Several years ago there was a best seller called “The Secret.” This book was another in a long line of books of that teaches that what you think determines outcomes in life. Positive thought (and expectation) is “the secret” to success and happiness in life. This Philosophy comes in many flavors. For people in AA, thought…

Often people pray for others. When there is nothing else to say or do, as in a troubling or tragic situation, people often say, “I’ll pray for you.” This is a kind thing to say as many people believe that God or a Higher Power responds directly to prayers and petitions. Whether or not this is the…

The above passage, known as “the Serenity Prayer” is one of the most beloved prayers for people in recovery. It is simple and profound at the same time. It is also theologically benign (in its short form) – allowing people of many faiths to share in its message. There are three things I love about…

In AA “judging” someone is euphemistically called “taking their inventory.” Sitting in a room, looking across from someone, taking in how they present themselves and listening to what they say (if they share) has led me to make many hasty and ill-informed judgements. If there is anything I have learned in my years, is that people have pasts that often…

The classic cliche found in AA meetings is, “religion is for those afraid of hell, and spirituality is for those who have been there.” Debating these cliches is not very productive. After all, the reason they became cliches is that they resonate some truth that compels people to repeat them in the first place. The truth in…