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Chatty Cathy #1
While my mom and I were on a retreat in Arizona a few months ago, my mom pointed out my tendency to stop and talk to everyone I meet. She began to call me Chatty Cathy, after the popular doll from the...
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Hell of a Year
One year ago at this moment, I was driving from Los Angeles to San Francisco. I was to stay at my parents’ house for a night, then drive with my mom from San Francisco to Portland, Oregon. The plan...
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A Willingness to Learn
Willingness is one of the keys to my sobriety. In early recovery as much as today, I must maintain an open mind and a willingness to learn something new. Whether it is accepting a Higher Power into...
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What is a “Spiritual Experience?”
The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous states in the second Appendix, “The terms “spiritual experience” and “spiritual awakening” are used many times in this book which, upon careful reading, shows that...
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Keeping Outside Issues Out
The Tenth Tradition reminds us that we as a group do not have an opinion on outside issues. This is an important principle, as it keeps our meetings focused on our primary purpose: to help others. As...
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Practicing in All Our Affairs: Mindfulness
The Twelfth Step of Alcoholics Anonymous suggests we “practice these principles in all our affairs.” In prayer and meditation, our work with others, and meetings we are able to be present and work our...
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Equanimity: Others and Self
Equanimity is the practice of treating things neutrally. We don’t judge or react; we experience things exactly as they are and do not add on. Speaking with a teacher recently, we discussed the...
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Step Three: Surrender and the Three Jewels
The Third Step of Alcoholics Anonymous states, “Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.” The principle behind this step is Surrender. The 3rd Step...
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Why You’re OK Just the Way You Are
Do you ever get tired of hearing that you have to be a smaller size? In order to be OK you have to fry more fat, tighten your butt, firm your abs, fit into those skinny jeans, and do it all with a...
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Finding Gratitude
Journal Entry: June 23rd, 2013 “It happened again today – when I learned that my childhood best friend’s father is dying. I am, once again, intimate with fear; death; dying. I think I pushed it away...
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