Father Richard Rohr describes the necessity of attending to our emotions while not clinging to them. You may also find his reflection on how the Twelve Steps address our Stinking Thinking helpful. Emotions are necessary weathervanes, in great part body-based, that help us read situations quickly and perhaps in depth. But they are also learned andContinue reading “Emotional Equilibrium Welcoming But Not Clinging – Daily Meditation August 17th 2025 By Father Richard Rohr”
Category Archives: Guilt
Self Acceptance And The Twelve Steps
THE PROBLEM The lack of self-acceptance is a problem for many in recovery . This subtle defect is difficult to identify and often goes unrecognized. Many of us believed that our using was our only problem, denying the fact that our lives had become unmanageable. Even after we stop using, this denial can continue toContinue reading “Self Acceptance And The Twelve Steps”
Understanding Relapse By Addresssing Shame By Dr. Allen Berger
Relapse is a common characteristic of the chronic disease of addiction. You must address shame if you are going to get and stay sober. Even if you are unaware of feeling shame, it is likely to be an undercurrent in your life—a powerful, hidden undertow that can pull you under if you aren’t prepared forContinue reading “Understanding Relapse By Addresssing Shame By Dr. Allen Berger”
The Fellowship Of The Weak – Henri Nouwen Daily Meditation November 7th
Many of us have an experience of finding how the weakness of our alcoholism becomes a gateway to a profound belonging in the A.A. Fellowship. In this fellowship, we find fellow sufferers who are committed, one day at a time, to sobriety , healing and wholeness. We find that our weakness, which before had separatedContinue reading “The Fellowship Of The Weak – Henri Nouwen Daily Meditation November 7th”
The Ego And Shame; A Barrier To Humility – 12 Step Philosophy By Steve K.
In the book ‘For God’s Sake’ Alan Budge writes… “Recovery isn’t about stopping drinking (or stopping whatever). It’s about investigating the ways of the ego, and trying to change on the basis of that knowledge. It’s about surrender. For me, the whole spiritual deal is based on the idea that I’m not in charge, there is somethingContinue reading “The Ego And Shame; A Barrier To Humility – 12 Step Philosophy By Steve K.”
False Pride & Self Centered Fear – Experience The Big Book By Dr. Michael H.
Clancy I., in one of his talks, stated that false pride is a killer for alcoholics. He defined false pride as a compensation for feeling “less than”. That statement defined my life. From early childhood, I was constantly seeking approval through actions or achievements. Just being “Michael” wasn’t good enough. I never felt OK.Continue reading “False Pride & Self Centered Fear – Experience The Big Book By Dr. Michael H.”
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”
Differentiating Toxic Shame From Healthy Guilt – Brene Brown
Brene has spent the past two decades studying courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy. She’s the author of six #1 New York Times bestsellers and a research professor at the University of Houston, where she holds the Huffington Foundation Endowed Chair. She’s also got over 25 years of sobriety from her alcoholism. Here’s some further insights from theContinue reading “Differentiating Toxic Shame From Healthy Guilt – Brene Brown”
The Twelve Steps And Shame – Steps 1 -3 Booklet By Mic Hunter
What Is Shame? Shame is that burning in our faces when we think those around us have finally figured out how worthless we are. We think we’re inadequate or worthless. It’s when we hate to look anyone in the eye; when time seems to crawl and we wish we could disappear. It makes us feelContinue reading “The Twelve Steps And Shame – Steps 1 -3 Booklet By Mic Hunter”
Shame, Fear And The Problem With Faking It – Broken Open (Extract From Chapter 11)- By William Moyers
William Moyers wrote a bestselling book called Broken in 2006 which chronicled his journey in sobriety from alcohol and crack cocaine addiction. In 2014 after years of sober living, he found himself addicted to painkillers prescribed after dental surgery. He had made (and continues to make) his living as the Public Relations Director for theContinue reading “Shame, Fear And The Problem With Faking It – Broken Open (Extract From Chapter 11)- By William Moyers”