This is going to be the first in a series of blogs on the 12 steps.I have found that the 12 steps are an interesting topic. On one hand, I know many people that attribute many years of sobriety from a number of different addictions to the 12 step process.I also see that many 12Continue reading “12 Steps – Part 1”
Tag Archives: recovery
Darkness
Recently one of my grandsons came to spend the night with me for the first time since I moved. He is five. Being a good papaw, I let him stay up later than mommy and daddy do. He fell asleep just before a line of strong thunder storms rolled through. My daughter texted me toContinue reading “Darkness”
Appreciation
If you’re sober right now I’m glad you’re standing and I am proud of you. There were days early in my recovery when I was measuring my sobriety by how many minutes I had been awake. I’m guessing some of you have experienced those days. Maybe you’re living one now. I’d like to suggest thatContinue reading “Appreciation”
Living Life
Some of you that follow my blog or know me personally know that I have experienced a few events that I fondly refer to as “moments of extreme temporary stupidity”. I first heard that phrase directed at some things I had done as I was being sentenced to two years in prison. The truth is,Continue reading “Living Life”
Five Points
Recently I was drinking coffee and talking with my friend, Ryan Speight and he was telling me about a new business he is getting off the ground called Five Points Navigation. Ryan has a military background and an exercise he participated in there involved a compass, maybe a map, and a destination. Based on that,Continue reading “Five Points”
Grace
I came across this quote from Gerald May on St. Augustine this week and man, did it pierce my soul. “God is always trying to give good things to us, but our hands are too full to receive them.” As I contemplated what I fill my hands with my first thoughts were “things”, stuff, possessions.Continue reading “Grace”
Honesty
Step one of AA’s twelve steps says that “We admitted we were powerless over alcohol – that our lives had become unmanageable.”The principle behind this step is honesty. Being honest with ourselves. I didn’t understand this my first time through the steps. In fact, I think I chose to ignore this step while attempting toContinue reading “Honesty”
Expectation
Expectation. All of us have experienced it. I’m sitting in the coffee shop where I usually write my blog. I’ve been coming here for years and people here know me. When I walk through the door I’m usually greeted with, “Hey Ron!” Often, before I reach the counter, they are getting my cup ready andContinue reading “Expectation”
How long?
Early in my recovery I remember asking my parole officer how long I would have to attend meetings. She answered with a question, “Do you intend just to satisfy the DOC or do you intend to stay sober?”I still remember how bad that pissed me off. I attended meetings every week but only because ifContinue reading “How long?”
Tracking My Struggle
When I began my journey down the road to recovery, I attended a group therapy program. Our therapist wanted us to journal during the week about what was going on when we were struggling. She also wanted to know what was going on when things were good. I later became involved in a group thatContinue reading “Tracking My Struggle”