I found the article below very helpful in understanding why ‘How It Works’ (BB p.58) describes rigorous honesty as a recovery demand in this way: “Those who do not recover are people who cannot or will not completely give themselves to this simple program, usually men and women who are constitutionally incapable of being honestContinue reading “The Light Of Rigorous Honesty Overcomes The Darkness Of Victimhood”
Category Archives: Demand
Perfectionism – Seeing & Responding With Emotional Sobriety Video By Allen Berger
Below is an excellent 30 minute video that explores how perfectionism amplifies self hatred. The video also explores how we can learn to respond differently to the ‘should monster’ of our idealized false self we’ve created to be loved, accepted and have a sense of belonging. And, in this new response, we learn how toContinue reading “Perfectionism – Seeing & Responding With Emotional Sobriety Video By Allen Berger”
Owning Our Power – The Language Of Letting Go January 19th By Melody Beattie
There is one feeling we need to pay particular attention to in recovery: feeling victimized. We do not need to become comfortable with that feeling. How do we feel when we’ve been victimized? Helpless. Rageful. Powerless. Frustrated. Feeling victimized is dangerous. Often, it can prompt us into addictive or other compulsive behaviors. In recovery, we’reContinue reading “Owning Our Power – The Language Of Letting Go January 19th By Melody Beattie”
What a Sponsor Is and Is Not – Grapevine Article December 2004 By Hilary T.
The opportunity to help another alcoholic work the Steps and live in the solution keeps me in the heart of what recovery is all about. It has helped me to feel a “part of”–something I had tried to do for years. But it turned out to be as simple as sharing my experience, strength, andContinue reading “What a Sponsor Is and Is Not – Grapevine Article December 2004 By Hilary T.”
Fear, Faith And The AA Perspective – 12 Step Philosophy Blog By Steve K.
I find this article quite helpful and complimentary to some key topics explored in the gugogs.org website such as emotional sobriety, toxic shame, and healing our jekyll/hyde divided self. I’d like to offer a few specific articles as complimentary resources/background to this excellent article by Steve K. Healthy Fear & Unhealthy Self Centered Fear SelfContinue reading “Fear, Faith And The AA Perspective – 12 Step Philosophy Blog By Steve K.”
Applying The St Francis Prayer To Our Inside Job Of Reconciliation & Healing By Allen Berger
As many of you know, Allen 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. Very recently Dr. Berger gave a very powerful talk about how to apply the St.Continue reading “Applying The St Francis Prayer To Our Inside Job Of Reconciliation & Healing By Allen Berger”
Frank Buchman and Alcoholics Anonymous – An Apology That Inspired A Million Amends By Jay Stinnett
When we read in the Big Book that “resentment is the number one offender. It destroys more alcoholics than anything else” (BB p.64) ; we may not have a real perspective on how fundamental the amends process has been to AA’s success in enabling us to stay sober one day at a time. You mightContinue reading “Frank Buchman and Alcoholics Anonymous – An Apology That Inspired A Million Amends By Jay Stinnett”
Living With Hope – Recovery Poem By Henri Nouwen
This short poem has been added to the Recovery Poem section of the website. I think this poem captures the relationship between the hope of Step 2 and the faith of Step 3 … and perhaps how all of these spiritual principles point us back to a humility where we find true independence of theContinue reading “Living With Hope – Recovery Poem By Henri Nouwen”
Victory In Defeat – As Bill Sees It #135
Convinced I never could belong, and vowing I’d never settle for any second-rate status, I felt I simply had to dominate in everything I chose to do: work or play. As this attractive formula for the good life began to succeed, according to my then specifications of success, I became deliriously happy. But when anContinue reading “Victory In Defeat – As Bill Sees It #135”
Emotional Sobriety In Relationships – Recovery Today March 2015 By Allen Berger
In the Twelve & Twelve, we are presented with this possibility that we are not clear on how to practice partnering with others. On page 53, we read: “But it is from our twisted relations with family, friends, and society at large that many of us have suffered the most. We have been especially stupidContinue reading “Emotional Sobriety In Relationships – Recovery Today March 2015 By Allen Berger”