Group Conscience

[cosican]

Hello All
Nico suggested I become a member of this group, so I hope you will all accept me
Perhaps, if you were to read my post on the general posts of
the first' Friends of Bill W,' I would not have to re type my part of my story, Not that i am lazy, just it would be easier, not to go back in time and attempt to remember those days. You know how drugs can cook you a bit, I think thats how I first listed my post in the wrong place. Oh well, now many will read and understand, why I am so xxxxx up

[sendit2mybb]

Drew here....Alcoholic and a lover of my Personal Vaporizer!! (no, I didn't say "Vapoholic"....I'll leave that to Nicotine Anonymous to decide...ha!)

After some thought, it occurred to me that maybe I was taking this sub-forum thing too seriously (and let's face it...our Sponsors at one point in our recovery has all told us that we as individuals are not all that important anyway ).

I think that we should leave this as an "open" sub- forum; allowing others to view our comments, our opinions, share our thoughts, strength, hopes, and all the good things in our lives that we have been granted through the gift of recovery and the program. If someone outside of the program is so inclined to read our comments..then so be it; although, they should respect our comments, as we respect their comments or inquiries (heaven knows...there may just be one person who really benefits from such and it may help them).

If someone is inclined to bring up a topic that they really desire to touch upon (that is recovery related); should have the freedom to do so and not feel like they are jeopardizing their anonymity and privacy. This is about respecting one another and also sharing common experiences in our lives. Just be aware that your comments can be viewed by anyone who chooses to do so (if you feel like your anonymity is going to be jeopardized; then maybe you should re-consider posting or changing your public profile to respect your privacy). Also, this is a public forum and if it is that serious or important anyway...then most likely the issue should be taken to the respective rooms of either AA, NA, Al-Anon(or any other 12-step meetings) or Sponsors. This is not a place to take anyone's inventory!! (not that I think we would do that anyway)

Let's face it...this is a public forum for people to trade tricks/ tips/ reviews of personal vaporizer devices (aka e-cigs) and it just so happens that we also share in recovery. Long story short...we are just a "sub-forum" of the E-cigaretteforum.com and have to remember that e-cig related issues are what this forum is primarily about.

OK..enough from me..just my thoughts and I'll go along with what anyone else decides.

PS- I just got some new liquid from James at the "SmokeSafe" and it is the bomb!! Thanks all and look forward to chatting with everyone here!

[sendit2mybb]

Originally Posted by deewal

First let me thank you nicowolf for taking the lead and becoming Moderator of this Sub-Forum.
I'm David and i'm a Real Alcoholic. I've been sober since August 5th 1998. That was the date of my first Meeting with The Fellowship.
Second i think sendit2mybb has made some very good observations and i agree with what he said. I need to think about it as well although not for myself.
I don't care who knows i'm an Alcoholic but i must admit i had forgotten about the "Stigma" issue which probably is just the same as it always was.
We know that the only person who can understand an Alcoholic is another Alcoholic but ordinary "citizens" just don't understand.
We can be a very "touchy" lot. lol
I still read my "eye opener" when i wake and i still read my Big Book everyday as although I have no desire for Alcohol i know too well from experience that my disease is still waiting for me should i listen to people who say "Over 10 years sober? Oh well your better now ar'nt you"
I was born an Alcoholic and i will die an Alcoholic.
Thank My Higher Power for teaching me that. The Big Book was written but described me 10 years before i was born.
Now i've just realised that anyone who is not an Alcoholic on these forums who may be able to read this, is not going to understand anything that i have just written.
It will Definitely need some thought.
For anyone who is new to The Fellowship i would say "Keep going to meetings and Take those 12 Steps."
Oh yes and i have been called a "step nazi"

Welcome Deewal! My Sponsor would love you! He is truly a "Step Nazi" and I love it! Keep on the path...you're comments are always welcome here!

[sendit2mybb]

Originally Posted by cosican

Hello All
Nico suggested I become a member of this group, so I hope you will all accept me
Perhaps, if you were to read my post on the general posts of
the first' Friends of Bill W,' I would not have to re type my part of my story, Not that i am lazy, just it would be easier, not to go back in time and attempt to remember those days. You know how drugs can cook you a bit, I think thats how I first listed my post in the wrong place. Oh well, now many will read and understand, why I am so xxxxx up

I understand! You're not alone! It's all good here!

Cosicon,
Thanks so much for your honesty! I'm glad to see that you felt so comfortable posting here. Everyone does have their own story; although, the threads of our lives in addiction are all very similar. I can only speak for myself; but, even when I wasn't using drugs or alcohol and was technically "sober"...I was just as f***ing crazy as when I was using drugs and alcohol to "numb" my current existence. For me..the alcohol and drugs were my "spiritual release" and a solution for my life when I was active in my addiction and when I got into the rooms; I needed the program of AA as a new solution to my life (I found that Chapter 2 of the Big Book helped me when I was in the same place as you are now). Just food for thought.. Welcome!!

[scmedasst]

Hi Friends of Bill W!! I used to be an enabler, of a now friend of Bill W. Be proud of every sober day you have!!

[sendit2mybb]

Originally Posted by scmedasst

Hi Friends of Bill W!! I used to be an enabler, of a now friend of Bill W. Be proud of every sober day you have!!

Hey scmedasst,
Thanks for your encouraging words! We (even though I should not speak for the group as a whole) as recovered ("ing") alcoholics/ addicts destroyed many lives in our addictive behaviors and have been fortunate enough to mend some of those relationships with people that we hurt in our destructive paths and make "right" again. I for one, had loved ones in my life that I believe I held "hostage" in relationships through my addiction and can't tell you how wonderful those new kindled relationships have become in recovery.

Just remember, your relationship to us is the most important because it reminds us of those that we hurt and helps keep many of us sober to this day. Just wanted to post this as encouragement to your spiritual growth as well! Thanks again!

PS- I've got to stop using these stupid "Smileys" on my posts...they're getting annoying to me also!

[lordmage]

if we go invite only maybe a second unbiased mod (some one who is a mod already for example)has back up should be made to control it by proxy that way are group is protected

[nicowolf]

Originally Posted by lordmage

if we go invite only maybe a second unbiased mod (some one who is a mod already for example)has back up should be made to control it by proxy that way are group is protected

Could you give a little more detail? I am not sure what this means or how it works.

I can already see where being a member and a mod could get hairy. I am unsure of how someone could mod by proxy, and handle the invites, but not be in the group.

[deewal]

Originally Posted by nicowolf

Could you give a little more detail? I am not sure what this means or how it works.

I agree with you. I'm not sure either.

[secondson2929]

I think, basically, it just means that there is someone else who can give approval for someone to join the group. We aren't going to deny anyone access anyway. There is no need to show "credentials" to get into a 12 step meeting. We're really just asking them to take the first step toward being here.

Originally Posted by nicowolf

Could you give a little more detail? I am not sure what this means or how it works.

I can already see where being a member and a mod could get hairy. I am unsure of how someone could mod by proxy, and handle the invites, but not be in the group.