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There’s one topic we’re all very familiar with.I’ll go out on a limb and proclaim it AA’s most frequently discussed, and most popular topic:I’m talking about Gratitude, of course. It never fails. If a chairperson is at a loss, and casting about for a topic, I’ll bet you dollars to donuts Gratitude will wind up […]

The only requirement for AA membership is a desire to stop drinking. Tradition #3   The miracle of Alcoholics Anonymous is its sheer simplicity.            You want to quit drinking? You’re in.I promise, you will never get turned away because of crappy health insurance.We have no slickly produced commercials or catchy jingles.         We’re above that.However:Once you

Every alcoholic is familiar with the phrase, “To thine own self be true.”It sounds meaningful, and looks great on our medallions.But it’s so much more than a snappy sounding tagline that makes great key chains.Over the years I’ve been oblivious to its meaning. I’ve already established here that I suffer from  OCD, and the older

Not everyone in Alcoholics Anonymous  is a “One Chip Wonder”.  Your sobriety isn’t any less valid because you’ve had a slip. A major contributing factor to my being a “One chip wonder” are those folks who went out, came back, and told us about it. They spoke about what they did or failed to do,

Let it go We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. Promise #3, Alcoholics Anonymous p83-84 One of the first things that attracted me to Alcoholics Anonymous was the level playing field. No matter how old or cultured or educated or successful anyone there was, they all made unfortunate

NEVER GIVE UP During my sixth year of sobriety I slid into a depression that could best be characterized as, “Not of the garden variety.” I knew people who committed suicide because of depression, and I could never understand the rationale. My attitude had always been, “What’s the matter with you? Walk it off!” After

“Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.”Step 2. (Pages 25 – 33 The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous) Here’s the caveat: Being restored assumes you already had it. Not that I’m harshly judging anybody, but Alcoholics Anonymous isn’t exactly a hotbed of mental health. I should know, because

IF I COULD GO BACK “We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it…” Promise #3 of the 9th step Promises, page 83 of the Big Book. This one’s a tall order, especially for anyone who spent the better part of their life pissing people off, burning bridges, sabotaging opportunities

“No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others.” Over the years I’ve managed to stay sober through all sorts of life tests: sickness, death, lost jobs, repossession, bitter disappointment, tragic loss – in short, everything life has thrown at me. By staying close to

I used the word ‘sorry’ like toilet paper.It was easier taking the path of least resistance, pretending contrition, and offering up the obligatory apology. I never really held myself accountable for anything, It was too damn inconvenient. An old sponsor of mine was fond of paraphrasing the 12 & 12.By virtue of the fact that