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Eyes of Gratitude Prayer
Eyes of Gratitude Prayer God, thank you for the life you have given me, and all that lies ahead. Help me see all the opportunities that exist now, in this, and every moment. Grant me an awareness of the miracles and gifts contained in each moment, the wonders of our bodies and minds, and all…
The AA Sponsor: Sounding Board
The Danger of Unchecked Thinking in Sobriety “In sobriety, I have never had a bad idea…until I ran it by someone else!” Dick B. While normal people might be able to independently brainstorm solutions to their problems, for those of us battling alcoholism, this approach can often lead to more significant issues. The AA’s Big…
Navigating AA Meetings
A Common Saying: No Bad AA Meetings In the circles of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), there is a common cliché that you might have heard: “There is no such thing as a bad AA meeting.” However, if we take a closer look, it becomes evident that not all meetings are created equal. Indeed, there can be,…
Carl Jung – AA’s Grandpa
Carl Jung’s Influence on AA Carl Jung, the renowned Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, plays a significant role in the history and development of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). His belief that spiritual solutions were best suited to treating life’s problems, especially alcoholism, marked a revolutionary shift in the realms of psychology and addiction treatment. Spiritual Foundations of…
Growing Up in AA
Embracing Maturity in AA An insightful oldtimer recently remarked, “when you boil AA down, it’s all about growing up and becoming a responsible adult!” Indeed, there is significant truth in these words. Recognizing our Emotional Immaturity The 12 Steps and 12 Traditions of AA highlight that many of us display characteristics of being “childish, emotionally…
The American Roots of AA
The Role of the American Spiritual Landscape in AA’s Formation When reflecting on the roots of AA, it becomes evident that this movement could only have been born within the religiously diverse and ecumenical landscape of the United States. No other country offers such a broad religious plurality, creating the fertile ground needed for concepts…
A New Perception through AA
The AA Perspective on Spiritual Awakening One of the boldest statements in the 12-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) asserts, “having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps!” To those unfamiliar with the AA program, this may sound akin to a religious decree. However, AA is far from being a religion, despite…
Perspective: Learning from Experience
There are countless lessons we can draw from the experiences of others. The other day, I heard a profoundly enlightening story that underscores the transformative power of self-awareness and empathy in the context of sober living. The Initial Reaction The story is about a man who had just begun his journey to sobriety. At that…