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.”

People, Places, And Things – Grapevine Article June 1984 By S.C.

A look at the positive side of a familiar AA warning MANY BEGINNERS in my area are fond of saying, “I go to lots of meetings and I stay away from people, places, and things.” I’ve often felt like correcting the speaker by saying, “Surely, you don’t mean all people, places, and things.” I hold my tongueContinue reading “People, Places, And Things – Grapevine Article June 1984 By S.C.”

A Practice Of Thanksgiving – Daily Meditation November 27th By Richard Rohr

Gratitude is strongest, clearest, most robust, and radical when things are really hard. —Diana Butler Bass, Grateful  During a time of crisis, historian and author Diana Butler Bass shares an experience of committing to a practice of gratitude:   I did the only thing I could think of doing—simply saying “thanks” as I went through the day. IContinue reading “A Practice Of Thanksgiving – Daily Meditation November 27th By Richard Rohr”

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”

Facing Life With Courage – A Spiritual Principle A Day November 22nd

It takes courage to give this AA way of life a try. Whether it’s for the first or the fourteenth time, walking through the doors to our first meeting–or first meeting back–takes real determination. And that’s just the beginning. Once we stop drinking, and our obsession fades, the challenges of living life on life’s termsContinue reading “Facing Life With Courage – A Spiritual Principle A Day November 22nd”

Friendship In Recovery- Each Day A New Beginning February 14th

Friendship of a kind that cannot easily be reversed tomorrow must have its roots in common interests and shared beliefs.–Barbara W. Tuchman The gift of friendship has been extended to each of us sharing this program. Our interest is common: we want to stay abstinent. And we share the belief that a power greater thanContinue reading “Friendship In Recovery- Each Day A New Beginning February 14th”

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”