Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Reflections on the road to Recovery from alcoholism- The most important thing in my life


                 Reflections on the ...........................................Road to recovery


                                            The most important thing in my life


I hear it all the time. "Not taking a drink is the most important thing in my life".  Every time I hear it I pause to consider if this I what I really believe for myself.

 I'm conflicted......

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Reflections on the road to Recovery from alcoholism- Connecting with others


Reflections
....on the Road to Recovery
     



                                       Connecting with others when I speak
           

The other day I did a lead on step 11 and afterward I didn't feel really great about it. I had read sections of the Big Book and shared a blog I had written about God's will..But something wasn't right. One thing I am sure of was a story I told of an experience I had with a spiritual event in my life...connected with the people. I could see it in their faces as I told the story.

I was confused about why I felt uncomfortable with my lead until yesterday-when someone out of the blue said, "AA asks that when we speak at a meeting we share our experience, strength and hope of recovery...not our knowledge".

That was it..I was trying to educate..not share my experience, strength and hope. Then just to confirm I attended a meeting a few days later when a lady gave a lead on step 11..filled with personal experience, struggles, joy and hope..everyone connected.

I got it now!

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Reflections on the road to Recovery from alcoholism- A day at a time





             Reflections.................................................on the Road to recovery

                                                           A day at a time


Many years ago a few of my friends and I began a spiritual retreat where we go off for a weekend (in spring and fall) to focus on spirituality. The retreat has grown in size from about 10 to now 40 attendee's. It has evolved and transformed over the years and many now consider it an integral part of their program of recovery and growth. An interesting note is that a few attendee's are not in recovery from addiction- They attend with the stated intention of growing their spirituality...and they claim this retreat is a major avenue for that growth.

We have themes for each retreat... Past themes included:

Living the 12th step
Focus on the positive
Finding Peace and Serenity
Two paths to follow-pick 1
Knowing Gods will
Under Construction
Embracing change

We  are very excited about our upcoming April 2014 retreat. The theme will be titled:

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Reflections on the road to Recovery from alcoholism-There is a solution


 Reflections .............................................................on the Road to recovery

 
                                                 There is a solution

 In the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous there is a chapter named "There is a solution". It is a chapter that gets read and discussed on a regular basis especially when newcomers are present.

The other day I attended a meeting and as the content of the chapter was being read I had a thought  that went like this, "There is a solution-and its not alcohol!