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True to Ourselves
(Preview)
This above all: to thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou 'canst not then be false to any man. -- William Shakespeare
To thine own self be true. A grounding statement for those of us who get caught up in the storm of needs and feelings of others.
Listen to the self. What do w...
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WHO the F does this guy think he is??????
(Preview)
OK, folks! As some of you know my kid once again is in trouble with the law. He turned himself in a few weeks back. Circumstances, a lot of prayer, talking to my sponsor, an attorney and other AA's who've been through it, I bailed the kid out! A long time friend of mine (a guy), who is also in the program, wen...
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Doll
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Relationships
(Preview)
There is a gift for us in each relationship that comes our way.
Sometimes the gift is a behavior we're learning to acquire: detachment, self esteem, becoming confident enough to set a boundary, or owning our power in another way.
Some relationships trigger healing in us - healing from issues of t...
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Daily Reflections ~ "The Quality Of Faith"
(Preview)
This. . . has to do with the quality of faith. . . . In no deep or meaningful sense had we ever taken stock of ourselves. . . . We had not even prayed rightly. We had always said, Grant me my wishes instead of Thy will be done. TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p.32 God does not grant me material possessions,...
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Sobrietyspell
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24 Hrs a Day ~ 6th Nov 08
(Preview)
A.A. Thought for the Day Fear and worry had me down. My drinking increased them. I worried about what I had done when I was drunk. I was afraid of what the consequences might be. I was afraid to face people because of the fear of being found out. Fear kept me in hot water all the time. I was a nervous wreck from...
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There Is A Solution
(Preview)
Big Book Of Alcoholics Anonymous Chapter 2There Is A SolutionWe, of Alcoholics Anonymous, know thousands of men and women who were once just as hopeless as Bill. Nearly all have recovered. They have solved the drink problem. We are average Americans. All sections of this country and many of its occu...
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Doll
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Enjoying Life
(Preview)
Do something fun today.
If you're relaxing, let yourself relax, without guilt, without worrying about the work that is undone.
If you're with loved ones, let yourself love them, and let them love you. Let yourself feel close.
Let yourself enjoy your work, for that can be pleasurable too.
If...
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Subtle Changes
(Preview)
Interesting day - odd to watch the changes in myself. I was a sit in chair for my meeting today, a first for me. I am so terrified of speaking in public, but I am learning to not be, thanks to AA. It went well. The usual secretary had not been heard from, so everyone suggested I do it. A regular came in late a...
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tlcate
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Daily Reflections ~ Going With The Flow
(Preview)
GOING WITH THE FLOW Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him. . TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 96 The first words I speak when arising in the morning are, "I arise, O God, to do Thy will." This is the shortest prayer I know and...
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24 Hrs a Day ~ 5th Nov 08
(Preview)
A.A. Thought for the Day During our thoughts about the rewards that have come to us as a result of our new way of living, we find that we have new kinds of homes, new relationships with our husbands or wives and our children. Also peace, contentment, hope, faith, charity, and new ambition. What are some o...
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Keep it simple
(Preview)
Keep It Simple Acceptance and faith are capable of producing 100% sobriety. --Grapevine. Acceptance and faith are the most important parts of our recovery. If we boil down Steps One And Two, we'll find acceptance and faith. Acceptance means we see the world as it is, not as we want it to be. We start to...
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lani
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Back after 20 years
(Preview)
Hi - I was pushed into AA at the age of 18. Remained a member for about 5 years and then put aside. Love the attention of AA bit just chalked it up to typical teenage drinking versus the blanks others filled in. Started drinkin again 8 years ago just a glass or two late in the evenings with my husband - this...
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Marie9
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Let's Make a Deal
(Preview)
The relationship just wasn't working out, and I wanted it to so badly. I kept thinking if I just made myself look prettier, if I just tried to be a more loving, kind person, then he would love me. I turned myself inside out to be something better, when all along, who I was was okay. I just couldn't see what I w...
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God's Will For Us
(Preview)
Goodness is the natural state of this world. The world is good! Even when it seems evil, it's good. There's only goodness in God. And, that same good is in us all. You can feel it in yourself. You know when you feel good inside. Yes, you are God's child too. You are good & you are sacred. Respect yoursel...
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Sobrietyspell
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Anger
(Preview)
Feeling angry - and, sometimes, the act of blaming - is a natural and necessary part of accepting loss and change - of grieving. We can allow ourselves and others to become angry as we move from denial toward acceptance.
As we come to terms with loss and change, we may blame our higher Power, others, or...
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Daily Reflections ~ Focusing & Listening
(Preview)
There is a direct linkage among self - examination, meditation, and prayer. Taken separately, these practices can bring much relief and benefit. Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions Page 98 If I do my self - examination first, then surely, Ill have enough humility to pray and meditate - because Ill se...
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24 Hours a Day ~ 3rd Nov 08
(Preview)
A.A. Thought for the Day ~ I have charity, another word for love. That right kind of love which is not selfish passion but an unselfish, outgoing desire to help other people. To do what is best for the other person, to put what is best for him or her above my own desires. To put God first, the other person sec...
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Sobrietyspell
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"Surgery" today
(Preview)
Actually its an outpatient surgical procedure. Going for the pain blocks. Have researched it, talked to others, checked out the doc, prayed a lot. Came to the conclusion I can not continue to live in chronic pain. I can't sleep, I've lost 15lbs and my stress level is through the roof. Soooo, at 12:45 to...
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Doll
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An introduction
(Preview)
Hello, My name is Lori and Im an alcoholic. Sober by the grace of God and the life changing program of Alcoholics Anonymous. I live in Michigan and I am self - employed. I have 2 grown kids and 2 grandkids that I get to see on a regular basis. Im also involved in Alanon with a garden variety of alkies/addic...
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happycamper
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Confused
(Preview)
I hope everyone had a good and safe Halloween! The past couple of days I've been coming down kind of hard on my self. I think that if my dad had never found out about my drinking, or if I didn't have the seizures, I would still be drinking. I find myself saying to others, "Oh, I CANT drink because...
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cramcj01
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Denial
(Preview)
Denial is fertile breeding ground for the behaviors we call codependent: controlling, focusing on others, and neglecting ourselves. Illness and compulsive or addictive behaviors can emerge during denial.
Denial can be confusing because it resembles sleeping. We're not really aware we're d...
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Daily Reflections ~ Keeping Optimism Afloat
(Preview)
The other Steps can keep most of us sober and somehow functioning. But Step Eleven can keep us growing. . . . THE LANGUAGE OF THE HEART, p. 240 A sober alcoholic finds it much easier to be optimistic about life. Optimism is the natural result of my finding myself gradually able to make the best, rather tha...
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24 Hrs a Day ~ 2nd Nov 08
(Preview)
A.A. Thought for the Day I have faith. That thing that makes the world seem right. That thing that makes sense at last. That awareness of the Divine Principle in the universe, which holds it all together and gives it unity and purpose and goodness and meaning. Life is no longer ashes in my mouth or bitter...
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Sobrietyspell
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Migraines
(Preview)
15 Days since my last drink and now like usual my migraines are starting. the first time i quit it took a month. the second 3 weeks. now 2 weeks. does this happen normally with quitting drinking? at first I thought it was a type of withdrawal symptom. which is possible bec I don't take in any type of caffein...
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CriscoJones
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The Grief Process
(Preview)
To let ourselves wholly grieve our losses is how we surrender to the process of life and recovery. Some experts, like Patrick Carnes, call the Twelve Steps "a program for dealing with our losses, a program for dealing with our grief."
How do we grieve?
Awkwardly. Imperfectly. Usuall...
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Wow!
(Preview)
I got asked to sponsor someone today! I know I am not ready, graciously declined, made sure she had my number to call if she needs me. But it felt good! Is being flattered egotistical? tlc -- Edited by tlcate at 10:39, 2008-10-30
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tlcate
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Cravings
(Preview)
I i'm new here but have been around AA for a year or so. Would be grateful for a bit of advice. I recently came home from my 2nd detox and have been sober for 14 days. I am still having really bad cravings - I have tried to think about how that 1st drink will ruin my life and have seen what this terrible illnes...
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Paisley
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Just a quick question
(Preview)
I have been searching for an AA close in my town and I keep seeing abbreviations for the type of meeting. I was just curious what they meant. As Bill Sees it Big Book Meeting Closed Meeting Discussion Meeting Open Meeting Step Meeting Tradition Meeting Twelve Steps and Tradition Meeting. Thanks!
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CriscoJones
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First Meeting
(Preview)
I went to my first meeting tonight. I got cold feet yesterday but I did it today! I attended church this morning which loosened me up for tonight. I'm so happy i did. I met a wonderful lady and exchanged numbers. I was definitely the youngest by 10 years. everyone was so nice. so generous with their thoug...
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CriscoJones
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hi guys
(Preview)
well its 88 days today. Started new job yesterday and like it (so far) Lately, I've been justifying in my head why I can handle one drink because I've 'changed'. I know that's b.s. and I know I won't, especially after seeing a friend I haven't seen in a while on my lunch break (lives 1 block away) and gav...
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TysonMike
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Transformation through Grief
(Preview)
We're striving for acceptance in recovery - acceptance of our past, other people, our present circumstances, and ourselves. Acceptance brings peace, healing, and freedom - the freedom to take care of ourselves.
Acceptance is not a one step process. Before we achieve acceptance, we go toward it...
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Quetzal
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Daily Reflections ~ Avoiding Controversy
(Preview)
All history affords us the spectacle of striving nations and groups finally torn asunder because they were designed for, or tempted into, controversy. Others fell apart because of sheer self-righteousness while trying to enforce upon the rest of mankind some millennium of their own specificati...
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Sobrietyspell
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My Resignation
(Preview)
I am hereby officially tendering my resignation as an adult. I have decided I would like to accept the responsibilities of a 5 year old again. I want to go to McDonald's and think that it is a four star restaurant. I want to sail sticks across a fresh mud puddle and make ripples in a pond with rocks. I want to...
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jonijoni1
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HAPPY HALLOWEEN
(Preview)
Hope everyone has a sweet and spooky night!!!! This will scare you!
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lani
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HeY eVeRyOnE
(Preview)
Well I'm edging on 50 days. It's weird, the rest of my life still feels like a wreck, but I am pretty confident about staying sober. I have only had two urges to drink lately. One was the start of my vaction (this Monday). Typically I would have woke up at 7:30 a.m. and went straight to the liquor store....
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cramcj01
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depressed...
(Preview)
I'm in one of my little depressed episodes... even on meds they pop up from time to time and tend to last a few days... this one started yesterday. I can't focus on anything, for the past few days I've been so tired all the time. I've been trying to study and do school work and the most I'm getting done is...
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ChicknLittle
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Feeling SO low........
(Preview)
Just want to report here that I am feeling extremely low right now. I am coming up on a year again in a couple of weeks, which I think has less to do with this than the time of year, the darkness, and my general tendency to go through periods like this. Was sober for 2 years before the relapse last year, and dur...
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jonijoni1
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The Miricle of Blessings!
(Preview)
Hi all! I have gone to this Christian church for several years now. It is a very big church and they have lots of money. There is a little tiny church I went to for years before. Left it for the hype and excitement of this other church. Well, we are in financial straighnts pretty bad here. To set the sc...
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nique
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The Good Grace of God
(Preview)
Sometimes God breaks our Spirit to save our Soul Sometimes our heart to make us whole Sometimes God allows pain so we can be Stronger Sometimes sends us failure so we can be humble Sometimes God allows illness so we can take better care of ourselves Sometimes takes everything away so we can learn the val...
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Sobrietyspell
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Living Life on Life's Terms
(Preview)
I think I finally figured this saying out this week by a major life change. It seems at the present moment I am like Job, but God reminds me that it is just a season, stand tall and know that I am God! Many major things are very bad in my life right now, and I am only handling what I CAN no more no less. Trying t...
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nique
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24 Hrs a Day ~ 31st Oct 08
(Preview)
A.A. Thought for the Day I have more peace and contentment. Life has fallen into place. The pieces of the jigsaw puzzle have found their correct position. Life is whole, all of one piece. I am not cast hither and yon on every wind of circumstance or fancy. I am no longer a dry leaf cast up and away by the bree...
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Sobrietyspell
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A few questions for my friends
(Preview)
I try to be as proactive as I can and with the holiday season fast approaching I want to have a plan in place. This will be the 1st Christmas I will be spending alone, and not really looking forward to it. Who else has faced this ? Where did you go ? What did you do ? Finances are not a problem anymore. I hav...
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mstrmsn66
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Another lost.....
(Preview)
His name was D-----. He was really struggling with staying sober. He was doing what his sponsor suggested and was in the process of 90 in 90 when he was found Sunday night in home - he'd hung himself. Just proves, again, that alcoholism WILL kill us! In one way or another. I'm so sad for this man, his family...
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Doll
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All Our Needs
(Preview)
And my God shall supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory... -- Phil. 4:19
This verse has helped me many times. It has helped me when I have wondered where my next friend bit of wisdom, insight, or meal was coming from.
Everything I need today shall be supplied to me.
People, jobs...
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Quetzal
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439
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Job Crisis! No References.
(Preview)
I was wondering if anyone out there has been in a similar situation. I'm 39 years old and I don't have any work references. Hard to believe eh. Pretty sad, I know. I have skipped jobs so frequently and usually leave abruptly,without notice. Anyhow, my whole resume is a lie and I just go to interviews hop...
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Artsy Gal
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3
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381
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confession
(Preview)
Hello,I've used AAs 12 steps successfully to stop drinking, but now I have a new problem. Food addiction. I hope the steps will serve me well again. I keep thinking about food, and it has gotten out of control. I hope I can get through this.
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urchin
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Self Value
(Preview)
We have a real life of our own. Yes, we do.
That empty feeling, that senses that everyone except us has a life - an important life, a valuable life, a better life - is a remnant from the past. It is also a self-defeating belief that is inaccurate.
We are real. So is our life. Jump into it, and we'll see.
...
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Quetzal
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Daily Reflections ~ Our Survival
(Preview)
Since recovery from alcoholism is life itself to us, it is imperative that we preserve in full strength our means of survival. TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 177 The honesty expressed by the members of A.A. in meetings has the power to open my mind. Nothing can block the flow of energy that hone...
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Sobrietyspell
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24 Hrs a Day ~ 29th Oct 08
(Preview)
A.A. Thought for the Day My relationships with my children have greatly improved. Those children who saw me drunk and were ashamed, those children who turned away in fear and even loathing have seen me sober and like me, have turned to me in confidence and trust and have forgotten the past as best they c...
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Sobrietyspell
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295
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Acceptance
(Preview)
A magical potion is available to us today. That potion is called acceptance.
We are asked to accept many things: ourselves, as we are; our feelings, needs, desires, choices, and current status of being. Other people, as they are. The status of our relationships with them. Problems. Blessings. Fi...
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Quetzal
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