This article focuses us on the pragmatic idea that we must be willing to accept our pain to begin to heal as we move from a life of being a pain killer to become a pain healer. Experience avoidance and denial do not work. What we resist persists. The truth can set us free butContinue reading “What We Resist Persists; Acceptance And Willingness – Get Out Of Your Mind & Into Your Life (Chapter4) By Stephen Hayes”
Category Archives: Change
Serenity Circle – Grapevine Article August 1986 By S.F.
I am an alcoholic. I live on an Indian reservation. My home sits perched on a desert mountain overlooking the largest hydroelectric power plant in the world, and I remember wishing Grand Coulee Dam could be filled with Canadian whiskey. Boy, then we could party! I was forty when “Frank” and I found each other.Continue reading “Serenity Circle – Grapevine Article August 1986 By S.F.”
Emotional Sobriety, Humility, and Radical Response Ability – Video By Dr. Allen Berger
As many of you know, Dr. Berger is a leader in Emotional Sobriety. His book 12 Essential Insights For Emotional Sobriety is featured prominently in the Emotional Sobriety section of the gugogs.org website. He is a Gestalt therapist with over 50 years of sobriety. I found this video very helpful in setting a firm foundationContinue reading “Emotional Sobriety, Humility, and Radical Response Ability – Video By Dr. Allen Berger”
Don’t Let Yesterday Take Up Too Much Of Today – Coach John Wooden With A Poem By Vivian Laramore
A short reflection of how the hall of fame basketball coach John Wooden used a poem in his ‘Make Every Day Your Masterpiece’ philosophy. – Bruce M. DON’T LET YESTERDAY TAKE UP TOO MUCH OF TODAY This maxim represents the foundation of Coach Wooden’s approach as a teacher. He often reminded his players of this withContinue reading “Don’t Let Yesterday Take Up Too Much Of Today – Coach John Wooden With A Poem By Vivian Laramore”
Growing Up Emotionally – 12 Smart Things To Do When The Booze And Drugs Are Gone By Dr. Allen Berger
Emotional sobriety doesn’t spontaneously appear. We have to work hard at growing up. Bill did. In addition to the time he spent working the Steps, getting spiritual direction from the Reverend Sam Shoemaker, spending time alone in contemplation, and working with others, he also sought out psychotherapy. His therapist was the famous Dr. Harry Tiebout,Continue reading “Growing Up Emotionally – 12 Smart Things To Do When The Booze And Drugs Are Gone By Dr. Allen Berger”
Self Acceptance And The Twelve Steps
THE PROBLEM The lack of self-acceptance is a problem for many in recovery . This subtle defect is difficult to identify and often goes unrecognized. Many of us believed that our using was our only problem, denying the fact that our lives had become unmanageable. Even after we stop using, this denial can continue toContinue reading “Self Acceptance And The Twelve Steps”
What Is Happiness – Grapevine Article January 2017 By Edwin B.
A son’s question on an autumn day reminds a sober dad just how far he’s come This fall, I was raking the lawn and my 22-year-old son, Nico, was bagging leaves for me. At one point, he asked me, “Does raking make you happy?” My initial thought was, Just stuff the leaves in the freakingContinue reading “What Is Happiness – Grapevine Article January 2017 By Edwin B.”
Review The Day – As Bill Sees It #89
When we retire at night, we constructively review our day. Were we resentful, selfish, dishonest, or afraid? Do we owe an apology? Have we kept something to ourselves which should be discussed with another person at once? Were we kind and loving toward all? What could we have done better? Were we thinking of ourselvesContinue reading “Review The Day – As Bill Sees It #89”
Holding Our Stories Lightly – The Wisdom To Know The Difference By Kelly Wilson
I love the Mark Twain quote “It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so.”. This article can be very helpful in developing humility which is described as the “foundation principles of each of AA’s Twelve Steps”(12&12p.70) – Bruce M. Here’s a conceptContinue reading “Holding Our Stories Lightly – The Wisdom To Know The Difference By Kelly Wilson”
The Goal Of Willingness – Get Out Of Your Mind And Into Your Life (Extract Chapter 9) By Stephen Hayes
The goal of willingness is flexibility. When you are able to be fully present in the here and now without being judgmental or without pushing away experiences (thoughts, feelings, emotions, bodily sensations, and so on) you have much more freedom to take needed steps to action. If you are willing to have an emotion, feeling,Continue reading “The Goal Of Willingness – Get Out Of Your Mind And Into Your Life (Extract Chapter 9) By Stephen Hayes”