MANY OF YOU WILL NOT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT THE MANY IMPORTANT HISTORICAL SITES OF THE FELLOWSHIP OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS.

I PLAN TO SHARE WITH YOU PHOTOS I HAVE TAKEN OF THEM AS WELL AS PHOTOS I HAVE TAKEN OF SPECIAL MEETING LOCATIONS THAT I HAVE VISITED.





Saturday, 27 September 2025

SEP 27, 25 .. AMENDS..

September, the 9th month, brings us to Amends both in the 9th and 10th steps.

If you study our great Program of Recovery, you will see that very little of what we have was created and originated by A.A. or is carried forward only by A.A. 

These are "Universal Principles".

However, it has been my own personal experience that, we in A.A follow them much more diligently than do most other programs.

Below is a good example of this "Universality".

NATIONAL TODAY, is the source of much of the below information. 

https://nationaltoday.com/forgiveness-day/

Back on June the 26th, NATIONAL TODAY  looked at the below topic of Forgiveness. 


We make amends in both the 9th and 10th steps for ourselves, not for the other person.

No! We are NOT asking for forgiveness when we make an amend. 

We are cleaning our side of the street.

But in so doing, we greatly benefit. 

The practice of forgiveness can be traced back thousands of years with mention being made in numerous religious texts. It may seem like a difficult task, but it is merely letting go of anger, hurt, or a desire for vengeance.

Forgiveness has been linked to many mental health benefits including reduced stress, anger, depression, and anxiety. Positive relational health – including improved social support and marital quality – comes with forgiveness. It also leads to an array of physical health benefits including lowered blood pressure and improved cardiovascular health.

As we make our Amends, then we can begin the process of forgiving ourselves.

Saturday, 30 August 2025

AUG 30, 25.. EMOTIONAL SOBRIETY..


Lately Patti and I have been reading the above Grapevine Book along with some older (1990s up to 2010) Grapevine Magazines reading many articles written by longtime members stating that there is far more to AA than just not drinking.

It all boils down to EMOTIONAL SOBRIETY.

So I decided to "Toss My Hat Into The Ring"

What is it? 

For me it is simple. Emotional Sobriety is being relatively (no we will never be perfect) happy, joyous and free.

Then I have to want this! And be willing to go to any length to achieve it.

For me it takes:

GRATITUDE.. If I can just focus on what I have to be grateful for, then I am NOT focusing on my problems and challenges. For me Gratitude is an action not merely a mind trip.

ACCEPTANCE.. Does not mean Approval. What is, IS. Period.

If I cannot accept what I am absolutely, totally unable to change, I will be out trying to change things I will never be able to change. This is a dead end road of frustration that takes me away from being relatively happy, joyous and free.

Actually using the 12 Steps of Recovery. Walk The Walk! Don't Just Talk The Talk. 

Pause When Agitated. Practice Love and Tolerance of Others. Clean my side of the street. When wrong make amends. etc.

PRAYER and MEDITATION, working together, go a long way helping me find Gratitude and Acceptance.

Good luck on your journey.