Releasing what was never mine to control; Embracing what is mine to enjoy.
A Note Here’s a thank-you note to a British mystery — Every once in awhile art accurately reflects the hell addiction is. Watching a character in new series Karen Pirie spiral through decades of drinking and drugging, I connected with
“A tranquil mind is a prerequisite for good judgement . . .” introduces the 12 and 12’s chapter on the Ninth Step. Taking the ninth step requires good judgment — something I haven’t always used, even in recovery. The
Remember My Deliverance The meditation for today urged “never grow numb to your dynamic salvation.” (Psalm 103:2) Don’t take for granted that deliverance, the writer seemed to say to me, from where I was, to where I am; nor fear
Getting the Fourth Step over with is easier than fretting about why I just can’t do it again; or procrastinating. The Fourth Step isn’t just a glance in the mirror to see if anything is out of place. Taking the
Oh Boy! I needed this meeting! That’s what I thought as we read the first half of the 12th step at the 12 & 12 meeting. These past few weeks have filled with hard news— not just of the
Celebrating Celebrating forty-one years with friends at a meeting today — after a two -year hiatus — was just about super. What to say about living forty-one years sober? A close relative gave me a segue. When I told her
When I think back about why I think I drank, details fuzz over. Mainly I started to drink because that was what everybody was doing. My friends and I were sneaking around, getting “tight,’” and partying. It was the early
One of the gifts that keeps on giving in this pandemic is The Grapevine. Its authors in the current and past issues make me feel like I am at a friendly speakers meeting. I can take what I need, and
In my white-knuckling phase, I kept asking, Am I an alcoholic? I couldn’t be; I just wasn’t that bad — not like other problem drinkers I knew! Reading in Step by Step: Real AAs, Real Recovery, I gleaned a bit