Some Of Us Travel Different Paths
Nobody has a patent on how recovery is supposed to work, or, there is no such thing as “cookie cutter” recovery. What works for the oldtimer who taught me might not work if he tried to teach you the same lesson or principle. Then again, it might but the point is we are all like snow flakes (yep, flaky ) just a bit different. As long as it works!
Aawoken has a dynamite post up today called “90 in 90.”

The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, aka 12 and 12, is the textbook to the Steps. Written in 1952, mostly by Bill W., this slim volume gives details about working all 12 Steps. It also tells us about the Traditions. Although it was written long after the Big Book, the 12 and 12 is also part of the original source material for any 12 Step Program
The Steps are how we work our program; the Traditions are how our fellowships work. This book will answer many questions about both, and provide you a way to work with each.
With love, blessings …read more

The Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous, doesn’t really need a review. First written in 1939, mostly by A.A.’s co-founder Bill W. with the help of maybe 100 original members, it’s the foundation text for all 12 Step Programs.
As a writer and editor in the new century, I can certainly pick at the way it was written, but I don’t. Oh, sure I think it would be great if A.A. World Services would issue a companion Big Book that used gender neutral terms. And some of the stories make me crazy.
But the truth is this book saved my life just as …read more

One of the problems with addiction is that, when we are practicing it, it totally limits or even eliminates our ability to make a contribution to the world. When I was drinking and drugging, my world narrowed down to the next drink and the next drug. Recovery in A.A. and N.A. allowed me, after some time and serious Step work, to begin to reach out beyond my own, selfish needs and wants. First it was in simple things, like cleaning up after a meeting. Then it was 12 Step calls.
The temptation is to stay small, to limit our participation in …read more

My afternoon has devolved into Goat Dancing. Goat Dancing is how a friend of mine describes the need to handle all sorts of little, niggly little details.
For example, a client of mine called to ask why a certain press release hadn’t been sent. It wasn’t sent because I never got the information. That led to both of us searching our in and out boxes, trying to figure out how it went missing. After a few minutes I realized that was unproductive, so suggested an alternative approach, which seems to be working.
I’m doing a website for the same client and …read more

A study released last year by the University of Pennsylvania reported that some 11% of roughly 800 interviewed seniors said they make either large bets or bet much more than they can affords. The study, which was reported at Shreveporttimes.com, also noted that those with alcoholism or drug abuse issues, and those with significant memory loss were the most vulnerable.
Casino gambling is one thing I’m not addicted to, for which I’m grateful. But I do know several people who have successfully let go of their gambling addiction through Gamblers Anonymous.
With love, blessings, and gratitude,

A new year, complete with 365 days… well, today’s the second, but you get the idea. That’s a whole lot of 24 hours.
Like many, I’ve been doing some goal setting. I go at this pretty gently because I’ve learned the difference between planning and expectations. But planning keeps me on track, as long as I remember, my goals are aiming points, not locked in stone. Goals aren’t meant to be used to beat myself up if I don’t achieve them, nor to rest too long on my laurels when I do get them accomplished.
And these days, I include things …read more

You’ve heard it ‘round the tables: if you don’t think God has a sense of humor, then tell God your plans.
The implication is that things never turn out the way we plan them, which is often true, maybe even usually true.
Hidden within this joke is the recognition that there’s a huge difference between plans and expectations. It seems we addicts are really good at making our plans or expectations into demands. I’m reminded of an old cartoon of a baby with a scowl banging his spoon (yes, I’m sure it was a boy baby, which shows my inherent sexism) …read more

I don’t know about you, but I read a lot – both junk novels and also books that are more interesting. I’ve been updating my www.powerfullyrecovered.com site and just finished the book review section. Take a look.
What have I left out? What have you read recently that has influenced your recovery?
With love, blessings, and gratitude,

Step 12 (Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to [name the condition] and practice these principles in all our affairs.) tells us to practice the principles, the Steps of the program.
It’s been my observation that it’s hard to get worse at something we practice. It’s been my experience that the more I work the Steps, the better I get at it and the better my live goes.
With love, blessings, and gratitude,