Just Finished My Fourth and Fifth Steps

[JenniferB]

What it came down to was guilt and shame. I couldn't let anyone into my life until I reached a level of perfection. So I isolated. This character flaw is something I won't be able to get rid of on my own. I need to accept the fact that I won't reach that level of perfection and let it go. I need to hand this off to my higher power and let him work with me on overcoming my shortcomings.My sponsor is going to help me with cleaning my place.

Jenny

[tracy_j]

We all strive for perfection as we individually perceive it but in practice there always comes a time, especially in relation with others, when we have to take the plunge!

In my case it is perhaps with my looks when I strive towards perfection. It will never happen and usually is not a problem. A missed opportunity is a missed opportunity but one that is taken is at least a learning experience!

Tracy x

[Charlize]

Dear Jennifer I am glad you are working on your steps. Too many of us do a two or three step program and while possibly sober loose the chance to grow in sobriety. I also felt i had to be perfect(often still do). One of the primary reasons for that as it relates to transition is the fear i would be read or that i wouldn't pass. I was worried about loosing social status, my family, my life. Fear, guilt and shame were my constant companions. Doing the steps helped me realize some of these hurdles and i actually started to see that honesty might be possible, at least with my sponsor. i'm still working to make progress with these defects of character but just making some progress brings a life beyond my wildest dreams.

Hugs,

Charlize

[Guest sweetcharlene41]

It took me a very long time to do the step's, maybe 10 years or more, I had been to AA before, but never took it seriously. Then one day I was at the end of my rope, and wanted to die, that's when I did the first step. I admitted I was an alcoholic, and I couldn't stop, I needed help and turned to my higher power GOD. I went to as many meeting as I could as I worked night's at the time. It took me about ten years or so to do the rest of the steps. I shared at meetings, went to rehab's and spoke, once went to a jail in south Jersey and spoke, I finally completed my 12 step and sponsored a guy, he eventually went back to drinking, he wasn't ready. I have been sobe NOT CURED for twenty five years, SO IT DOES WORK. GOD BLESS AA.

[VickySGV]

Hi Charlene, I'm Vicky and I am one of the Alcoholic Chat Mods who handle our Sunday evening AA/NA Chats over in the Chat area in addition to being a forum Mod, Our meeting time is 9 PM eastern time and we take on both the Trans* issues of being sober and just plain getting sober in the first place. If you can do it, please come on over and join us. There are usually about 6 of us there, and we have newer members coming up on their first chips of a year, so it is fun.

[Charlize]

Please do join us on Sunday if you can. Sometimes it is quiet and at others we seem to be awash in crisis. It has been a good venue for working with others in the trans community who are active or have some time. Chat takes a separate registration which is quite easy and once there just scroll to the substance abuse room.

Hugs,

Charlize