Perhaps one of the most profound recovery experiences is captured in “we love you until you learn to love yourself”. And perhaps, this poem can also move us toward the fullness of the paradox “we keep it by giving it away”. This poem and the commentary that follows may help us see with more clarityContinue reading “On Love – Recovery Poem From “The Prophet” by Kahlil Gibran”
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Morning God, I’m Clocking In – Take The 12 Blog By Rick W
Tonight, I was sitting in an A.A. meeting as we read page 100 of the Big Book. We were discussing working with others, spiritual fitness, and the remarkable things that become possible when we place ourselves in God’s hands. One man shared something he once heard from another member of A.A. Every morning, as soonContinue reading “Morning God, I’m Clocking In – Take The 12 Blog By Rick W”
Giving And Getting – Each Day A New Beginning Reflection August 7th
To have one’s individuality completely ignored is like being pushed quite out of life. Like being blown out as one blows out a light. —Evelyn Scott We need to know that we matter in this life. We need evidence that others are aware of our presence. And thus, we can be certain that others needContinue reading “Giving And Getting – Each Day A New Beginning Reflection August 7th”
The Sunshine of Loving-Kindness By Dr. Kristen Neff
Loving-kindness is the source of both gratitude and compassion. It spurs us to count our blessings and tend to our wounds. One of my favorite Buddhist sayings is, “When the sunshine of loving-kindness meets the tears of suffering, the rainbow of compassion appears.”It’s a beautiful description of the relationship between loving-kindness and self-compassion. Many peopleContinue reading “The Sunshine of Loving-Kindness By Dr. Kristen Neff”
Starfish – Grapevine Online Article By Ed L.
This celebration of service reminds us to be grateful to the sponsors who help us find new life as we recover from the storm of alcoholism Tonight as we shared about being of service, I was reminded of a story I heard several years ago. On the morning after a severe thunderstorm, thousands of starfishContinue reading “Starfish – Grapevine Online Article By Ed L.”
Are They Sick or Am I Intolerant? – Take The 12 Blog September 2025 By Rick W.
There’s a line in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, on pages 66–67, that has changed my life. It’s tucked in the middle of the chapter How It Works where the writers stop telling us what alcoholism is and start telling us what to do about it. “This was our course,” it says, pointing toContinue reading “Are They Sick or Am I Intolerant? – Take The 12 Blog September 2025 By Rick W.”
Seeing Ourselves As We Really Are – Deeper Stories By Tracy Cochrane
One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light but by making the darkness conscious.” – Carl Jung Many of us who are drawn to meditation have fantasized about meeting an ideal teacher—-a glowing Buddha-like figure who is able to transmit the light of awareness. When we sit down to practice we imagine ourselvesContinue reading “Seeing Ourselves As We Really Are – Deeper Stories By Tracy Cochrane”
On Pain – Recovery Poem From “The Prophet” by Kahlil Gibran
I’ve loved this poem for many, many years. The phrase ‘your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding’ is a powerful reframe of the value of accepting pain and thus enabling this movement from being a pain killer to becoming a pain healer. I believe being stuck as a ‘pain killer’Continue reading “On Pain – Recovery Poem From “The Prophet” by Kahlil Gibran”
Big Shot in the Homeless Shelter – Take The 12 Blog July 2026 By Rick W.
Yesterday, at the Texas State AA Convention, I heard Andy D. from Edmond, Oklahoma, describe himself during active alcoholism as a “big shot in the homeless shelter.” The phrase stayed with me. I have never lived in a homeless shelter, so I will not pretend to understand that experience. But I know exactly what itContinue reading “Big Shot in the Homeless Shelter – Take The 12 Blog July 2026 By Rick W.”
The Last 161 Words By Rick W
Here are the last 161 words from the text of the Big Book found on page 164. Rick W has written a short, amazing book sharing his experience with these words broken down into key phrases with reflections about steps, promises, prayers, actions and warnings. First, here are those 161 words … Our book isContinue reading “The Last 161 Words By Rick W”