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”

Releasing Obsessions – The Language Of Letting Go October 4th By Melody Beattie

I encountered my first obsession when I was eleven years old. I’d been sent to church by my mother on this Sunday morning and was trudging down a large hill as I began the ten-block walk when a girl I didn’t know, who seemed to be about my age, stopped me. “This will help,” sheContinue reading “Releasing Obsessions – The Language Of Letting Go October 4th By Melody Beattie”

Cold Land Warm Hearts – Grapevine Article December 2023 By Keith J.

How would they find alcoholics to help in a small, remote Arctic town? One guy had a terrific solution Moving north to a remote community is something I never thought we would do. We heard depressing stories about the cold, dark winters and leaving everything and everyone behind, but God had an assignment for meContinue reading “Cold Land Warm Hearts – Grapevine Article December 2023 By Keith J.”

Keeping The Gift – Just For Today September 22nd

“Life takes on a new meaning when we open ourselves to this gift.”  Basic Text, p. 107 ❖ Neglecting our recovery is like neglecting any other gift we’ve been given. Suppose someone gave you a new car. Would you let it sit in the driveway until the tires rotted? Would you just drive it, ignoringContinue reading “Keeping The Gift – Just For Today September 22nd”

I Stand At The Door – Recovery Poem By Sam Shoemaker (Who Bill W Describes As A Co-Founder of AA)

In our monthly speaker meeting, Rachel M. read this powerful poem written by Sam Shoemaker who Bill W describes as an AA co-founder. You may also find Sam’s Grapevine article entitled ‘“The Spiritual Angle of AA” worthwhile. Sam Shoemaker(1893-1963) was an Episcopal priest who was instrumental in the Oxford Group and founding principles of AlcoholicsContinue reading “I Stand At The Door – Recovery Poem By Sam Shoemaker (Who Bill W Describes As A Co-Founder of AA)”

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”

For A New Beginning – Recovery Poem By John O’Donohue

For me , this short poem is full of hope about the limitless expansion (BB p.275) of this new ‘design for living’(BB p.25) the program offers us. Bill W describes it this way in the Twelve £ Twelve (p.15) “A.A.’s Twelve Steps are a group of principles, spiritual in their nature, which, if practiced asContinue reading “For A New Beginning – Recovery Poem By John O’Donohue”

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”

Forgiveness & Resenting The Painful Side Of Life – Forgive For Good Recovery Workbook By Fred Luskin

I believe the movement from being a pain killer to becoming a pain healer is at the heart of recovery. This article helps us understand the crucial role forgiveness can play in this healing movement. It’s extracted from a recently published workbook specifically designed for integrating forgiveness with the Twelve Steps. The author, Dr. FredContinue reading “Forgiveness & Resenting The Painful Side Of Life – Forgive For Good Recovery Workbook By Fred Luskin”

Don’t Drink, and Change the Rest of Your Life – Grapevine Article December 1995 By Anonymous

STEP 12: Having bad a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs. “There are only two things you have to do to stay sober,” the old-timer with the gravel voice told me. “Don’t drink one day atContinue reading “Don’t Drink, and Change the Rest of Your Life – Grapevine Article December 1995 By Anonymous”