The woman was old, perhaps ninety. She had the frailness we sometimes see in the elderly, but her life force was strong, vital. She sat in the cafe eating breakfast with a younger woman. “You’ve been through a lot,” the younger woman said. “It must be hard since your husband died. How are you doing?”Continue reading “See The Divine All Around You – Journey To The Heart May 2nd Reflection By Melody Beattie”
Category Archives: Simplicity
God Will Not Desert Us – As Bill Sees It #221
Word comes to me that you are making a magnificent stand in adversity—this adversity being the state of your health. It gives me a chance to express my gratitude for your recovery in A.A. and especially for the demonstration of its principles you are now so inspiringly giving to us all. You will be gladContinue reading “God Will Not Desert Us – As Bill Sees It #221”
Practicing Open-Mindedness and Goodwill – A Spiritual Principle A Day April 17th
Before we found recovery, we served our own selfish desires almost exclusively. We used kindness and generosity as tools to manipulate, nothing more. The idea of serving others didn’t even enter our thoughts when we were out there hustling. After we’re clean for a bit, we learn to take actions that open us up toContinue reading “Practicing Open-Mindedness and Goodwill – A Spiritual Principle A Day April 17th”
Listening In Recovery – 12 Step Philosophy By Galen T.
Many of us are familiar with the events that brought AA’s two founders together for the first time. On May 11th of 1935 Bill found himself pacing back and forth in the lobby of the Mayflower Hotel in Akron, OH. At one end of the lobby was a bar and at the other a public phone.Continue reading “Listening In Recovery – 12 Step Philosophy By Galen T.”
Living In The Now – Each Day A New Beginning April 5th
I came to the conclusion then that “continual mindfulness” …must mean, not a sergeant-major-like drilling of thoughts, but a continual readiness to look and readiness to accept whatever came. —Joanna Field Resistance to the events, the situations, the many people who come into our lives, blocks the growth we are offered every day. Every momentContinue reading “Living In The Now – Each Day A New Beginning April 5th”
Making Use Of Telephone Therapy – Living Sober Chapter 10
When we were first trying to achieve sobriety, many of us found ourselves taking a drink without planning to. Sometimes, it seemed to happen practically without our knowing it. There was no conscious decision to drink, and there was no real thought about possible consequences. We had not intended to set off an entire drinkingContinue reading “Making Use Of Telephone Therapy – Living Sober Chapter 10”
Imagination Can Be Constructive – As Bill Sees It #157
We recall, a little ruefully, how much store we used to set by imagination as it tried to create reality out of bottles. Yes, we reveled in that sort of thinking, didn’t we? And, though sober nowadays, don’t we often try to do much the same thing? Perhaps our trouble was not that we usedContinue reading “Imagination Can Be Constructive – As Bill Sees It #157”
The Peace Of Wild Things – Recovery Poem By Wendell Berry
I love this poem. It’s simplicity, honesty and hope. It’s about finding solace in nature to combat despair, anxiety, and fear for the future. It highlights the contrast between human overthinking and the instinctive, present-focused existence of wild creatures, encouraging a return to the natural world to find rest, grace, and freedom. It’s now included inContinue reading “The Peace Of Wild Things – Recovery Poem By Wendell Berry”
Turning It Over and Acceptance – Buddhism And The Twelve Steps March 1st & 2nd Reflections By Kevin Griffin
March 1 “Turning it over” Step Three brings us into the heart of the program and gives us a new set of challenges. To begin, there is a question of what it means to “turn our lives over,” whether to God or anything else. What many people find when confronting this Step for the firstContinue reading “Turning It Over and Acceptance – Buddhism And The Twelve Steps March 1st & 2nd Reflections By Kevin Griffin”
Material And Spiritual Well Being – A.A. Daily Reflection March 21st
Fear . . . of economic insecurity will leave us. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 84 Having fear reduced or eliminated and having economic circumstances improve, are two different things. When I was new in A.A., I had those two ideas confused. I thought fear would leave me only when I started making money. However, another lineContinue reading “Material And Spiritual Well Being – A.A. Daily Reflection March 21st”