One Thanksgiving Day after her Fifth Step, she began to see her mother in a brand-new way It was almost Thanksgiving, and I had five months of sobriety. I was still working on my Fourth Step, and my mother headed the list of people who I resented—big time. In meetings I would often share aboutContinue reading “Peeling & Healing – Grapevine Article November 2026 By April S.”
Category Archives: Distortion
Honesty and Self-Awareness – A Spiritual Principle A Day September 25th
Looking back , it’s easy to see how our outlook on life morphed to accommodate and justify our choices. Self-delusion had become second nature. It takes effort and practice to embrace honesty instead. Even before, there were clues that honesty might have helped to counter our distorted thinking. At some point, many of us experiencedContinue reading “Honesty and Self-Awareness – A Spiritual Principle A Day September 25th”
The Paradox Of Self Compassion September 2026 By Dr. Kristin Neff
There’s a paradox at the heart of self-compassion. Although the word “self” is right there in the name, self-compassion actually represents a movement away from the perspective of self. In fact, it should probably be spelled “self→compassion.” This movement is reflected in the way I define and measure self-compassion. The Self-Compassion Scale has six subscales, whichContinue reading “The Paradox Of Self Compassion September 2026 By Dr. Kristin Neff”
The Full Serenity Prayer (Long Version) – Sober Speak August 2022 By Shannon M
There’s something profound about those 3 AM moments when sleep won’t come and your mind races with regret, fear, or that familiar restlessness. Maybe you’re three days clean, or three years, or somewhere in between. In those moments, when the weight of “what if” and “if only” threatens to pull you under, you need somethingContinue reading “The Full Serenity Prayer (Long Version) – Sober Speak August 2022 By Shannon M”
Surrendering Shortcomings – A Spiritual Principle A Day August 14th
The Steps are in order for a reason; each one prepares us for the next. We acknowledge that our way hasn’t worked when we surrender to Step One. Some members boil it down to a single acknowledgment: I need something different. This admission opens the door for us to recognize our need for restoration in Step TwoContinue reading “Surrendering Shortcomings – A Spiritual Principle A Day August 14th”
Step 4 From Awareness To Admission – Chapter 3 Of ‘The Prep Steps: Setting Up Action In A.A.’ By Rick W.
Click to read more from Rick W and see articles about Step 1 and Step 2 . I find Rick’s short articles about what he calls the preparation steps from his excellent book ‘The Prep Steps:Setting Up Action In A.A. full of insights and extremely helpful – Bruce M. Step 4: The Preparation for StepContinue reading “Step 4 From Awareness To Admission – Chapter 3 Of ‘The Prep Steps: Setting Up Action In A.A.’ By Rick W.”
Membership Rules? – As Bill Sees It #41
Around 1943 or 1944, the Central Office asked the groups to list their membership rules and send them in. After they arrived we set them all down. A little reflection upon these many rules brought us to an astonishing conclusion. If all of these edicts had been in force everywhere at once it would haveContinue reading “Membership Rules? – As Bill Sees It #41”
On Joy And Sorrow – Recovery Poem From “The Prophet” by Kahlil Gibran
One of the many gifts I’ve received from sobriety is recognizing the distortion of my all or nothing thinking. So much of what is revealed as true for me is beyond what I can express rationally … one is too many and a thousand not enough … we keep it by giving it away. ThereContinue reading “On Joy And Sorrow – Recovery Poem From “The Prophet” by Kahlil Gibran”
Expectations: The Hidden Contracts We Never Signed – Take The 12 Blog June 2026 By Rick W.
One of the more interesting writing assignments I’ve ever suggested to a sponsee had nothing to do with Step Four, amends lists, or character defects. It was simply this: Write about your expectations. At first glance, that may not seem like a particularly “A.A.” topic. Expectations don’t appear in the Twelve Steps. The Big Book doesn’tContinue reading “Expectations: The Hidden Contracts We Never Signed – Take The 12 Blog June 2026 By Rick W.”
When We Stop Negotiating With Reality – Take The 12 Blog May 2026 By Rick W.
Step One, Acceptance, and the Freedom Found in Surrender One of the most exhausting things an alcoholic ever does is negotiate with reality. We negotiate with consequences. We negotiate with truth. We negotiate with our own patterns, our own pain, our own powerlessness. We say things like: And perhaps the most dangerous negotiation of all: “IContinue reading “When We Stop Negotiating With Reality – Take The 12 Blog May 2026 By Rick W.”