A sober decision leads to a career When I was five years sober, I was twenty-three years old and I had just been laid off from a seasonal job. I had a new wife, new child, and had put a college education on hold in order to take care of my family. I was learningContinue reading “Through The Darkest Days – Grapevine Article May 2005 By Roger W.”
Category Archives: Self Reliance
A New-Found Providence – As Bill Sees It #328
When dealing with a prospect of agnostic or atheistic bent, you had better use everyday language to describe spiritual principles. There is no use arousing any prejudice he may have against certain theological terms and conceptions, about which he may already be confused. Don’t raise such issues, no matter what your own convictions are. ‹‹Continue reading “A New-Found Providence – As Bill Sees It #328”
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.”
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.”
What Is Toxic Shame – Healing The Shame That Binds You By John Bradshaw
John Bradshaw was one of the most influential writers on emotional health in the twentieth century as selected by his fellow mental health professionals. He was also an alcoholic in recovery. His areas of expertise include addiction, co-dependency , trauma, emotional instability , and abuse. This extract is the preface to the original edition ofContinue reading “What Is Toxic Shame – Healing The Shame That Binds You By John Bradshaw”
Have You Experimented? – As Bill Sees It #247
Since open-mindedness and experimentation are supposed to be the indispensable attributes of our ‘scientific’ civilization, it seems strange that so many scientists are reluctant to try out personally the hypothesis that God came first and man afterward. They prefer to believe that man is the chance product of evolution; that God, the Creator, does notContinue reading “Have You Experimented? – As Bill Sees It #247”
Overcoming Suffering – Touchstone Reflection June 19th
Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it. –Helen Keller When a man looks at his life and at the lives of others, it is clear that pain is part of life. We cannot escape this tragic truth; our growth and our wholeness must include it becauseContinue reading “Overcoming Suffering – Touchstone Reflection June 19th”
The Key To Step 1 – Recovery 2.0 By Tommy Rosen
The 1st Step is the most important one of all, and for so many, this is where the internal struggle begins. Admitting one’s powerlessness is hard enough on the ego, but it also hits on a deep fear that most people hold: the fear of change. One senses that “the party is over.” By reallyContinue reading “The Key To Step 1 – Recovery 2.0 By Tommy Rosen”
The Ego & The AA – Grapevine Article February 2009 By Greg M.
Self-centeredness can be the most baffling of character defects The pain and misery and horrible loneliness I experienced prior to my first meeting, sixteen years ago, finally convinced me of the need to honestly look at my drinking. But that battle and every one since has been hard-fought. At times it seems to take aContinue reading “The Ego & The AA – Grapevine Article February 2009 By Greg M.”
Become Willing To Heal – Journey To The Heart March 16th
We don’t open our hearts by being a tower of strength. We don’t open our hearts by glossing over things in our head. We open our hearts by feeling what we feel. We open our hearts by being vulnerable, honest, and gentle. We’ve become so strong, so self-sufficient. I can deal with that we say.Continue reading “Become Willing To Heal – Journey To The Heart March 16th”