MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'big book.'. Tue, 04 May 2010 18:44:41 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3480938&cid=t_291415_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FRecoveryIsSexycom%2F%7E3%2FDPgFXdr9R1w%2F Bill W. and wife Lois sharing their story as the co-founders of Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-anon. Go to this link to see more video’s of Bill and Lois. See also; Bill’s Story in the book ‘Alcoholics Anonymous’ Alcoholism, Addiction & Codependency Recovery Bookstore Hazelden Books, DVD's & Medalions (Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com) Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3480938 Sat, 17 Apr 2010 10:47:45 +0100 3480938 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3416335&cid=t_291415_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Ffree-aa-mp3s-and-film-of-bill-w%2F Silkworth.net has a selection of free MP3’s of the founders and old-timers of Alcoholics Anonymous. Also there is a movie “My Name is Bill W.” -The Movie – 700 MB, high quality, 1hr 40 minutes. The MP3’s include; The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous Joe and Charlie Big Book study Father Martin -giving his ‘Chalk Talk’ Alcoholics Anonymous – this is a large print of the Big Book as a pdf file. Talks by Father John Doe A Study Guide to the AA Big Book -by Ken W. Bill W. and Dr. Bob (cofounders of Alcoholics Anonymous) Lois Wilson (Al-anon) Clarence Snyder The ‘Big Book’ as a Windows Helpfile Random Big Book quotes for Windows screen saver See all at – Silkworth.net See also MP3 Free 12 Step Tracks MP3 Recovery Tracks for Lesbians in AA... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3416335 Sun, 28 Mar 2010 16:58:00 +0100 3416335 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3404152&cid=t_291415_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Falcoholics-anonymous-big-book%2F Alcoholics Anonymous – Big Book 4th Edition It’s more than a book. It’s a way of life. Alcoholics Anonymous-The Big Book--has served as a lifeline to millions worldwide. First published in 1939, Alcoholics Anonymous sets forth cornerstone concepts of recovery from alcoholism and tells the stories of men and women who have overcome the disease. Key features and benefits the most widely used resource for millions of individuals in recovery – not only alcoholics contains full, original text describing the A.A. program updated with 24 new personal stories This book has had a powerful impact on millions of lives for over seventy years now. It was written by the first hundred or so members of A.A. less than five years after the program was founded. The simple (not easy) ... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3404152 Wed, 24 Mar 2010 02:45:00 +0100 3404152 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3399180&cid=t_291415_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FRecoveryIsSexycom%2F%7E3%2F_3qPlkcjTXg%2F Alcoholics Anonymous – Big Book 4th Edition It’s more than a book. It’s a way of life. Alcoholics Anonymous-The Big Book--has served as a lifeline to millions worldwide. First published in 1939, Alcoholics Anonymous sets forth cornerstone concepts of recovery from alcoholism and tells the stories of men and women who have overcome the disease. Key features and benefits the most widely used resource for millions of individuals in recovery – not only alcoholics contains full, original text describing the A.A. program updated with 24 new personal stories This book has had a powerful impact on millions of lives for over seventy years now. It was written by the first hundred or so members of A.A. less than five years after the program was founded. The simple (not easy) ... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3399180 Wed, 24 Mar 2010 02:45:00 +0100 3399180 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3374386&cid=t_291415_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fa-vision-for-you-2%2F ‘A vision for you’ is the title of chapter 11 of the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book. This phrase is often used to refer to the last three paragraphs of chapter 11 and is sometimes read at AA meetings. “Our book is meant to be suggestive only. We realize we know only a little. The Higher Power will constantly disclose more to you and to us. Ask Him in your morning meditation what you can do each day for the man who is still sick. The answers will come, if your own house is in order. But obviously you cannot transmit something you haven’t got. See to it that your relationship with Him is right, and great events will come to pass for you and countless others. This is the Great Fact for us. Abandon yourself to Higher Power as you understand Higher Power. Admit your faults to Him... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3374386 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:01:57 +0100 3374386 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3370683&cid=t_291415_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FRecoveryIsSexycom%2F%7E3%2FiNXOZa5ypII%2F ‘A vision for you’ is the title of chapter 11 of the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book. This phrase is often used to refer to the last three paragraphs of chapter 11 and is sometimes read at AA meetings. “Our book is meant to be suggestive only. We realize we know only a little. The Higher Power will constantly disclose more to you and to us. Ask Him in your morning meditation what you can do each day for the man who is still sick. The answers will come, if your own house is in order. But obviously you cannot transmit something you haven’t got. See to it that your relationship with Him is right, and great events will come to pass for you and countless others. This is the Great Fact for us. Abandon yourself to Higher Power as you understand Higher Power. Admit your faults to Him... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3370683 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:01:57 +0100 3370683 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3366438&cid=t_291415_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FRecoveryIsSexycom%2F%7E3%2FbKboQXuS1pw%2F Seek and yee shall find These Ten Pointers are a summary of the lifesaving directions to recovery from alcoholism given in ‘How It Works’, chapter 5 of Alcoholics Anonymous – the AA Big Book. Completely give yourself to this simple Program. Practice rigorous honesty. Be willing to go to any lengths to recover. Be fearless and thorough in your practice of the principles. Realize that there is no easier, softer way. Let go of your old ideas, absolutely. Recognize that half measures will not work. Ask a Higher Power’s protection and care with complete abandon. Be willing to grow along spiritual lines. Accept the following ideas: that you cannot manage your own life; that probably no human power can restore you to sanity; that A Higher Power can and will if sought. See also 12 Sp... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3366438 Sun, 14 Mar 2010 18:04:28 +0100 3366438 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2999860&cid=t_291415_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fa-b-c-of-recovery-from-alcoholism%2F The ABC’s of Recovery From a portion of Chapter 5 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. Our description of the alcoholic, the chapter to the agnostic, and our personal adventures before and after make clear three pertinent ideas: a) that we were alcoholic and could not manage our own lives; b) that probably no human power could have relieved our alcoholism; c) that God could and would if He were sought. See also 12-Step Speaker Tape Links The Dry Drunk Spiritual Health Blockages Related Reading: (Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com) Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2999860 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:10:07 +0100 2999860 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2096059&cid=t_291415_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2FmhLrgP46kdw%2F Thanks again to the folks at the AA History Lovers Group at Yahoo! There are far more than Twelve Promises written in the Big Book “Alcoholics Anonymous.” This is a listing of only those relating to the First Step (please, some may be a stretch - utilize, don’t analyze); First Step Promises: 1. How many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism. (Title page). 2. Who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. (foreword 1st edition xiii) 3. To show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered is the main purpose of this book. (foreword 1st edition xiii) 4. We are sure that our way of living has its advantages for all. (foreword 1st edition xiii) 5. Our earliest printing voiced the hope -that every alcoholic who journeys will find th... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2096059 Mon, 12 Jan 2009 06:15:01 +0100 2096059 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2095088&cid=t_291415_151_f&fid=35793&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thejunkyswife.com%2F2009%2F01%2Fto-wives.html "When resentful thoughts come, try to pause and count your blessings. After all, your family is reunited, alcohol is no longer a problem, and you and your husband are working together toward an undreamed-of future."-The Big Book of Alcoholics AnonymousThat's what I needed to hear. Someone on one of my latest Second Road post asked me if I'd read the chapters of the Big Book about the family, and so I got the book to read the chapters "To Wives" and "The Family Afterward."There's a bit we read at the end of our Nar-Anon meetings that came from the "Wives" chapter, and it's one of my favorites. It brought tears to my eyes to see it here: "We want to leave you with the feeling that no situation is too difficult and no unhappiness too great to be overcome." (Source: Heroin Addiction Codependen... Heroin Addiction Codependence blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2095088 Sun, 11 Jan 2009 01:34:00 +0100 2095088 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1826019&cid=t_291415_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2Fhjiqs48Cq8I%2F We’ll try to sell you on this… From the Original Manuscript; Our description of the alcoholic, the chapter to the agnostic, and our personal adventures before and after, have been designed to sell you three pertinent ideas: (a) That you are alcoholic and cannot manage your own life. (b) That probably no human power can relieve your alcoholism. (c) That God can and will. If you are not convinced on these vital issues, you ought to re-read the book to this point or else throw it away! That’s right - if you’re unconvinced, throw the book away! And we should practice stroking feathers in recovery? I doubt it. This is what we need to get straight; This is the how and why of it. First of all, quit playing God yourself. It doesn’t work. Next, decide that hereafter in... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1826019 Thu, 25 Sep 2008 02:26:44 +0100 1826019 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1734159&cid=t_291415_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2FnzqCwIXyrr8%2F I was just introduced to this resource today. It is not free and I am not an affiliate but it certainly seems as if it could be worthwhile to many. Therefore; The Little Big Book Dictionary “Made EXPRESSLY for use with “The Big Book” of A.A. Definitions do not necessarily translate for use with ‘The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions’ book of A.A. The Little Big Book Dictionary includes over 2,200 of the most difficult words, terms, and phrases found in The ‘Big Book’ of Alcoholics Anonymous. Providing text referenced definitions, simple phonic pronunciation guides, and page numbers for the included words. Sized to fit in the back of your Big Book. Includes many program ‘topical’ words. Designed for elementary to advanced education leve... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1734159 Tue, 26 Aug 2008 01:46:28 +0100 1734159 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1522346&cid=t_291415_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2F312812691%2F Discussion No. 3: Inventory and Restitution Part I then Inventory and Restitution Part II, and now, Inventory and Restitution Part III. *************************************** Step No. 10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. In coming into A.A. we usually will have a pretty big inventory to work on, as in Steps Four, Eight, and Nine. But even after that, we will not be perfect. We have a long way to go. We will continue to make mistakes and will be inclined to do some more wrong thinking and wrong doing. So at intervals, we continue to take inventory. Here the purpose is to check on our progress. We certainly cannot be perfect, so the need for regular inventory is apparent. These inventories are personal. We confine the inventory to ourselves. ... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1522346 Mon, 16 Jun 2008 06:15:11 +0100 1522346 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1478133&cid=t_291415_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2F300793984%2F Discussion No. 3: Inventory and Restitution Part I recently, and now, Inventory and Restitution Part II. *************************************** Step No. 8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. Under this step we will make a written* list of those we have harmed. We ask God to let his will be done, not our will, and ask for the strength and courage to become willing to forget resentments and false pride and make amends to those we have harmed. We must not do this step grudgingly, or as an unpleasant task to be rid of quickly. We must do it willingly, fairly, and humbly - - without condescension. *The original Detroit pamphlet said “a list (mental or written),” but the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions later made it clear tha... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1478133 Thu, 29 May 2008 21:05:40 +0100 1478133 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1463983&cid=t_291415_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2F296141468%2F This is now an old favorite! From pages 417 - 418; “For years I was sure the worst thing that could happen to a nice guy like me would be that I would turn out to be an alcoholic.” I actually did not give that much consideration in my drinking days. As much as there were a couple of folks who made some mention that I might have a problem with booze, no one ever came out bluntly, until Fr. Tom, and told me I was an alcoholic. They simply whined about my drinking or told me I ought to cut back. “Today I find it’s the best thing that has ever happened to me. This proves I don’t know what’s good for me.” Here comes the coup de grâce; “And if I don’t know what’s good for me, then I don’t know what’s good or bad for you or ... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1463983 Thu, 22 May 2008 22:35:56 +0100 1463983 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1454683&cid=t_291415_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2F293827477%2F If you sit in a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous and you hear anyone - ANYONE - share that they CHOSE not to drink alcohol in any way, shape or form, PASS THIS ON! Page 24; “The fact is that most alcoholics, for reasons yet obscure, have lost the power of choice in drink.” It doesn’t matter if they have 100 years sober in AA, tell them! If its you spreading the lie that you chose not to drink alcohol, stop it! Find some place else to go… or learn the truth… “We are without defense against the first drink.” Tags: 1st-step, aa, AA-big-book, alcoholics-anonymousShare This (Source: A Dozen Steps) A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1454683 Mon, 19 May 2008 23:03:59 +0100 1454683 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1450349&cid=t_291415_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2F117427733%2F Well, this first sentence has the promise of becoming long and a run-on eh? :) We’ve seen the First Step Promises, the Second Step Promises, , the Third Step Promises, and the Fourth Step Promises, now here are the Fifth Step Promises from the AA History Lovers Group at Yahoo! 1. In actual practice, we usually find a solitary self-appraisal insufficient. (72:2) 2. If we skip this vital step, we may not overcome drinking. (72:2) 3. They took inventory all right, but hung on to some of the worst items in stock. They only thought they had lost their egoism and fear; they only thought they had humbled themselves. But they had not learned enough of humility, fearlessness and honesty, in the sense we find it necessary, until they told someone else all their life story. (73:0) 4. We... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1450349 Sun, 18 May 2008 14:53:51 +0100 1450349 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1391204&cid=t_291415_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2F117013606%2F We’ve seen the First Step Promises, the Second Step Promises, , the Third Step Promises, now here are the Fourth Step Promises from the AA History Lovers Group at Yahoo! 1. Though our decision was a vital and crucial step, it could have little permanent effect unless at once followed by a strenuous effort to face, and to be rid of, the things in ourselves which had been blocking us. (64:0) 2. Our liquor was but a symptom. (64:0) 3. Resentment is the “number one” offender. It destroys more alcoholics than anything else. From it stem all forms of spiritual disease, for we have been not only mentally and physically ill, we have been spiritually sick. (64:3) 4. When the spiritual malady is overcome, we straighten out mentally and physically. (64:3) 5. Nothing count... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1391204 Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:04:52 +0100 1391204 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1352200&cid=t_291415_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2F264281223%2F Discussion No. 3: Inventory and Restitution (I) **************************************** Step No. 4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. The intent and purpose of this step is plain. All alcoholics have a definite need for a good self-analysis - - a sort of self-appraisal. Other people have certainly analyzed us, appraised us, criticized us and even judged us. It might be a good idea to judge ourselves, calmly and honestly. We need inventory because: Either our faults, weaknesses, defects of character, are the cause of our drinking, or our drinking has weakened our character and led us into all kinds of wrong action, wrong attitudes, wrong viewpoints. In either event we obviously need an inventory and the only kind of inventory to make is a good one. Moreover, t... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1352200 Fri, 04 Apr 2008 23:54:08 +0100 1352200 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1331504&cid=t_291415_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2F259155009%2F Conclusion We find that no one need have difficulty with the spiritual side of the program. Willingness, Honesty, and Open-Mindedness are the essentials of recovery. But these are indispensable. Tags: aa beginners, AA-big-book, alcoholics-anonymous, the-tablemateShare This (Source: A Dozen Steps) A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1331504 Thu, 27 Mar 2008 18:37:29 +0100 1331504 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1309109&cid=t_291415_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2F253264010%2F Discussion No. 2: The Spiritual Phase (II) (see part I) **************************************** Step No. 5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. 1. There is nothing new in this step. There are many sound reasons for “talking over our troubles out loud with others.” 2. The Catholic already has this medium readily available to him in the confessional. But - - the Catholic is at a disadvantage if he thinks his familiarity with confession permits him to think his part of A.A. is thereby automatically taken care of. He must, in confession, seriously consider his problems in relation to his alcoholic thinking. 3. The non-Catholic has the way open to work this step by going to his minister, his doctor, or his friend. 4. Under thi... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1309109 Mon, 17 Mar 2008 22:15:29 +0100 1309109 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1297880&cid=t_291415_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2F250135987%2F Perhaps I might sub-title this one “What step are you on?” I was 5 months away from my last drink (thru today) and still angry as he**. Of course, I was still pretty smart too, ya’ know? The anger tore at my insides though, so I went to Fr. Tom and asked him why I was still so angry. First word - First Step, I’d learned to ask for help. This is simply my personal experience. I’d been going to one meeting a week, at a group that had that sign posted on the basement wall “One meeting a week makes one weak.” Hey. What did I know? I thought I was doing something about my alcoholism, rank greenpea that I was. Sponsor? Naaah, Ill get around to it if I decide to stick around. I’m not drinking. Isn’t that good enough for you? So I ask Fr. Tom t... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1297880 Wed, 12 Mar 2008 13:51:25 +0100 1297880 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1296152&cid=t_291415_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2F249731955%2F See this from yesterday; “If his arrangements would only stay put, if only people would do as he wished, the show would be great. Everybody, including himself, would be pleased. Life would be wonderful.” Then, when the show doesn’t please the alcoholic mind “What Usually Happens?” “He begins to think life doesn’t treat him very well. He decides to exert himself more. He becomes, on the next occasion, still more demanding or gracious, as the case may be.” And the family will have to use their “computer eyes” to decipher what to expect - demanding or gracious, probably knowing intuitively that in some manner they’re being manipulated. They certainly know that none of this feels right or good. “Still the play does not suit him. Admitting he ... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1296152 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 21:06:51 +0100 1296152 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1291105&cid=t_291415_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2F248808460%2F Discussion No. 2: The Spiritual Phase **************************************** Step No. 2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. Our drinking experience has shown: 1. That as we strayed away from the normal social side of life, our minds became confused and we strayed away from the normal mental side of life. 2. An abnormal mental condition is certainly not sanity in the accepted sense of the word. We have acquired or developed a mental disease. Our study of A.A. shows that: a. In the mental or tangible side of life we have lost touch with, or ignored, or have forgotten the spiritual values that give us the dignity of man as differentiated from the animal. We have fallen back upon the material things of life and these have failed us. We have been... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1291105 Mon, 10 Mar 2008 11:06:19 +0100 1291105 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1278176&cid=t_291415_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2F245433870%2F I’m going to direct you to a page at the Alcoholics Anonymous web site where there are Twelve questions only you can answer relating to whether you may have a problem with booze… first though, from Alcoholics Anonymous; IS A.A. FOR YOU? Only you can decide whether you want to give A.A. a try — whether you think it can help you. “We who are in A.A. came because we finally gave up trying to control our drinking. We still hated to admit that we could never drink safely. Then we heard from other A.A. members that we were sick. (We thought so for years!) We found out that many people suffered from the same feelings of guilt and loneliness and hopelessness that we did. We found out that we had these feelings because we had the disease of alcoholism. We decided to try and face... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1278176 Tue, 04 Mar 2008 11:31:54 +0100 1278176 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1269661&cid=t_291415_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2F243574636%2F Conclusion 1. Alcoholics are suffering from a threefold disease, not only a physical illness. Fortunately, we in A.A. have learned how it may be controlled. (This will be shown in the next eleven steps of the program.) 2. We can also learn to be free from alcohol as a problem. 3. We can achieve a full and happy life without recourse to alcohol. Tags: aa beginners, AA-big-book, alcoholics-anonymous, the-tablemateShare This (Source: A Dozen Steps) A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1269661 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 22:40:09 +0100 1269661 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1252894&cid=t_291415_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fbills-story-on-the-web-at-youtube%2F This appears to be an almost exact recitation of his own story as found in chapter 1 of the book Alcoholics Anonymous. Bill W. was one of the co-founders of AA. Direct link at YouTube; Bill’s Story 01 When you get to YouTube you will see on the right column several more sections to Bill’s story. See also; Bill’s Story in the book ‘Alcoholics Anonymous’ AA Diversity           Bill W.: The absorbing and deeply moving life story of Bill Wilson, co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymousby Robert Thomsen Read more about this title… Subscribe to Recovery Is Sexy by Email (Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com) Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1252894 Sun, 24 Feb 2008 12:32:12 +0100 1252894 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1251834&cid=t_291415_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2F240041378%2F Especially for a powerful negative thinker… “Mysterious Paradoxes” The Daily Reflection for Feb., 23rd. “Such is the paradox of A.A. regeneration: strength arising out of complete defeat and weakness, the loss of one’s old life as a condition for finding a new one.” A.A. Comes Of Age, p. 46 “What glorious mysteries paradoxes are!” Really? Not to a negative thinker… like I was. “They do not compute, yet when recognized and accepted, they reaffirm something in the universe beyond human logic.” Where’s Spock when I need him? Did you have a scientific, analytical mind like me? “When I face a fear, I am given courage; when I support a brother or sister, my capacity to love myself is increased; when I accept pain as pa... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1251834 Sat, 23 Feb 2008 19:01:31 +0100 1251834 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1247968&cid=t_291415_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2F238787094%2F Discussion #1: The Admission. Why Does An Alcoholic Drink? Having decided that we are alcoholics, it is well to consider what competent mental doctors consider as the reasons why an alcoholic drinks: 1. As an escape from situations of life which he cannot face. 2. As evidence of a maladjusted personality (including sexual maladjustments). 3. As a development from social drinking to pathological drinking. 4. As a symptom of a major abnormal mental state. 5. As an escape from incurable physical pain. 6. As a symptom of constitutional inferiority - - a psychopathic personality. For example, an individual who drinks because he likes alcohol, knows he cannot handle it, but does not care. 7. Many times one cannot determine any great and glaring mechanism as the basis of why the drinker drinks,... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1247968 Thu, 21 Feb 2008 13:14:36 +0100 1247968 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1231956&cid=t_291415_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2F234967192%2F For the meeting you’ll be sitting in for the next hour? This is from “The AA Group: Where It All Begins” pages 11 and 12; Background for many topic meetings derives from A.A. literature, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (Big Book), Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, As Bill Sees It, Daily Reflections, and from the A.A. Grapevine. A few specific topic suggestions may include: • attitude • defects of character • fear • freedom through sobriety • gratitude • higher power • honesty • humility • making amends • resentments • sponsorship • surrender • the tools of recovery • tolerance • willingness Now, even I have gotten into a bad habit, one which I think needs to change now. The chairperson asks for a topic, anything on your mind affecting your sobriety, a... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1231956 Thu, 14 Feb 2008 13:58:03 +0100 1231956 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1230405&cid=t_291415_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2F234769405%2F That he read the Second Step and then let me know how “we” had so often prayed - wrongly. Well - at least he read the Step :) “In no deep or meaningful sense had we ever taken stock of ourselves, made amends to those we had harmed, or freely given to any other human being without any demand for reward.” Eventually I took stock to discover that I had worked on a “reward system” my whole life. With a foundation of expectations, hidden expectations, I was always ready to help - for a reason. And that reason was a reward. Material or emotional made no difference. “Look at me!” “Pay attention to me!” “Praise me!” “See me as worthy!” “Like me…” and so many others. All of which was so very fleeti... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1230405 Thu, 14 Feb 2008 05:11:12 +0100 1230405 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1223762&cid=t_291415_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2F233413860%2F Taking the queue from today’s Daily Reflection - “The Limits of Self-Reliance” which leads us to page 68 in the BB; “We reviewed our fears thoroughly. We put them on paper, even though we had no resentment in connection with them. We asked ourselves why we had them. Wasn’t it because self-reliance failed us?” I had been taught, by those who did not know, that if I wanted something done right, I had to do it myself. Little did they realize I had no clue how to do things right! But I did it again and again… “Self-reliance was good as far as it went, but it didn’t go far enough. Some of us once had great self-confidence, but it didn’t fully solve the fear problem, or any other. When it made us cocky, it was worse.” I must have ... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1223762 Mon, 11 Feb 2008 23:17:49 +0100 1223762 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1221329&cid=t_291415_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2F232982124%2F Because there is “One who has all power,” I can look back today and believe that on the day I came strolling in to Alcoholics Anonymous God had opened the gates of hell and LET ME OUT!!! A free man… a free child of His… and I will be forever grateful. This picture was taken a “number” of years ago lol. You’d never know, unless you’re here, how well I clean up :) but I have. Nope, don’t quite look like that anymore. Can you believe that, until recently, I was wearing some really nice Hart Schaffner and Marx suits to work? Miracles. God works miracles… Oh, btw, I’m the one waaaaay in the back by the tree (haha). Oh, and this is St. Patrick’s Day, 2002 in Savannah. My best friend and I had gotten new ink the day before. ... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1221329 Mon, 11 Feb 2008 06:49:35 +0100 1221329 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1207812&cid=t_291415_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2F230103819%2F Part I spoke of; “In order to determine whether or not a person had drifted from “social drinking” into pathological drinking it is well to check over a list of test questions, which each member may ask himself and answer for himself.” These are the suggested 10 20 35 questions; 1. Do you require a drink the next morning? 2. Do you prefer a drink alone? 3. Do you lose time from work due to drinking? 4. Is your drinking harming your family in any way? 5. Do you crave a drink at a definite time daily? 6. Do you get the inner shakes unless you continue drinking? 7. Has drinking made you irritable? 8. Does drinking make you careless of your family’s welfare? 9. Have you harmed your husband or wife since drinking? 10. Has drinking changed your personality? 11. Does drinkin... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1207812 Wed, 06 Feb 2008 06:36:40 +0100 1207812 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1207814&cid=t_291415_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2F229193122%2F I’ve heard it said “If you pray, don’t worry. If you worry, don’t pray.” Now I don’t know about that but… Once again, from Came to Believe; Heard At Meetings “Many people pray as though to overcome the will of a reluctant God, instead of taking hold of the willingness of a loving God.” Wow - oh heck yeah… “It is wise to pray for the future, but not to worry about it, because we can’t live it until it becomes the present. The depth of our anxiety measures the distance we are from God.” And I was taught that if God seemed farther away, I ought to check who really moved. “If we have the opportunity to help in some practical way when our loved ones or other people we are concerned about are in trouble - let&#82... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1207814 Mon, 04 Feb 2008 23:07:29 +0100 1207814 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1200429&cid=t_291415_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2F228889642%2F Came to Believe - That a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity… And - so obviously, reach directly into our hearts! :) (that is, if you’re a Giants fan - sorry JJ) From the synopsis in our 12&12, Contents, page 5; Step Two What can we believe in? A.A. does not demand belief; Twelve Steps are only suggestions. Thought - for me, my mind had been so entrenched with the belief system I had when I walked in to AA that, today, I know I was doomed to continue to drink, to the death, unless it changed. Thank God it did… Importance of an open mind. Mine was shut solid. It took an Act of Providence to open it up. Variety of ways to faith. Years of bitterness and hurt eroded away - first into understanding, then into belief that what happened was best. Truth i... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1200429 Mon, 04 Feb 2008 13:23:28 +0100 1200429 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1198055&cid=t_291415_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2F228530053%2F And then I’ll be back… Meanwhile, this is where my heart is; And this is what my brain tells me; Tags: aa beginners, AA-big-book, alcoholics-anonymous, powerlessShare This (Source: A Dozen Steps) A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1198055 Sun, 03 Feb 2008 20:38:55 +0100 1198055 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1196768&cid=t_291415_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2F227989311%2F Discussion No. 1. The Admission. Step No. 1. Discussion No. 2. The Spiritual Phase. Steps 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 11. Discussion No. 3. The Inventory and Restitution. Steps No. 4, 8, 9 and 10. Discussion No. 4. The Active Work. Step No. 12. Discussion No. 1. The Admission “We admitted we were powerless over alcohol - - that our lives had become unmanageable.” [This instruction is not a short-cut to A.A. It is an introduction - - a help - - a brief course in the fundamentals.] In order to determine whether or not a person had drifted from “social drinking” into pathological drinking it is well to check over a list of test questions, which each member may ask himself and answer for himself. We must answer once and for all these three puzzling questions : What is an alcohol... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1196768 Sat, 02 Feb 2008 20:08:39 +0100 1196768 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1195943&cid=t_291415_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2F227652055%2F Bill W. – Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, pg. 232 “There are those [who] predict that A.A. may well become a new spearhead for a spiritual awakening throughout the world. When our friends say these things, they are both generous and sincere. But we of A.A. must reflect that such a tribute and such a prophecy could well prove to be a heady drink for most of us – that is, if we really came to believe this to be the real purpose of A.A., and if we commenced to behave accordingly. Our Society, therefore, will prudently cleave to its single purpose: the carrying of the message to the alcoholic who still suffers. Let us resist the proud assumption that since God has enabled us to do well in one area we are destined to be a channel of saving grace for everybody.” It would be my persona... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1195943 Sat, 02 Feb 2008 05:04:32 +0100 1195943 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1191473&cid=t_291415_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2F226725935%2F I have a good idea why this poem is titled “Investment Counsel.” From “Living Sober“ we are given some insight into what might be wise things to spend a few dollars/cents on in early sobriety… In the first few weeks without a drink When the wolf is at the door, And the sheriff’s at the window And you’re sleeping on the floor, And life looks bleak and hopeless From a monetary angle, It’s time to spend, in certain ways, To solve the awful tangle: That token or that bus fare To get you to a meeting, That dime (?) to use the telephone For that necessary greeting, That nickel (?) for “expenses” That makes you feel you matter, That dollar for the coffee shop For after-meeting chatter. All these are wise investments For the neophyte to m... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1191473 Thu, 31 Jan 2008 19:10:16 +0100 1191473 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1179292&cid=t_291415_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2F80799823%2F Thanks again to the folks at the AA History Lovers Group at Yahoo! There are far more than Twelve Promises written in the Big Book “Alcoholics Anonymous.” This is a listing of only those relating to the First Step (please, some may be a stretch - utilize, don’t analyze); First Step Promises: 1. How many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism. (Title page). 2. Who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. (foreword 1st edition xiii) 3. To show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered is the main purpose of this book. (foreword 1st edition xiii) 4. We are sure that our way of living has its advantages for all. (foreword 1st edition xiii) 5. Our earliest printing voiced the hope -that every alcoholic who journeys will find th... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1179292 Sat, 26 Jan 2008 00:34:53 +0100 1179292 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1152690&cid=t_291415_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2F217028519%2F Now on page 567; II - Spiritual Experience “The terms ’spiritual experience’ and ’spiritual awakening’ are used many times in this book which upon careful reading, shows that the personality change sufficient to bring about recovery from alcoholism has manifested itself among us in many different forms.” My best friend and I were having a discussion about recovery yesterday (which we do on a daily basis). Lonnie has 11 years and is in the phase where some things he witnesses exasperate him. Understandable, to me. In this specific instance, I’ve seen it now for years. It has become “normal” to have the awareness that one of the best kept secrets in Alcoholics Anonymous is our Big Book. Folks simply don’t read it. The challenge? T... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1152690 Tue, 15 Jan 2008 13:25:20 +0100 1152690 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=730624&cid=t_291415_151_f&fid=35799&url=http%3A%2F%2F12steps1journey.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F06%2Ftwelve-step-podcasts.html I've been finding some of the available twelve step podcasts really helpful:Sobercasting.org: http://www.sobercasting.org/12 step podcast blog: http://12steppodcast.blogspot.com/This one also has links to other twelve step podcast Web sites and blogs.AA just for today: http://www.aajustfortoday.org/If you find additional podcasts, feel free to add them as a comment to this post if you would like to share them.FYI - I find it easier to access twelve step podcasts through my iTunes program. That way I can subscribe to the podcasts I want and they will update automatically with new downloads. Search for "twelve step", "12 step" and "recovery" in the iTunes store that you access through your iTunes program. There are some great ones out there like Joe and Charlie's AA Big Book study workshop. ... Twelve Steps, One Journey blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=730624 Wed, 20 Jun 2007 21:22:00 +0100 730624