Henri Nouwen is thought of as one of the greatest spiritual teachers and authors of the 20th century. I found this short extract from his book ‘Finding Our Way Home In An Age Of Anxiety’ to be relevant to the Toxic Shame and Emotional Sobriety sections of our website. I also believe the 3rd step and 7thContinue reading “You Are Accepted – Finding Our Way Home In An Age Of Anxiety June 2nd Daily Meditation By Henri Nouwen”
Author Archives: Bruce McPherson
Thy Will, Not Mine – Grapevine Article October 1978 By C.C.
Her father’s death taught her the true meaning of acceptance FOUR WORDS have kept coming into my mind ever since I lost my father, a few short days ago. “Shall we dance, Daddy?” That’s what I often used to say to my alcoholic father to get him to bed. I couldn’t carry him, and heContinue reading “Thy Will, Not Mine – Grapevine Article October 1978 By C.C.”
Look Before You Leap – As Bill Sees It #253
Wise men and women rightly give a top rating to the virtue of prudence. They know that without this all important attribute little wisdom is to be had. Mere ‘looking before we leap’ is not enough. If our looking is charged with fear, suspicion, or anger, we had better not have looked or acted atContinue reading “Look Before You Leap – As Bill Sees It #253”
Finding What Lies Beyond Dissatisfaction – Each Day A New Beginning May 31st
That reality of life and living—movement from one place to another either in a project or in a state of mind, does not conform with what we imagine or expect or think we deserve so we often leave things hanging unfinished or unstarted. —Sandra Edwards Being dissatisfied—discontented with the experiences life gives us—forever hampers ourContinue reading “Finding What Lies Beyond Dissatisfaction – Each Day A New Beginning May 31st”
It Began with Acceptance of Me – Grapevine Article January 1972 By G.C.
And he went on to discover that there are many kinds of acceptance in AA WE OFTEN HEAR the word “accept” around AA, and generally it is used with the word “admit”: “It was easy to admit I was powerless over alcohol, but it took me a long time to accept it.” That kind ofContinue reading “It Began with Acceptance of Me – Grapevine Article January 1972 By G.C.”
What Is Perfectionism And Why Does It Correlate To Alcoholism
This article below continues our examination of perfectionism along with the distortion of “all or nothing” thinking. A definition of perfectionism from Dr. Allen Berger hits home for me: “Perfectionism is not doing things perfectly; it is expecting ourselves to do things perfectly. It is the relentless drive toward an unrealistic, inhuman, and unattainable goal.Continue reading “What Is Perfectionism And Why Does It Correlate To Alcoholism”
Emotional Maturity Wallet Card By Anonymous
This article is based on an ‘Emotional Maturity Card’ published by an Alcoholics Anonymous group from Akron, Ohio. Its author chose to remain anonymous. Since some say this card reflects the ‘real maturity and balance’ that Bill W. suggests in his classic article ‘The Next Frontier- Emotional Sobriety’, I’ve also added it to the EmotionalContinue reading “Emotional Maturity Wallet Card By Anonymous”
Awakening From the Trance of Unworthiness By Tara Brach July 2014
I have added this article to the sections of gugogs.org on Toxic Shame and Healing our Jekyll/Hyde Divided Self. You may also find the article from Tara entitled ‘The Trance of Unworthiness’ and her video ‘Self Acceptance – Waking Up From The Trance Of Unworthiness’ relevant and useful to help us move from ‘pain killers to pain healers’ –Continue reading “Awakening From the Trance of Unworthiness By Tara Brach July 2014”
Showing Up With Integrity – A Spiritual Principle A Day May 27th
“Integrity is the state of being fully integrated: Our actions, our thinking, our feelings, our ideals, and our values all match up.” Living Clean, Chapter 3, “Spirituality Is Practical” Most of us think of having integrity as being honest and reliable, as keeping our word. While that’s certainly true, integrity has a deeper and moreContinue reading “Showing Up With Integrity – A Spiritual Principle A Day May 27th”
Self Acceptance And The Perils Of Perfectionism By Rita Milios
This article below continues our exploration of perfectionism along with the distortion of “all or nothing” thinking. Here are some additonal GUGOGS resources you may find helpful: Breaking The Bonds Of Perfectionism Origins of ‘Progress Not Perfection’ & The Dangers of Absolutes & Perfectionism Powerlessness; We Learn By Doing It Wrong What Anxiety & RigorousContinue reading “Self Acceptance And The Perils Of Perfectionism By Rita Milios”