This article is a good compliment to the ‘Power of Pause’ we discussed in our 2nd session of the February 2026 Emotional Sobriety Series. This important way of ‘moving toward’ with curiosity what we used to ‘move away’ from with judgment … When something difficult arises — irritation, fear, shame — try pausing and practicingContinue reading “Curiosity: Where the Inner Journey Begins – Friendly Circle Berlin March 2026”
Category Archives: Frustration
No Orders Issued – As Bill Sees It # 237
Neither the A.A. General Service Conference, its Board of Trustees, nor the humblest group committee can issue a single directive to an A.A. member and make it stick, let alone mete out any punishment. We’ve tried this lots of times, but utter failure is always the result. Groups have sometimes tried to expel members, butContinue reading “No Orders Issued – As Bill Sees It # 237”
Control – Buddhism and the Twelve Steps February 16th Reflection By Kevin G
Addiction is essentially a strategy to control how we feel. We want to be happy or high or just not in pain all the time, so we keep drinking, smoking, popping, eating, gambling, or otherwise finding ways to alter our consciousness to feel the way we want. This habit of control carries over into otherContinue reading “Control – Buddhism and the Twelve Steps February 16th Reflection By Kevin G”
Finding Our Way Home As We Accept Our Brokenness – Richard Rohr’s Daily Meditation February 11th 2026
The mythical wisdom of the ancients reminds us of the sense of wonder at the beginning of time when all was innocence, nothing yet wounded. The garden was tended by the woman and the man. They lived in harmony with each other and with creation. And every day they walked with God in the coolContinue reading “Finding Our Way Home As We Accept Our Brokenness – Richard Rohr’s Daily Meditation February 11th 2026”
Group And World-Wide Community – As Bill Sees It #9
The moment Twelfth Step work forms a group, a discovery is made—that most individuals cannot recover unless there is a group. Realization dawns on each member that he is but a small part of a great whole; that no personal sacrifice is too great for preservation of the Fellowship. He learns that the clamor ofContinue reading “Group And World-Wide Community – As Bill Sees It #9”
Powerlessness; We Learn By Doing It Wrong March 23rd 2023 Daily Meditation By Richard Rohr
Father Richard describes the futility of trying to “fix” ourselves: The genius of Twelve Step programs is that they situate powerlessness and surrender right where they belong—at the beginning. They teach how sin or addiction are overcome not through willpower or by control, but much more by recognizing that we are powerless to overcome them. ForContinue reading “Powerlessness; We Learn By Doing It Wrong March 23rd 2023 Daily Meditation By Richard Rohr”
Imaginary Perfection – As Bill Sees It #181
When we early A.A.’s got our first glimmer of how spiritually prideful we could be, we coined this expression: “Don’t try to be a saint by Thursday!” That oldtime admonition may look like another of those handy alibis that can excuse us from trying for our best. Yet a closer view reveals just the contrary.Continue reading “Imaginary Perfection – As Bill Sees It #181”
Give Thanks – As Bill Sees It #266
Though I still find it difficult to accept today’s pain and anxiety with any great degree of serenity—as those more advanced in the spiritual life seem able to do—I can give thanks for present pain nevertheless. I find the willingness to do this by contemplating the lessons learned from past suffering—lessons which have led toContinue reading “Give Thanks – As Bill Sees It #266”
Expectations – Just For Today Reflection July 29th
“As we realize our need to be forgiven, we tend to be more forgiving.” Basic Text, p. 39 ❖ Our behavior toward other people in our life is a mirror of our behavior toward ourselves. When we demand perfection of ourselves, we come to demand it from others around us, too. As we strive toContinue reading “Expectations – Just For Today Reflection July 29th”
Acceptance Not Blaming Others Or Condemning Ourselves – Touchstone Reflection July 2nd
Fair play is primarily not blaming others for anything that is wrong with us.—Eric Hoffer As adults, we accept responsibility for our feelings and our circumstances. We haven’t chosen our own troubles, but we have the job of dealing with them. If a person falls and breaks a leg, he might say to someone, “It’sContinue reading “Acceptance Not Blaming Others Or Condemning Ourselves – Touchstone Reflection July 2nd”