A Dozen Steps

January 31st, 2008

Investment Counsel?

I have a good idea why this poem is titled “Investment Counsel.”
From “Living Sober“ we are given some insight into what might be wise things to spend a few dollars/cents on in early sobriety…
In the first few weeks without a drink
When the wolf is at the door,
And the sheriff’s at the window
And you’re sleeping on […]

By Mark -- 4 comments

January 31st, 2008

Our Common Welfare Should Come First

Personal recovery depends upon AA unity…
I’ve just offered Mary Christine this comment based on an entry she posted yesterday. There are no coincidences! I’d been considering this topic anyway :)
It seems MC and an AA friend share a common concern about another AA member who appears to be doing something that is “tearing him apart.” […]

By Mark -- 0 comments

January 30th, 2008

The Twelve Steps of Narcotics Anonymous

I haven’t spoken of any other 12 Step programs for an awfully long time. It’s about time I did…

From the online home of Narcotics Anonymous; The Twelve Steps of Narcotics Anonymous
“If you want what we have to offer, and are willing to make the effort to get it, then you are ready to take certain […]

By Mark -- 1 comment

January 29th, 2008

Thank You!

Fortunately not all my memory is shot :)
Thursday evening I have the honor of sharing an anniversary with Brandi, Debra, and Janeen. I believe we’ll all be sharing that evening because of you! Thank you all…
Come visit us at the South Side Group at 8pm.
I’m insane??? Okay, then I suppose this is sanity;
I, MICKY, AM […]

By Mark -- 0 comments

January 28th, 2008

Rising Out Of The Depths Of Shame And Despair

“Showing others who suffer how we were given help is the very thing which makes life seem so worth while to us now.”
The Daily Reflections seem to “hit” on current events quite often :)
If I chose to, which I do not, I could allow my mind to focus on what it would perceive as a […]

By Mark -- 3 comments

January 28th, 2008

Walkarounds

If you’ve never done a “walkaround” you might be on the wrong blog…
Sounds a bit like something Australian doesn’t it? As if you might be in the middle of nowhere in central Australia and your path is blocked so you do a walkaround eh? Naaah…
And, for the purposes of this blog, I’ll be sarcastic and […]

By Mark -- 3 comments

January 27th, 2008

Freedom From Guilt

Today’s Daily Reflection;
“Where other people were concerned, we had to drop the word “blame” from our speech and thought”
This reading points out a level of self-deception that I am grateful I understand today…
“When I became willing to accept my own powerlessness, I began to realize that blaming myself for all the troubles in my life […]

By Mark -- 0 comments

January 26th, 2008

A Stark Contrast

This is from the A.A. pamphlet “How AA Members Cooperate With Professionals” and it feels, to me, to be the stark contrast between those who have some success in helping others recover and those who don’t. At the least, it is what AA’s detractors do with a total lack of class.

A.A. is in competition with […]

By Mark -- 2 comments

January 25th, 2008

First Step Promises

Thanks again to the folks at the AA History Lovers Group at Yahoo!
There are far more than Twelve Promises written in the Big Book “Alcoholics Anonymous.”
This is a listing of only those relating to the First Step (please, some may be a stretch - utilize, don’t analyze);
First Step Promises:
1. How many thousands of men and […]

By Mark -- 4 comments

January 24th, 2008

“WTF Is Wrong With Me?”

Do you remember an oldtimer telling you “we’ll love you until you can love yourself?” I do.
Have you ever been told to “come down off the cross - we need the wood?” Or… “it’s about time you stopped being the victim?”
How about “leave the Louisville Slugger at the door?”
The over-riding mindset I’ve been plagued with […]

By Mark -- 0 comments