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”
Category Archives: Distortion
Freedom To Choose – Just For Today Reflection October 20th
In our active addiction, many of us lived our lives by default. We were unwilling or unable to make choices about how we wanted to act, what we preferred to do, or even where we would live. We allowed our addiction and other people to make our most basic decisions for us. Freedom from activeContinue reading “Freedom To Choose – Just For Today Reflection October 20th”
Amends Without Expectations – Just For Today October 6th
06 October The Eighth Step asks us to become willing to make amends to all persons we have harmed. As we approach this step, we may wonder what the outcome of our amends will be. Will we be forgiven? Relieved of any lingering guilt? Or will we be tarred and feathered by the persons we’veContinue reading “Amends Without Expectations – Just For Today October 6th”
The Gift Of Awareness – By Bonnie Weiss
The capacity of awareness is foundational in personal growth work—it’s the lens through which all meaningful change becomes possible. You can’t change what you can’t see. High-quality awareness—clear, non-judgmental noticing of your thoughts, feelings, patterns, and behaviors—creates space between stimulus and response. That space is where true choice lives. Much of our suffering comes fromContinue reading “The Gift Of Awareness – By Bonnie Weiss”
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”
Humility Is Living In Reality – A Spiritual Principle A Day September 9th
In early recovery, we often find ourselves going from unrealistic, grandiose self-perception to believing we are the worst person in history. It’s that familiar addict pendulum swing–from one extreme to the other (with an optional sound effect): I’m a spiritual giant deserving of high praise–WHOOSH!–I’m a worthless piece of trash. I’m the hottest person here–WHOOSH!–I’mContinue reading “Humility Is Living In Reality – A Spiritual Principle A Day September 9th”
Telling The Worst – As Bill Sees It #311
Though the variations were many, my main theme was always “How godawful I am!” Just as I often exaggerated my modest attainments by pride, so I exaggerated my defects through guilt. I would race about, confessing all (and a great deal more) to whoever would listen. Believe it or not, I took this widespread exposureContinue reading “Telling The Worst – As Bill Sees It #311”
Those Other People – As Bill Sees It #268
Just like you, I have often thought myself the victim of what other people say and do. Yet every time I confessed the sins of such people, especially those whose sins did not correspond exactly with my own, I found that I only increased the total damage. My own resentment, my self-pity would often renderContinue reading “Those Other People – As Bill Sees It #268”
Are These Bad Times Or Good Times? – Zen Farmer Story About Equanimity & Easy Does It
Zen Farmer Story When we stop trying to coerce life to go exactly the way we want, we naturally experience a greater sense of fluidity and ease no matter what happens. Just like the Zen farmer. There once was an old Zen farmer. Every day, the farmer used his horse to help work his fieldsContinue reading “Are These Bad Times Or Good Times? – Zen Farmer Story About Equanimity & Easy Does It”
Tough Love – Grapevine Article April 2022 By Pat K.
A member shares her thoughts about applauding when people come back from multiple relapses I recently attended the memorial for a woman who I had sponsored on and off for about eight years. Although she went to meetings pretty regularly over that time, when she died she was not sober. As I listened to theContinue reading “Tough Love – Grapevine Article April 2022 By Pat K.”