After failure on my part to dry up any drunks, Dr. Silkworth reminded me of Professor William James’s observation that truly transforming spiritual experiences are nearly always founded on calamity and collapse. “Stop preaching at them,” Dr. Silkworth said, “and give them the hard medical facts first. This may soften them up at depth soContinue reading “Let Go Absolutely – As Bill Sees It #242”
Category Archives: Change
Dealing With Regrets – Touchstone March 18th
Oh, that one could learn to learn in time! –Enrique Solari A mark of genuine change, after the pleasure of newfound growth, may be the regret one feels that we didn’t learn sooner. When we learn something new, we see how it could have made our life better at an earlier time. We regret beingContinue reading “Dealing With Regrets – Touchstone March 18th”
How Do I Turn My Irritations Into Pearls Today – June 12th Today’s Gift
The more a diamond is cut, the more it sparkles.—Anonymous There is something of value to be found even in the worst of things. Consider the oyster. When a grain of sand penetrates an oyster’s shell, it irritates the oyster, making it uncomfortable. The oyster relieves the pain by coating the sand with a soothingContinue reading “How Do I Turn My Irritations Into Pearls Today – June 12th Today’s Gift”
From Denial To Acceptance – Language Of Letting Go February 22nd
Many of us lived in situations where it wasn’t okay to identify, have, or talk about problems. Denial became a way of life and our way of dealing with problems. In recovery, many of us still fear problems. We may spend more time reacting to a problem than we do solving it. We miss theContinue reading “From Denial To Acceptance – Language Of Letting Go February 22nd”
To Take Responsibility – As Bill Sees It #145
Learning how to live in the greatest peace, partnership , and brotherhood with all men and women, of whatever description, is a moving and fascinating adventure. But every AA has found that he can make little headway in this new adventure of living until he first backtracks and really makes an accurate and unsparing surveyContinue reading “To Take Responsibility – As Bill Sees It #145”
A Renewable And Resilient Purpose – Touchstone Reflection February 19th
He who has a why to live can bear with almost any how. –Friedrich Nietzsche Our sense of purpose in life is not fixed in concrete. It changes from youth through all the stages of life. Often in the transitions to a new growth stage we are most confused. In the chaotic life created byContinue reading “A Renewable And Resilient Purpose – Touchstone Reflection February 19th”
Humility 7th Step – Twelve & Twelve Pages 70 thru 76
The attainment of greater humility is the foundation principle of each of A.A.’ s Twelve Steps. …Without some degree of humility, no alcoholic can stay sober at all. Nearly all A.A.’ s have found, too, that unless they develop much more of this precious quality than may be required just for sobriety, they still haven’tContinue reading “Humility 7th Step – Twelve & Twelve Pages 70 thru 76”
Getting Beyond The Dry Drunk Syndrome – Stage II Recovery By Earnie Larson
The Dry-Drunk Syndrome As hateful as this label is to so many people, it names a real condition that occurs when a person breaks a primary addiction (gets sober) but doesn’t deal with the underlying living problems. “Dry drunks” can afflict people who have broken a primary addiction (Stage I) but have not gotten furtherContinue reading “Getting Beyond The Dry Drunk Syndrome – Stage II Recovery By Earnie Larson”
A Plan Of Action – Grapevine Article September 1980 By D.J.
. . .Only after the action was past did we truly appreciate what had happened THE WORDS may differ, but a moment like this occurs in most AA stories: “I had reached the end of my rope, I remember, I said out loud, ‘God help me!’” Such a statement stirs warmth in the hearts ofContinue reading “A Plan Of Action – Grapevine Article September 1980 By D.J.”
Letting Go Of Hope – Grapevine Article By Mira C.
When hope was replaced by faith, the program really began to work for her Today, I am a grateful recovering alcoholic. I am grateful for reaching what I could only describe as a state of hopelessness and desperation. Craving to fill the void in me, I used to hold onto anything and everything that helpedContinue reading “Letting Go Of Hope – Grapevine Article By Mira C.”