Jacque has chosen a mashup of articles that explore how we often replace our dependency on alcohol with another unhealthy dependency. These articles show us how we can work Step 1 and the rest of the steps on these additional unhealthy dependencies which may be revealed. In the Twelve and Twelve, Bill W outlines healthyContinue reading “Peeling Back The Layers Of The Onion”
Category Archives: inventory
One Man’s Deep Dive Into The Principles Of Each Step By Herb K.
PRINCIPLES: Foundational TRUTHS: core VALUES which regulate moral behavior; guidelines and guardrails:
We Cannot Live Alone – As Bill Sees It #83
All of A.A.’ s Twelve Steps ask us to go contrary to our natural desires; they all deflate our egos. When it comes to ego deflation, few Steps are harder to take than the Fifth. Scarcely any Step is more necessary to long-time sobriety and peace of mind. A.A. experience has taught us we cannotContinue reading “We Cannot Live Alone – As Bill Sees It #83”
4th Step Inventory – Phase 1 – Flaws & Assets Evaluation By Bruce M.
Let’s begin the 4th step inventory process with a focus on the big picture before we get down into the many details this process suggests. This is consistent with the instructions in the Big Book to ‘first, we searched out the flaws in our make-up which caused us failure’ (BB p.64). AA Big Book pagesContinue reading “4th Step Inventory – Phase 1 – Flaws & Assets Evaluation By Bruce M.”
When Conflict Mounts – As Bill Sees It #289
Sometimes I would be forced to look at situations where I was doing badly. Right away, the search for excuses would become frantic. “These,” I would exclaim, “are really a good man’s faults.” When that pet gadget broke apart, I would think, “Well, if those people would only treat me right, I wouldn’t have toContinue reading “When Conflict Mounts – As Bill Sees It #289”
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.”
Toxic Shame, Character Defects & Out Of Proportion Reactions
A few weeks ago, we read the short reflection entitled ‘The Trance Of Unworthiness’. That reading is a poignant reminder of how many of us lose proportion and consciousness when we’re triggered and believe we’re under attack by this toxic shame and painful experience of our unworthiness. We seem to shut down and enter intoContinue reading “Toxic Shame, Character Defects & Out Of Proportion Reactions”
Who Do You Think You Are? – Grapevine Article July 1962 By L.C.
Through practicing the Steps we learn that our ego-image is not fixed or static I WILL never forget Karl. A buddy of mine, Mac, and I had received a call through a physician friend of AA. We were put on the trail of this character who, we were told, wanted to sign himself into aContinue reading “Who Do You Think You Are? – Grapevine Article July 1962 By L.C.”
Cluttered Spirits – Just For Today Reflection September 4th
As long as we still owe amends, our spirits are cluttered with things we don’t need. We’re carrying the extra load of an apology owed, a resentment held, or unexpressed remorse. It’s like having a messy house. We could leave so we don’t have to see the mess, or maybe just step over the pilesContinue reading “Cluttered Spirits – Just For Today Reflection September 4th”
Heal Your Resentments – Journey To The Heart Melody Beattie August 22nd
How fast resentments creep in during the course of an ordinary year. How much faster they can creep in during intense times, times of change, times of evolution—the kind of times we’ve been experiencing on our journey. Things shift. Things change. We let go of the old and stumble toward the new. And resentments cropContinue reading “Heal Your Resentments – Journey To The Heart Melody Beattie August 22nd”