Blog Profile / Recovery Archive

Rescuing a newcomer from a 13th stepper

13 stepping seems to be as rife as ever it was. I went to a meeting last week where there was only one female newcomer and so I went and spoke to her right at the very end. I didn't waste much time. Within 30 seconds a creepy bloke less...Show More Summary

We are a blessing to other people in times of real crises

Reading Syd's blog posts about bereavement made me think about how draining it is processing grief. In my case what was probably more draining than the caretaking prior to death and the grieving, was dealing with disturbed and obstructive family members who basically lost the plot because they were not living along spiritual lines. Show More Summary

The rough-and-tumble unmasks the half measures members

Firstly I'd like to apologise for my lengthy absence. My computer was getting very buggy and slow and it badly needed an overhaul. I finally sorted out a new setup and so everything has finally cranked up to a more acceptable speed in...Show More Summary

“Dark Matter” shows up between years 5 and 10. Otherwise referred to as depression

I've been meaning to write this post for a really long time and I keep putting it on the pending tray because I really don't know if I'm able to do it justice in the written form. I've had this conversation countless times verbally but...Show More Summary

4 Column Worksheet: Where am I and where am I going?

Thinking of others who are in the bereavement process..

I've been thinking a lot about how death affects people recently. Reading Syd’s blog post about a good friend who passed away recently and his thoughts about what he could do for the person who is either dying or recently deceased. Plus all the poignancy that comes to the surface when a good friend dies. Show More Summary

Never underestimate how crazy family members can get when somebody dies

Firstly my apologies for being away for so long. I actually enjoy writing. And I enjoy reading what other people have to say. I also enjoy the online community of bloggers. It's an extension of my network of recovery that have in real life. Show More Summary

4 Column Worksheet: Magic Magnifying Mind: Where am I and where am I going?

The Doctor in "Acceptance was the answer" page 407 talks of a ' Magic magnifying mind ' on page 420, and says on page 419 that "If I focus on a problem, the problem increases: if I focus on the answer, the answer increases." You canShow More Summary

What you resist persists: 'We have ceased fighting anything or anyone' p84

Here is a phrase I use when I encounter something I dislike and want to get rid of promptly. I find it really helpful in stopping the rising panic when I see something I think is 'bad' that I must get rid of immediately. It helps meShow More Summary

70 things I have learned about what to do with a dying person

Well I'm afraid I was right after all about my dad, and he did indeed make the great transition. Thank you for your prayers and positive thoughts because they helped a great deal ?Here are 70 things that came to mind about things I have learned about what to do with a dying person. Show More Summary

Your prayers and kind thoughts are helping my dying dad in so many ways, so thank you all so much

Thanks for your kind thoughts towards my dad. I showed him your comments and he was warmly appreciative in the way that only a dying person can be. It was a very beautiful and touching thing to see his appreciation. Dying is such a bullshit-free zone, I absolutely love it. Show More Summary

I think my dad is dying. I think his time has come..

I think my dad is dying. I think his time has come.. so I'm off to see him. It might be a false alarm, bu twe shall see. Wish me luck and if you have time to send a few positive thoughts his way that would be much appreciated. He's been terminally ill for a while now, so we all knew it was coming. Show More Summary

Disappointment, Idealism, and why it’s not a good idea to put people on pedestals.

I seem to be spending a lot of time recently explaining to people under 5 years of sobriety that just because people have been sober long time doesn’t necessarily mean that they are nice people, or that they are not seriously deluded or deeply unconscious in some way or other. Show More Summary

Avioding relapse: Here's some stuff that you can't really afford not to do

Here's some stuff that you can't really afford not to do.There are some really basic things that seem like common sense to me now, but didn't always seem like that. So if you're a new person, or you're fairly new to AA generally, orShow More Summary

Emanate goodwill instead of emanating ill will

I always think motive is far more important than the words themselves. I feel my way rather than thinking my way. If when I look inside I can see condemning, presupposed judgements or accusatory tendencies, I know through previous experience...Show More Summary

Dependence or Attachment? The Solution is to 'Kiss the joy as it flies'

I'm glad that I can take refuge in something other than 'people places and things' ie "Joy at last to know there's no happiness in the world"..meaning thank god I no longer have to waste valuable time, mental and emotional energy looking...Show More Summary

Converting straw to gold. Converting suffering to liberation..

Here’s some summary notes I made on the chapter 6 of a book about how to develop happiness in the previous post. I’ve added Big Book quotes when they seemed to be saying the same thing. I only made these notes to help me remember it later. Show More Summary

The part of us that does not want to be in relationship to anything

“I often notice that when people get up from the table on the patio, they don’t push their chair back in. They have no commitment to that chair. They feel, “The chair isn’t important, I have to get into the zendo and hear about the truth.” But the truth is the chair. Show More Summary

Heard in a meeting

'I want to do life 'neat', not dilute it with alcohol'. I heard this and liked it, so I just thought I would share that. It's a brilliant autumnal day over here. Have a lovely wednesday :)

What (free) stuff I'm listening to. Amongst other things.. Adyashanti

I love this !!!!! sooo much at the moment. Can't !! stop listening to it on my ipod. :) The free basic teaching talks are ! excellent. But yes, I have bought some mp3's as well. Can't get enough of this at the moment. Love it to bits. Show More Summary