. 

I begin this holiday as a new year.  A new me and a new step.  I begin the year with great trepidation,  step 4.  It is a wasteland I am not looking forward to. I will not falter because God has been so amazing, so loving and so strong, my faith leaves me breathless.  

So I am wondering dear friends.  You, whom are the victorious, the overcomer, the struggler, the ever seeking, how will you start your New Year?  What step will you take? 

How will you start your New Year?  What step will you take?  Wow, what a challenge since I don’t usually make resolutions.  I guess because each day is a new day for me and looking at long term is hard.

I have those resolutions it seems “everyone” makes; I don’t want to complain as much, I want to help others with this terrible disease of alcoholism.  I want to be all I can be for my daughter and continue my career as a good teacher. I want to become more spiritually connected to my Higher Power. 

2 years 8 months sober, I’m still getting to know myself, getting to like myself more so I would like to continue in finding my way in this big world. I want to be all God wants me to be and fulfill my destiny that God has planned for me. I want to move forward into the favor and Blessing that God has ordered for me; as HE has done the same for everyone. 

Maybe I should take time to do more for me as I’m always doing for others. I’m always on the go, so maybe rest some more. 

May God Bless Each and everyone here on this site. Happy New Year!   Tina

Even with 18 yrs clean, I still do what I did early on I hang out with people in recovery---I'm going over to a friends house for a get together with other recovering addicts.  Always keep myself safe, never know when the disease will sneak up on you.  After that I'm coming home and going to bed :-)  I don't typically stay up past midnight (getting a bit older) unless I'm at an NA function and then I still usually leave early---don't want to be on the roads. I do a lot of reflection over the past year---by working a 10th step regularly, I don't have much to regret.  I don't make resolutions---can never keep them, but I do make a gratitude list each year and complare to the previous one.

Hope eveyone has a safe New Year!

wow a whole year. just the thought of that has my head spinning.theres so much i would like to accomplish. and its great to have goals, but , i myself have to be careful not to place stipulatons on those goals. sometimes i set to high expectations on myself. i'm human i may not fill those expectations. so in this area i try to follow the words on pg. 420 in the big book.

"I never just sit and do nothing while waiting for him to tell me what to do. rather i do what is in front of me to be done, and i leave the results up to him; however it turns out, thats GODs will for me"

so this year i'll do the same as last. if he opens a door for me, i will pray for the strength to walk through it. and trust that thats what he would have me do. so i'll have my goals , pray for God to open the doors and be wiilling to walk through them. its great being the co-pilot on this thing called life, huh.

love ya biggs

     Can't anyone around here ask easy questions - like what kind of cookies do I prefer?

     Back in the bad old days it was easy - I was going to drink less and do more. Usually ended up drinking more and doing less... Go figure.

     If I was to make a resolution (not saying I am making one, so don't hold me to it), it would be "to be better". A better husband, father, grandgather, son, brother, friend, coworker, confidant, group member, sponsor, sponsee - and the list goes on endlessly.

    There are probably dozens of other things I could put down to do, but since they don't have to be done (like buy that new Ferrari) to maintain this way of life I have chosen, I would probably break them anyway. So why bother? 

     I guess that a good resolution to make is not to make any resolutions you cannot keep (there may be a circular reference in this).

     I will enter the new year in reflection and communing with God regarding my sixth and seventh steps.

In this next year I have just one goal................. to continue on this new path I have found and go where it may.  What I do and how I handle situations along this path is up to me. I am still learning about myself.  I hope I never stop learning. I can say the words "I like me".  Last time I said that I was a teenager.

I ask God daily to help me find the strength for each day, for whatever may pop into this path I am on, help me to find the strength to get through it and learn and grow and not be defeated.  This is what has built up my self esteem, making it possible for me to say those 3 words and mean them.

I am glad this year is over.  I look forward to what life is gonna bring.  HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!

I will start my new year thinking about me, just me and what I can do for me !!!  Then ALL of YOU !!  I think that is taking the right step, Mostly I will hold my head up, and be proud of my accomplishments !  I am in my second year without cancer,  I am getting closer with my older sister.  And that is the best from 07' !!  When I would go to a mtg.  I always came out with something just for me (so I thought).  I know I won't understand everything,  and I know the ugly of 07' has followed into the New Year 08'  but resolving issues means it is close to the end of ugly,  It makes since to me.   I don't know any quotes,  But I will be asking for help from God I have to let him take the my steps for me, guide me and I know he is here with me always,  those are his footsteps in the sand from carrying me when I need him there.   I do miss going to mtg's but I will get there one day.  I am really going to work on; working on me.  I stood in front of the mirror and asked myself the most simple question;  "when was the last time I laughed?"  I am listening to everyone's advise, it has been awesome from the first day I loged into this site.  I luv u all,  thank you, I know I am tired of crying.  I was taught to not hide our emotions and I have been for a couple of years.  My fear of my cancer,  my caring for everyone else because they were afraid of my cancer.   Fearing my husband (when he was my husband).  Always trying to make everyone happy,  telling everyone around me I was o.k.  when I was loosing my hair.  It was long and beautiful.   So it is "ALL ABOUT ME"   finding out what makes me happy!  I don't know what does but I am going to find out!!   Of  course  I am bringing Violet with me !!!!  

Everyone  have the BEST NEW YEAR EVER,  PLEASE BE SAFE !!!  LUV U ALL 

I will take mine "One Step At A Time"...

Happy New Year To All...

Peace & Love, Bob

Step 4 is vital if we want to remain sober. At least for me. I trulu believe that my new years does start the day i was born thats when GOD bless my parents with a miracle on the way, which will be next month. Thats when I take the oppurtunity to reflect back on the year. The steps I will take is to continue to do my amends with the people I hurt or hurt me.

  My New Year brings with it my 14th year in recovery so my plan is to live life on lifes terms and carry out my God's will as he sees fit for me.

            &nb sp;      Peace