When we were first trying to achieve sobriety, many of us found ourselves taking a drink without planning to. Sometimes, it seemed to happen practically without our knowing it. There was no conscious decision to drink, and there was no real thought about possible consequences. We had not intended to set off an entire drinkingContinue reading “Making Use Of Telephone Therapy – Living Sober Chapter 10”
Author Archives: Bruce McPherson
Imagination Can Be Constructive – As Bill Sees It #157
We recall, a little ruefully, how much store we used to set by imagination as it tried to create reality out of bottles. Yes, we reveled in that sort of thinking, didn’t we? And, though sober nowadays, don’t we often try to do much the same thing? Perhaps our trouble was not that we usedContinue reading “Imagination Can Be Constructive – As Bill Sees It #157”
Facing Our Darker Side – The Language of Letting Go By Melody Beattie April 2nd
“Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.” – Step Four By the time we get to the Fourth of the Twelve Steps, we are ready to face our darker side, the side that prevents us from loving others, from letting others love us, and from enjoying life and ourselves. The purpose of StepContinue reading “Facing Our Darker Side – The Language of Letting Go By Melody Beattie April 2nd”
What Love Can We Transmit – Each Day A New Beginning March 29th Reflection
Love is an expression and assertion of self-esteem, a response to one’s own values in the person of another. —Ayn Rand The struggle to love one another may be a daily one for us, and it is made more difficult because we are still stumbling in our attempts at self-love. Many of us have livedContinue reading “What Love Can We Transmit – Each Day A New Beginning March 29th Reflection”
The Hole – Recovery Poem February 2006 By Bruce M.
I included this poem in the introduction to toxic shame. I hope it raises a consciousness of how shame may have influenced your life experience as well as pointing you to the many spiritual tools A.A. offers us. And perhaps it can serve as an encouragement to a devotion that feeds this internal yearning weContinue reading “The Hole – Recovery Poem February 2006 By Bruce M.”
Finding An Anchor Today – 24 Hours A Day Reflection March 23rd
Thought for the Day Strength comes from the fellowship you find when you come into A.A. Just being with men and women who have found the way out gives you a feeling of security. You listen to the speakers, you talk with other members, and you absorb the atmosphere of confidence and hope that youContinue reading “Finding An Anchor Today – 24 Hours A Day Reflection March 23rd”
Our Inner Beauty – Each Day A New Beginning March 22nd
Reared as we were in a youth and beauty oriented society, we measured ourselves by our ornamental value. —Janet Harris Rare is the person who doesn’t long for a svelte body, pretty teeth, a smooth complexion. Rare is the person who feels content, truly satisfied with their total person. We are often torn between wantingContinue reading “Our Inner Beauty – Each Day A New Beginning March 22nd”
The Peace Of Wild Things – Recovery Poem By Wendell Berry
I love this poem. It’s simplicity, honesty and hope. It’s about finding solace in nature to combat despair, anxiety, and fear for the future. It highlights the contrast between human overthinking and the instinctive, present-focused existence of wild creatures, encouraging a return to the natural world to find rest, grace, and freedom. It’s now included inContinue reading “The Peace Of Wild Things – Recovery Poem By Wendell Berry”
Drinking Dreams – Grapevine Article May 2024 By Jim J.
I have had a recurring dream throughout my 14 years of recovery. In the dream, drinking and AA are the central players. These dreams are emotionally vivid and memorable, more so than most other dreams. I’ve heard many fellow recovering alcoholics refer to them as “drinking dreams.” I wonder, though, whether these dreams are evidenceContinue reading “Drinking Dreams – Grapevine Article May 2024 By Jim J.”
Turning It Over and Acceptance – Buddhism And The Twelve Steps March 1st & 2nd Reflections By Kevin Griffin
March 1 “Turning it over” Step Three brings us into the heart of the program and gives us a new set of challenges. To begin, there is a question of what it means to “turn our lives over,” whether to God or anything else. What many people find when confronting this Step for the firstContinue reading “Turning It Over and Acceptance – Buddhism And The Twelve Steps March 1st & 2nd Reflections By Kevin Griffin”