Fear, Faith And The AA Perspective – 12 Step Philosophy Blog By Steve K.

I find this article quite helpful and complimentary to some key topics explored in the gugogs.org website such as emotional sobriety, toxic shame, and healing our jekyll/hyde divided self. I’d like to offer a few specific articles as complimentary resources/background to this excellent article by Steve K. Healthy Fear & Unhealthy Self Centered Fear SelfContinue reading “Fear, Faith And The AA Perspective – 12 Step Philosophy Blog By Steve K.”

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”

Between Stimulus And Response – Extract From Chapter 22 of Strong Ground By Brené Brown

“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and freedom.” – Victor Frankl I experienced one of the most disorienting experiences in my life when I got sober in 1995. I use the word disorienting because time slowed toContinue reading “Between Stimulus And Response – Extract From Chapter 22 of Strong Ground By Brené Brown”

Remedy for a Lonely Holiday – Grapevine Article December 2025 By Chuck H.

With his wife away and daughter in the hospital, this newcomer’s Christmas was looking bleak. AA to the rescue. I’ve always wondered if our emotions and feelings are closer to the surface during the Christmas season than other times of the year. Is this because I’m reminded of the hope and joy that Christmas represents?Continue reading “Remedy for a Lonely Holiday – Grapevine Article December 2025 By Chuck H.”

A Suggestion for Thanksgiving – Grapevine Article November 1949 By Bill W.

I found this article timely and compelling as we read and study Tradition 11 today in our Thursday Twelve & Twelve meeting. I’ve added bold highlights to a few paragraphs that resonate for me from this article Bill W published in the November 1949 Grapevine over 75 years ago. We should note that this articleContinue reading “A Suggestion for Thanksgiving – Grapevine Article November 1949 By Bill W.”

Applying The St Francis Prayer To Our Inside Job Of Reconciliation & Healing By Allen Berger

As many of you know, Allen Berger is a leader in Emotional Sobriety. His book 12 Essential Insights For Emotional Sobriety is featured prominently in the Emotional Sobriety section of the gugogs.org website. He is a Gestalt therapist with over 50 years of sobriety. Very recently Dr. Berger gave a very powerful talk about how to apply the St.Continue reading “Applying The St Francis Prayer To Our Inside Job Of Reconciliation & Healing By Allen Berger”

Walking Through The Pain – Just For Today November 17th

17 November It hurts like never before. You get out of bed after a sleepless night, talk to God, and still don’t feel any better. “It will pass,” a little voice tells you. “When?” you wonder, as you pace and mutter and get on with your day.  You sob in your car and turn theContinue reading “Walking Through The Pain – Just For Today November 17th”

Make Use Of Mistakes, Failures, Losses And Sufferings – August 22nd Twenty-Four Hours a Day

A.A. Thought For The Day “Those who do not recover are people who are constitutionally incapable of being honest with themselves. There are such unfortunates. They are not at fault. They seem to have been born that way. They are naturally incapable of grasping and developing a manner of living which demands rigorous honesty.  TheirContinue reading “Make Use Of Mistakes, Failures, Losses And Sufferings – August 22nd Twenty-Four Hours a Day”

Living With Hope – Recovery Poem By Henri Nouwen

This short poem has been added to the Recovery Poem section of the website. I think this poem captures the relationship between the hope of Step 2 and the faith of Step 3 … and perhaps how all of these spiritual principles point us back to a humility where we find true independence of theContinue reading “Living With Hope – Recovery Poem By Henri Nouwen”

Faith – A Blueprint – And Work – As Bill Sees It #284

The idea of ‘twenty-four-hour living’ applies primarily to the emotional life of the individual. Emotionally speaking, we must not live in yesterday, nor in tomorrow. But I have never been able to see that this means the individual, the group, or A.A. as a whole should give no thought whatever to how to function tomorrowContinue reading “Faith – A Blueprint – And Work – As Bill Sees It #284”