If you go to p.107 of the Twelve & Twelve, Bill W makes this provocative claim: “Life is not be endured or mastered” Although he doesn’t attempt to answer the question of what life is; I’ve found the words “more fully participated in” an answer that seems consistent with what the NOW of life unceasinglyContinue reading “Gratitude & More Fully Participating In Our Lives – Atlas Of The Heart – Brené Brown”
Category Archives: Gratitude
What Are The Principles We’re Supposed To Practice? – Practice These Principles By Ray A.
I found this article very helpful in exploring this question of what are the principles that the 12th step suggests we need to practice in all our affairs. There are many versions of different answers to this question that you can find with a google search. For me , I found Ray A’s approach moreContinue reading “What Are The Principles We’re Supposed To Practice? – Practice These Principles By Ray A.”
Finding Humility As We Lose Self-Hate – Touchstones Reflection November 10th
Humility is just as much the opposite of self-abasement as it is of self-exaltation. –Dag Hammarskjold In our struggles with self-hate and guilt, we may have thought we were humble – or perhaps even too humble. But self-abasement, which often alternates with feelings of superiority, is not the spiritual quality of humility that we striveContinue reading “Finding Humility As We Lose Self-Hate – Touchstones Reflection November 10th”
Working Incognito – Grapevine Article April 1994 By Susan G.
When people learn that they are suffering from an incurable, progressive disease, they are said to follow a pattern of denial, anger, fear, and acceptance. I know that’s what happened to me. Following a court-ordered drug and alcohol evaluation, I was diagnosed as having severe alcoholism requiring in-patient treatment. I went through the evaluation reportContinue reading “Working Incognito – Grapevine Article April 1994 By Susan G.”
Win Or Lose – Grapevine Article August 2001 By Jim M.
As a hard-charging marketer, I used to focus only on winning. I worshiped people like football coach Vince Lombardi, revering him as the patron saint of conquest. So any time one of my victories was less than complete–or, God forbid, I actually lost–my sense of failure was absolute. And this always made me a sittingContinue reading “Win Or Lose – Grapevine Article August 2001 By Jim M.”
The Art Of Listening – Grapevine Article November 2024 By R.G.
Thanks to a good sponsor he stayed and kept an open mind. It was now his turn to give back I’m having a good time being sober. It wasn’t always like that. In early sobriety, I read a passage in the story Doctor Paul wrote in the back of our Big Book, but I didn’tContinue reading “The Art Of Listening – Grapevine Article November 2024 By R.G.”
Live Your Wounds & Befriend Your Pain – Henri Nouwen Daily Meditation October 9th, 10th
I love these two short daily meditations from Henri Nouwen. I see so much of what drives my addiction as an unhealthy response and relationship to pain. I have been a pain killer and am now learning, with the help of a Higher Power and my A.A. community, to be a pain healer. That transformingContinue reading “Live Your Wounds & Befriend Your Pain – Henri Nouwen Daily Meditation October 9th, 10th”
Perception – Any Way You Slice It – Grapevine Article January 2024 By Claire S.
When I was about 6 years old, I distinctly remember placing my sandwich order with my mom and specifically asking for the jelly to be on the bottom and peanut butter on the top. While I closely supervised her preparation, I was horrified to see she hadn’t followed my directions, not even a little, andContinue reading “Perception – Any Way You Slice It – Grapevine Article January 2024 By Claire S.”
Let Go Of Who You Think You’re Supposed To Be And Embrace Who You Are – Brene Brown
This article uses extracts from the first and last chapter of Brene Brown’s book ‘The Gift of Imperfection’. Her focus on worthiness is very consistent with how we move from toxic shame to healthy guilt. We’ll begin with a quote I love from Brene that I think helps put this short article in perspective. –Continue reading “Let Go Of Who You Think You’re Supposed To Be And Embrace Who You Are – Brene Brown”
The “Felt Sense” Prayer – Author Unknown
This prayer/poem describes the many ways in which we attempt to avoid all sorts of physical and emotional pain. It also highlights how recognizing our pain and accepting it can increase self-knowledge and improve self-care. It further suggests how our response ability and relationship with pain has impacted our addiction, our recovery, and our livesContinue reading “The “Felt Sense” Prayer – Author Unknown”