I am loyal in my attendance, generous in my giving, kind in my criticism, creative in my suggestions, loving in my attitudes. Twenty-Four Hours a Day. Over the years I have heard so many “Truths,” “Facts,” “Musts,” in our Mutual Support Fellowship and quite frankly, there were times that not only did I believe them, … Read more
Chuck C., a well-known early AA member in California, testified before the Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Subcommittee in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 27, 1969. This is his testimony which has been copied from the official hearing records: Present: Senators Hughes, (presiding), Dominick, and Saxbe [members of the Subcommittee]. Also present: Senators Cranston and Murphy … Read more
Unless you have gone through school with the Common Core system you probably remember the “Multiplication” tables. We needed to memorize those tables and had better learn some shortcuts and not with our fingers to assist in the process. I recently saw a “gif” of the multiples of “10,” it went like this: 10 x … Read more
How do you know there is trouble in river city in a relationship? The first way is look at their social media pages. Clue #1 is changing the profile picture from a photo of a couple to solo shot. When is true trouble on the horizon? When the status changes from “in a relationship” to … Read more
When, therefore, we speak to you of God, we mean your own conception of God. —Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th ed., pg. 47 I attend a group on the History of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) on Saturdays. It is amazing how AA has grown and flourished over the years due to some simple concepts that were inclusive and … Read more
“Mastery does not come from dabbling. We have to be prepared to pay the price. We need to have the sustained enthusiasm that motivates us to give our best.” — Eknath Easwaran In order to overcome any obstacle and addiction is an obstacle in living a successful life, we must recognize that there is a … Read more
Consequences, Cravings and Contradictions: Consequences: The onset of positive, meaningful, personal and permanent change begins with significant pain. There are two basic reasons people change; they are either running away from pain or towards pleasure… This is what we call the Pain Pleasure Principle… Addiction recovery starts with pain, however sustainable permanent recovery is a … Read more
“We must remember that AA’s Steps are suggestions only. A belief in them as they stand is not at all a requirement for membership among us. This liberty has made AA available to thousands who never would have tried at all, had we insisted on the Twelve Steps just as written.” Bill Wilson, Alcoholics Anonymous … Read more
I am looking for a lot of men who have an infinite capacity to not know what can’t be done. ~ Henry Ford When we start out on the recovery journey believing that we can stay sober and live a happy life seems extremely out of reach. In the beginning we get frustrated and regress … Read more
“I never teach my pupils; I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn.” — Albert Einstein One of the reasons addictions counselors and treatment providers fail so miserably is simple, they “TELL” people what to do and push them into the box that they have outlined. No where under any conditions … Read more