We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, as we understood [God], praying only for the knowledge of [God’s] will for us and the power to carry that out. The word prayer, which Bill Wilson rightly juxtaposes with the word meditation, is a code word for an entirely different way of processingContinue reading “Step 11: The Contemplative Mind – Daily Meditation December 3rd 2015 By Richard Rohr”
Category Archives: Self Restraint
Practicing Convey Not Convince – Reminders For Effective Conversations By Thom R.
In the 4th step of the Twelve & Twelve on page 53, we are presented with this assertion: “The primary fact that we fail to recognize is our total inability to form a true partnership with another human being. Our egomania digs two disastrous pitfalls. Either we insist upon dominating the people we know, orContinue reading “Practicing Convey Not Convince – Reminders For Effective Conversations By Thom R.”
Revolutionary! How Step 10 Suggests A Novel Response Ability When We’re Disturbed – Twelve & Twelve Pages 90, 91 By Bruce M.
*To explore this topic more thoroughly, click on the links to other articles. Also remember, it is never too early or too late to practice Step 10 much like Step 11. For many of us, it feels almost involuntary that when we are disturbed we ‘blame and complain’. And often this blaming and complaining leadsContinue reading “Revolutionary! How Step 10 Suggests A Novel Response Ability When We’re Disturbed – Twelve & Twelve Pages 90, 91 By Bruce M.”
Bless My Enemies – Recovery Poem/Prayers By Saint Nikolai Velimirovich
As we attempt to practice the willingness of Step 8 , we are confronted with this dilemma and challenge: “If we are now about to ask forgiveness for ourselves, why shouldn’t we start out by forgiving them, one and all?” – Twelve & Twelve p.78 I find this poem/prayer to be extremely helpful in openingContinue reading “Bless My Enemies – Recovery Poem/Prayers By Saint Nikolai Velimirovich”
Living With Hope – Reflection By Henri Nouwen With An Anonymous Mediation
I think this reflection and the meditation that follows captures how powerful the principle of hope can be when we’re facing life’s PUH’s …the pain,uncertainty and hard work that Phil Stutz describes in this article. I love the distinctions Henri makes between optimism and hope … which, to me, is very consistent with the realityContinue reading “Living With Hope – Reflection By Henri Nouwen With An Anonymous Mediation”
Fear Of Success – Touchstone Reflection June 28th
We fear our highest possibility (as well as our lowest one). We are generally afraid to become that which we can glimpse in our most perfect moments.—Abraham Maslow In our daily lives, we may dream of success and achievement. We strive and compete in the workplace. We go to meetings and do our part onContinue reading “Fear Of Success – Touchstone Reflection June 28th”
Think, Think, Think! Grapevine Article August 2023 By Jim C.
The sign was upside-down—but so was his thinking! I was 21 when I went to my first AA meeting. I enjoyed it. I felt I was home and with my people and for once in the right place. At that first meeting I met a friend and former drinking buddy named “Big Dan.” He cameContinue reading “Think, Think, Think! Grapevine Article August 2023 By Jim C.”
Growth – Grapevine Article June 1976 By Tricia J.
A NEW THOUGHT has been forming in my mind (now that the AA program has put it in working order). I believe that an element most important in building our sober lives is what is left out. Several months ago, my husband and I enrolled in a beginners’ art course. We didn’t become great painters,Continue reading “Growth – Grapevine Article June 1976 By Tricia J.”
Humility 7th Step – Twelve & Twelve Pages 70 thru 76
The attainment of greater humility is the foundation principle of each of A.A.’ s Twelve Steps. …Without some degree of humility, no alcoholic can stay sober at all. Nearly all A.A.’ s have found, too, that unless they develop much more of this precious quality than may be required just for sobriety, they still haven’tContinue reading “Humility 7th Step – Twelve & Twelve Pages 70 thru 76”
As Good As It Gets – Grapevine Article June 2023 By Greg S.
Today, I set out to do one of the things that gives me a great deal of satisfaction—taking care of life’s day-to-day tasks. In the old days, fun had to be a wild, drunken adventure. Nowadays, I find enjoyment in simple everyday jobs that feature a quiet sort of fun and a sense of accomplishment. Continue reading “As Good As It Gets – Grapevine Article June 2023 By Greg S.”