Great Temptation Of Self Rejection – Discernment By Henri Nouwen

Henri Nouwen is thought of as one of the greatest spiritual teachers and authors of the 20th century. I found this short extract from his book entitled ‘Discernment’ to have a great deal of relevance to the Toxic Shame section of our website. One of my favorite books of his so relevant to what happensContinue reading “Great Temptation Of Self Rejection – Discernment By Henri Nouwen”

The Grateful Flow & Part X – Lessons For Living By Phil Stutz

I love Phil Stutz. His insights about getting us out of our comfort zone, facing our PUH … our pain, uncertainty and hard work … about the necessity of crossing PUH to find endless new possibilities and potential … the process he describes as a ‘reversal of desire’ moving from comfort and moving toward theContinue reading “The Grateful Flow & Part X – Lessons For Living By Phil Stutz”

Can Healing Begin By Accepting Our Contradictions – Litanies Of The Heart By Gerry Crete

As you may know , our website has a section entitled ‘Healing Our Jekyll/Hyde Divided Self. This extract from a book ‘Litanies of the Heart’ further supports the idea of accepting the existence of many parts within us … what is called multiplicity. How often have you heard yourself or others say ‘a part ofContinue reading “Can Healing Begin By Accepting Our Contradictions – Litanies Of The Heart By Gerry Crete”

Surviving and Thriving – Grapevine Article By Jennifer T.

A horrific accident ultimately leads her to the rooms and recovery Alcohol has always been a part of my story. I grew up in a home with an alcoholic father. I started sipping alcohol as a toddler.  My story is not unusual. At some point growing up, I went from a confident, outgoing young girlContinue reading “Surviving and Thriving – Grapevine Article By Jennifer T.”

AA Principles & Purpose Are Portable – A Spiritual Principle A Day December 12th

“Being able to focus on a primary purpose and work creatively toward it is so much part of our way of life that we may not realize how valued that is in the world at large.” Living Clean, Chapter 5, “Bridging Two Worlds” The idea that what we learn in recovery applies outside AA isContinue reading “AA Principles & Purpose Are Portable – A Spiritual Principle A Day December 12th”

Through The Darkest Days – Grapevine Article May 2005 By Roger W.

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.”

The Mysterious Source Of Love & Awareness – Tracy Cochran Reflection December 4th

As some of you may know, Wayne S.’s meditation teacher, Tracy Cochran, is also an author who has published an excellent book entitled ‘Presence: The Art of Being at Home in Yourself’. We used an extract of her book in the post ‘How Meditation Can Move Us From Conscious Separation To Conscious Connection’. Wayne passedContinue reading “The Mysterious Source Of Love & Awareness – Tracy Cochran Reflection December 4th”

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”

Gratitude & More Fully Participating In Our Lives – Atlas Of The Heart – Brené Brown

If you go to p.107 of the Twelve & Twelve, Bill W makes this provocative claim: “Life is not be endured or mastered” Although he doesn’t attempt to answer the question of what life is; I’ve found the words “more fully participated in” an answer that seems consistent with what the NOW of life unceasinglyContinue reading “Gratitude & More Fully Participating In Our Lives – Atlas Of The Heart – Brené Brown”

What Are The Principles We’re Supposed To Practice? – Practice These Principles By Ray A.

I found this article very helpful in exploring this question of what are the principles that the 12th step suggests we need to practice in all our affairs. There are many versions of different answers to this question that you can find with a google search. For me , I found Ray A’s approach moreContinue reading “What Are The Principles We’re Supposed To Practice? – Practice These Principles By Ray A.”