Life Changing

[JenniferB]

I can attest that AA works. I always isolated myself, preferring to spend time on the computer over doing anything else. Now I see that in this frame of mind, I was very self centered. I wanted to do what I wanted and didn't want to be bothered. I did not like having visitors, especially uninvited. And the best phone was a silent one. I still had empathy for others, but this type of life didn't allow a means to be able to help. Eventually I didn't have any close friends, nor did I really want any. I can now see I drank beer, not just because I liked the feeling, but it would temporarily take me away from the stress of life. I didn't care about living life then, and started letting life's problems pile up. I came to hate myself. I could forgive others and feel empathy, but not for me.

Enter Alcoholics Anonymous. Nobody there cared at all that I was trans from day one. That surprised me. I think it's because all of us are fighting for our own lives, each having stories as sad as mine. We are there for healing, true spiritual healing. How can we judge others when our own lives were a shambles? AA is a place we learn to accept our past and not run away from it, learn how to live in the present and to break the bondage of self by learning how to give service to others. Because of this we can see changed lives, and hope for a brighter future.

I already am developing some close friendships. One is starting to grow strong. We talk for long periods of time. I helped here with house chores yesterday. She is always there when I need someone to talk to. A second friendship is getting there. I have a gay friend, who is a professional hair stylist who offered to teach me how better to take care of my hair, and how to apply makeup (he worked in theater at one time). I'm having coffee with another AA member later this week. I play tennis a couple times a week with other members. When I go to meetings there are a number of women I enjoy sitting with. So many relationships are growing. In less than three months I've gone from total isolation to having the most friends I've had in my life.

I still have a ways to go. But now I care about my life and am working on making it better with spiritual help. For the first time in my life I believe things will get better. And every day my faith grows stronger as I put in the effort (something I was incapable of doing 3 months ago).

{{{Hugs}}}

Jenny

[Michelle 2010]

That's quite a testimonial ya got goin' there gurlfrien' ....

Shhhh.... don't let the cat out of the bag!

Don'cha know that AA doesn't work?... or is for religious zealots?...... or fussy old men? or losers? We wouldn't want people to get the wrong idea now... Would we..... Yeah...... you was just brainwashed... thats it.... gotta be... nuthin' could change a person's life after a lifetime of deadending it.... nope! just a bunch of propaganda!!!

People gotta be crazy to believe that stuff..... much better to continue trudging......

Michelle

[Charlize]

You are a miracle. Thank you for sharing.

Hugs,

Charlie