August 16 | Steps In Action Alcoholics Anonymous

August 16 | Steps In Action Alcoholics Anonymous



DonInLondon ~ Step five chair last night, all about sharing our life story with another human being and our higher power. It is part of clearing the wreckage of the past, making room for new beginnings. Romance and finance are big in our lives. Romance and heart break a part of living, to love, and be loved. Finance, needs met, wants forgotten. These elements of life, always confounding and better approached with a sober head and open heart today...

How am I feeling? Okay in myself. Why? Today I have freedom to choose. What am I going to do? Live in the moment, my intention is to deal with every encounter fairly, be open to change, and say no emphatically to anything which is not good for me. An emphatic no is better than a half-hearted yes...

August 2008 ~ 2010

Yes I had dropped out. In isolation back then and powerless over anything, and trying to fix the emptiness, no real choices, broken. To now, involved and included with choices each day, equal and now the same size and rights as all humans. Inclusion: with rights and responsibilities. To love, be loved and useful always just for today

Amends and living... "Life is difficult" M Scott Peck. As we learn from experience in recovery, what strength and hope may be in our lives, "difficult" becomes a fact and not an obstacle; it becomes the nature of living in the moment. We are part of this universe, joyful or sad we are connected, forgive, live and cherish always...
-/-

AA Daily Reflections ~ "August 16 "I had dropped out..." We might next ask ourselves what we mean when we say that we have “harmed” other people. What kinds of “harm” do people do one another, anyway? To define the word “harm” in a practical way, we might call it the result of instincts in collision, which cause physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual damage to people. [12&12]

I had been to Eighth Step meetings, always thinking, “I really haven’t harmed many people, mostly myself.” But the time came when I wrote my list out and it was not as short as I thought it would be. I either liked you, disliked you, or needed something from you – it was that simple. People hadn’t done what I wanted them to do and intimate relationships were out of hand because of my partners unreasonable demands. Were these “sins of omission”? Because of my drinking, I had “dropped out” – never sending cards, returning calls, being there for other people, or taking part in their lives. What a grace it has been to look at these relationships, to make my inventories in quiet, alone with the God of my understanding, and to go forth daily, with a willingness to be honest and forthright in my relationships."
-/-
Spiritual principles to live life "real" ~ "Forgiveness" "Acceptance" "Surrender" "Faith" "Open-mindedness" "Honesty" "Willingness" "Moral-inventory" "Amends" "Humility" "Persistence" "Spiritual-growth" "Service"

"Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all."

~ From 12Step.org

Step 8 is the beginning of making amends, of healing the past with others. From the inventory of Step 4, I have a good starting place for making a list of people that I have harmed. I look over my personal inventory and possibly reflect on my life again. I make a list of the people that I have harmed. I can write down thoughts beside each name about what the appropriate amends might be. I then go through the list and make sure I am willing in my heart to make the amends.
-/-

~ From A.A. COMES OF AGE

"The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.The A.A. Steps & Traditions are neither rules, regulations, nor laws. Perhaps the secret of their power lies in the fact that these life-giving communications spring out of living experience and are rooted in love." ~ "We find it amazing that the newcomer can start the A.A. program without any specific beliefs or, for that matter, without any beliefs whatsoever. All a person needs is the open-mindedness and the willingness to believe that WE BELIEVE this program works..."
-/-
DonInLondon, Life Works, Alcoholics Anonymous, AA 12 Steps, 12 Steps AA, Addiction And Recovery, Addict, Alcoholic, Alcoholism
August 15 | Steps In Action Alcoholics Anonymous



~ DonInLondon

How am I feeling? Good in myself, but... discombobulated by last night. Why? One or two were in judgmental mode in my fellowship meeting, and held opinions about their worthiness to be alcoholics with dire experiences. What can I do? I can say I am an alcoholic in recovery. A rock bottom is a rock bottom and anyone who finds sobriety, emotionally and spiritually is okay with me...

A desire to stop drinking is the only requirement. When I hear people judge others as "non alcoholics" I do shudder inside. We are non professional, and there are no rules, laws or regulations in AA fellowship. It is hard enough to step into a meeting to find out what we are. The burden of proof is always with the individual and if we say we are in, we are in AA fellowship...

August 2008 ~ 2010

Step 8, Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all... Harm we did, not harm they did, willingness for me became more obvious in the amends I felt unable to make, and then become willing. Each amends as potent as any other as we learn to cherish always in the moment of now...

Amends we make just for today... Sometimes we may feel the amends is done, in my experience our living amend is constant in the way we change our attitude and behaviour as encounter old and new situations, as we have made the list of people harmed and become willing, our daily endeavours show us and others the way...
-/-

AA Daily Reflections ~ "August 15: Didn't we hurt anybody? Some of us, though, tripped over a very different snag. We clung to the claim that when drinking we never hurt anybody but ourselves. [12&12]

This Step seemed so simple. I identified several people whom I had harmed, but they were no longer available. Still, I was uneasy about the Step and avoided conversations dealing with it. In time I learned to investigate those Steps and areas of my life which made me uncomfortable. My search revealed my parents, who had been deeply hurt by my isolation from them; my employer, who worried about my absences, my memory lapses, my temper; and the friends I had shunned, without explanation. As I faced the reality of the harm I had done, Step Eight took on a new meaning. I am no longer uncomfortable and I feel clean and light."

-/-

Spiritual principles to live life "real" ~ "Forgiveness" "Acceptance" "Surrender" "Faith" "Open-mindedness" "Honesty" "Willingness" "Moral-inventory" "Amends" "Humility" "Persistence" "Spiritual-growth" "Service"

"Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all."

~ From 12Step.org

Step 8 is the beginning of making amends, of healing the past with others. From the inventory of Step 4, I have a good starting place for making a list of people that I have harmed. I look over my personal inventory and possibly reflect on my life again. I make a list of the people that I have harmed. I can write down thoughts beside each name about what the appropriate amends might be. I then go through the list and make sure I am willing in my heart to make the amends.
-/-

~ From A.A. COMES OF AGE

"The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.The A.A. Steps & Traditions are neither rules, regulations, nor laws. Perhaps the secret of their power lies in the fact that these life-giving communications spring out of living experience and are rooted in love." ~ "We find it amazing that the newcomer can start the A.A. program without any specific beliefs or, for that matter, without any beliefs whatsoever. All a person needs is the open-mindedness and the willingness to believe that WE BELIEVE this program works..."
-/-
DonInLondon, Life Works, Alcoholics Anonymous, AA 12 Steps, 12 Steps AA, Addiction And Recovery, Addict, Alcoholic, Alcoholism
August 14 | Steps In Action Alcoholics Anonymous



DonInLondon Amends take time. An amend to self, accepting I need make every amend I can to those I have harmed emotionally, and any other where restitution is key. It is my 55th birthday today, and few years older than I would have been had I carried on drinking. Yesterday, being part of fellowship and sharing, and today chatting with family by phone. Amends take many forms, learning to love, be loved back and useful in the moment of now...

August 2008 ~ 2010

Repairing the damage... we did not know it was self will run riot, self-obsession, or obsession about people, places and things. And there was denial too, as we self-harmed, we were open to harm done by others as well as love from others. As we live the steps, right people and right places become part of our lives today

Amends as we may just for today... as we live and practice the steps, the right people, places and things remain in our lives, as do the new right people, places and things. Amends can be inclusion or letting go. No more hanging on to grudges or righteous resentments, forgiveness is always key today...
-/-

AA Daily Reflections ~ "Step 8 Daily Reflections August 14: Repairing the damage ~ We attempt to sweep away the debris which has accumulated out of our effort to live on self-will and run the show ourselves. If we haven’t the will to do this, we ask until it comes. Remember it was agreed at the beginning we would go to any lengths for victory over alcohol. [AA big book]

Making a list of people I had harmed was not a particularly difficult thing to do. They had showed up in my Fourth Step inventory: people towards whom I had resentments, real or imagined, and whom I had hurt by acts of retaliation. For my recovery to be thorough, I believed it was not important for those who had legitimately harmed me to make amends to me. What is important in my relationship with God is that I stand before Him, knowing I have done what I can to repair the damage I have done."
-/-

Spiritual principles to live life "real" ~ "Forgiveness" "Acceptance" "Surrender" "Faith" "Open-mindedness" "Honesty" "Willingness" "Moral-inventory" "Amends" "Humility" "Persistence" "Spiritual-growth" "Service"

"Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all."

~ From 12Step.org

Step 8 is the beginning of making amends, of healing the past with others. From the inventory of Step 4, I have a good starting place for making a list of people that I have harmed. I look over my personal inventory and possibly reflect on my life again. I make a list of the people that I have harmed. I can write down thoughts beside each name about what the appropriate amends might be. I then go through the list and make sure I am willing in my heart to make the amends.
-/-

~ From A.A. COMES OF AGE

"The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.The A.A. Steps & Traditions are neither rules, regulations, nor laws. Perhaps the secret of their power lies in the fact that these life-giving communications spring out of living experience and are rooted in love." ~ "We find it amazing that the newcomer can start the A.A. program without any specific beliefs or, for that matter, without any beliefs whatsoever. All a person needs is the open-mindedness and the willingness to believe that WE BELIEVE this program works..."
-/-
DonInLondon, Life Works, Alcoholics Anonymous, AA 12 Steps, 12 Steps AA, Addiction And Recovery, Addict, Alcoholic, Alcoholism
August 13 | Steps In Action Alcoholics Anonymous



~ DonInLondon The sin of omission: Tell, don’t tell. Anonymity helped me find the truth of who I am in fellowship. Sacrosanct, anonymity works in the rooms, an umbrella of confidentiality. In living my life, secrets will keep me stuck, and leave me open to every character defect. Open, honest and willing I have nothing to hide. With courage, faith and confidence, the right people are in my life today…

Down the generations we learn from history, sometimes good and sometimes bad. A child learns from parents how to live. "The virtues and the sins." As we learn in recovery, it is what we do today which makes the difference. So important to know we learn the difference if we are able, open honest and willing with 12 principles. Practice to make progress: from ignorance to denial and then acceptance. Forgive always...

Wonderful lunch time meeting: I forgave my Dad everything long ago, and was reminded how blighted his life had been. War, orphan, badly treated, he never found peace until his last days in 1991. I had a long way to go before I found recovery... helped by so many, gratitude and cherish always

August 2008 ~ 2010

A clean sweep, from our fearless moral inventory in step 4, in step 8 & 9, we find those we need make amends to, immediately, when we can and to those we cannot. Step 8 sometimes is a clean sweep, in my experience more is revealed as time goes by, and my wisdom to make amends is tempered with growing wisdom today...

A clean sweep not just for today, it is every day with step 10! Living in the now, in recovery we learn the difference between natural feelings, and welcome reactions and the need to consider our response to events and experiences. Self will run riot? It can be, and hopefully less so in the moment, less harm done to you or me, acceptance is today...
-/-

AA Daily Reflections ~ "Step 8 Daily Reflections August 13: A clean sweep... and third, having thus cleared away the debris of the past, we consider how, with our newfound knowledge of ourselves, we may develop the best possible relations with every human being we know. [12&12]

As I faced the Eighth Step, everything that was required for successful completion of the previous seven Steps came together: courage, honesty, sincerity, willingness and thoroughness. I could not muster the strength required for this task at the beginning, which is why this Step reads “Became willing. . .”I needed to develop the courage to begin, the honesty to see where I was wrong, a sincere desire to set things right, thoroughness in making a list, and willingness to take the risks required for true humility. With the help of my Higher Power in developing these virtues, I completed this Step and continued to move forward in my quest for spiritual growth."

Spiritual principles to live life "real" ~ "Forgiveness" "Acceptance" "Surrender" "Faith" "Open-mindedness" "Honesty" "Willingness" "Moral-inventory" "Amends" "Humility" "Persistence" "Spiritual-growth" "Service"

"Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all."

~ From 12Step.org

Step 8 is the beginning of making amends, of healing the past with others. From the inventory of Step 4, I have a good starting place for making a list of people that I have harmed. I look over my personal inventory and possibly reflect on my life again. I make a list of the people that I have harmed. I can write down thoughts beside each name about what the appropriate amends might be. I then go through the list and make sure I am willing in my heart to make the amends.
-/-

~ From A.A. COMES OF AGE

"The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.The A.A. Steps & Traditions are neither rules, regulations, nor laws. Perhaps the secret of their power lies in the fact that these life-giving communications spring out of living experience and are rooted in love." ~ "We find it amazing that the newcomer can start the A.A. program without any specific beliefs or, for that matter, without any beliefs whatsoever. All a person needs is the open-mindedness and the willingness to believe that WE BELIEVE this program works..."
-/-
DonInLondon, Life Works, Alcoholics Anonymous, AA 12 Steps, 12 Steps AA, Addiction And Recovery, Addict, Alcoholic, Alcoholism
August 12 | Steps In Action Alcoholics Anonymous



DonInLondon ~ A wonderful experience last night, after eight meeting. How to love, be loved and useful. Seeing friends, being with people who understand what its like on our first day, thirty and forty years later, life is in the moment and just for today... I feel happy and humble...

Morning meditations. I am alive and breathing, check my situation as a type 1 diabetic, blood sugar levels and insulin requirements. Daily meditations starts with, step one, two and three, "freedom to choose, sane enough right now, let go and let good happen, and serenity prayer, can do cannot do. At bedtime, gratitude for and anything disturbing me? Usually me and my attitudes...

August 12 2008 ~ 2010

Look back don't stare, as we move on to the maintenance steps, 10 11 12. Step 8 our list of amends and willingness to make them. As we look at harm done by us, we need reflect the steps are not for judging harm done to us. The gift, understanding our part in all matters, our side of the street clean, what others do is their business...

Making amends not just for today. The living amend to self is recovery and spiritual progress as each of us understands, a personal view. Our thorough and fearless inventory, and time illuminates more to do and less to do, more open, honest and willing. When I falter, I share and listen for experience strength and hope today...

-/-

AA Daily Reflections August 12 ~ Look backward... First, we take a look backward and try to discover where we have been at fault; next we make a vigorous attempt to repair the damage we have done [12&12]

As a traveller on a fresh and exciting A.A. journey of recovery, I experienced a newfound peace of mind and the horizon appeared clear and bright, rather than obscure and dim. Reviewing my life to discover where I had been at fault seemed to be such an arduous and dangerous task. It was painful to pause and look backward. I was afraid I might stumble! Couldn't I put the past out of my mind and just live in my new golden present? I realized that those in the past whom I had harmed stood between me and my desire to continue my movement toward serenity. I had to ask for courage to face those persons from my life who still lived in my conscience, to recognize and deal with the guilt that their presence produced in me. I had to look at the damage I had done, and become willing to make amends. Only then could my journey of the spirit resume."

-/-

Spiritual principles to live life "real" ~ "Forgiveness" "Acceptance" "Surrender" "Faith" "Open-mindedness" "Honesty" "Willingness" "Moral-inventory" "Amends" "Humility" "Persistence" "Spiritual-growth" "Service"

"Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all."

From 12Step.org

"Step 8 is the beginning of making amends, of healing the past with others. From the inventory of Step 4, I have a good starting place for making a list of people that I have harmed. I look over my personal inventory and possibly reflect on my life again. I make a list of the people that I have harmed. I can write down thoughts beside each name about what the appropriate amends might be. I then go through the list and make sure I am willing in my heart to make the amends."
-/-

From A.A. COMES OF AGE

"The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. The A.A. Steps & Traditions are neither rules, regulations, nor laws. Perhaps the secret of their power lies in the fact that these life-giving communications spring out of living experience and are rooted in love." ~ "We find it amazing that the newcomer can start the A.A. program without any specific beliefs or, for that matter, without any beliefs whatsoever. All a person needs is the open-mindedness and the willingness to believe that WE BELIEVE this program works..."
-/-
DonInLondon, Life Works, Alcoholics Anonymous, AA 12 Steps, 12 Steps AA, Addiction And Recovery, Addict, Alcoholic, Alcoholism
Step Eight | Alcoholics Anonymous |

DonInLondon Step Eight Video Reading



A wonderful experience tonight, after eight meeting. How to love, be loved and useful. Seeing friends, being with people who understand what its like on our first day, thirty and forty years later, life is in the moment and just for today... I feel happy and humble...

Expression of feelings... open, honest and willing to let out the pain of the past? That was then and this is now. If we are to express our feelings genuinely and authentically in the day, we need find acceptance of back then, or we drag the past into the present and risk the "same old same old" in the future, progress daily

August 11 2008 ~ 2010

Expression of feelings... open, honest and willing to let out the pain of the past? That was then and this is now. If we are to express our feelings genuinely and authentically in the day, we need find acceptance of back then, or we drag the past into the present and risk the "same old same old" in the future, progress daily

Let go anger one day at a time... Less fixing and more living in the moment, occasions happen where old feelings rise up in daily experiences. Letting go is recognising the impact of today’s events, accepting we need change our responses rather than reacting in the same old ways. If I don't see it, you do, tell me today...

-/-

AA Daily Reflections ~ "Step eight "removing the ground glass...”: The moral inventory is a cool examination of the damages that occurred to us during life and a sincere effort to look at them in a true perspective. This has the effect of taking the ground glass out of us, the emotional substance that still cuts and inhibits. [as Bill sees it...]

My Eighth Step list used to drag me into a whirlpool of resentment. After four years of sobriety, I was blocked by denial connected with an on-going abusive relationship. The argument between fear and pride eased as the words of the Step moved from my head to my heart. For the first time in years I opened my box of paints and poured out an honest rage, an explosion of reds and blacks and yellows. As I looked at the drawing, tears of joy and relief flowed down my cheeks. In my disease, I had given up my art, a self-inflicted punishment far greater than any imposed from outside. In my recovery, I learned that the pain of my defects is the very substance God uses to cleanse my character and to set me free."

-/-

Spiritual principles to live life "real" ~ "Forgiveness" "Acceptance" "Surrender" "Faith" "Open-mindedness" "Honesty" "Willingness" "Moral-inventory" "Amends" "Humility" "Persistence" "Spiritual-growth" "Service"

"Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all."

From 12Step.org

Step 8 is the beginning of making amends, of healing the past with others. From the inventory of Step 4, I have a good starting place for making a list of people that I have harmed. I look over my personal inventory and possibly reflect on my life again. I make a list of the people that I have harmed. I can write down thoughts beside each name about what the appropriate amends might be. I then go through the list and make sure I am willing in my heart to make the amends.
-/-

From A.A. COMES OF AGE

"The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.The A.A. Steps & Traditions are neither rules, regulations, nor laws. Perhaps the secret of their power lies in the fact that these life-giving communications spring out of living experience and are rooted in love." ~ "We find it amazing that the newcomer can start the A.A. program without any specific beliefs or, for that matter, without any beliefs whatsoever. All a person needs is the open-mindedness and the willingness to believe that WE BELIEVE this program works..."
-/-
DonInLondon, Life Works, Alcoholics Anonymous, AA 12 Steps, 12 Steps AA, Addiction And Recovery, Addict, Alcoholic, Alcoholism
August 10 | Steps In Action Alcoholics Anonymous



DonInLondon ~ The high ground of arrogance, something I cannot afford. Shouting down and putting down. A politicians thin veneer wears off as a torrent of anger spews in every sentence. I was never like that? In our own heads we will have felt that way. Sober and level headed, we are less prone to outbursts and even feeling that way. When we leave people to rot, rotten things happen...

It's all your fault! Blame, blame and more blame. They did it, if you hadn't, then I had to. Politicians last night on the riots. Beligerent denial, in the grip of righteousness. Establish law and order, and they too feel anger and resentment. The conservative cries out, then gets angry, talks down, feels he gets away with it, accusing another as mealy mouthed. A violent verbal assualt, an example of not getting his own way... denial of reality

August 10 2008 ~ 2010

At my worst I was doing my best, at their worst they are doing their best! I need find forgiveness for my worst efforts in living, especially when in the iron grip of an "ism" or addiction I had lost my choices in living. I need forgive everyone everything, accept the consequences of actions even when exclusion may happen today...

Amends made one day at a time, our daily amend is recovery our gift to self and everyone we meet today. Recovery is freedom to be honest open and willing to change. We will make mistakes and sometimes pay a high price, as we admit, learn and gain wisdom, our shared experiences enrich us and everyone today...
-/-

AA Daily Reflections ~ "August 10 AA Daily Reflections : Redoubling our efforts ~ To a degree, he has already done this when taking moral inventory, but now the time has come when he ought to
redouble his efforts to see how many people he had hurt, and in what ways. [12&12]

As I continue to grow in sobriety, I become more aware of myself as a person of worth. In the process, I am better able to see others as persons, and with this comes the realization that these were people whom I had hurt in my drinking days. I didn't just lie, I lied about Tom. I didn't just cheat, I cheated Joe. What were seemingly impersonal acts, were really personal affronts, because it was people - people of worth - whom I had harmed. I need to do something about the people I have hurt so that I may enjoy a peaceful sobriety."

-/-

Spiritual principles to live life "real" ~ "Forgiveness" "Acceptance" "Surrender" "Faith" "Open-mindedness" "Honesty" "Willingness" "Moral-inventory" "Amends" "Humility" "Persistence" "Spiritual-growth" "Service"

"Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all."

- From 12Step.org

Step 8 is the beginning of making amends, of healing the past with others. From the inventory of Step 4, I have a good starting place for making a list of people that I have harmed. I look over my personal inventory and possibly reflect on my life again. I make a list of the people that I have harmed. I can write down thoughts beside each name about what the appropriate amends might be. I then go through the list and make sure I am willing in my heart to make the amends.
-/-

From A.A. COMES OF AGE

"The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.The A.A. Steps & Traditions are neither rules, regulations, nor laws. Perhaps the secret of their power lies in the fact that these life-giving communications spring out of living experience and are rooted in love." ~ "We find it amazing that the newcomer can start the A.A. program without any specific beliefs or, for that matter, without any beliefs whatsoever. All a person needs is the open-mindedness and the willingness to believe that WE BELIEVE this program works..."
-/-
DonInLondon, Life Works, Alcoholics Anonymous, AA 12 Steps, 12 Steps AA, Addiction And Recovery, Addict, Alcoholic, Alcoholism
August 9 | Steps In Action Alcoholics Anonymous

DonInLondon ~ On a positive note, Thank God I am sober



Riots in London. A breakdown in law and order. Anger and resentment, loss of reason and insanity rules. Why? The answers will come in time. Most of us know the answers, and many just cannot accept them. If we do not invest in people, people will likely divest those privileged in a broken society. Weak leadership, process driven, reliant on "the establishment," out of touch and out of sight need a kick up the arse...

I can recall working hard and putting every effort into my work. Driven beyond reason to sustain the unsustainable. Job cuts, sell off and no guarantees of a future. I did what I always did, found another job to start. It looked bigger and better, and turned out to be more of the same. A breakdown, loss of purpose and no identity, I sought oblivion and wanted to end it all. Drink helped me on my way to hell back then...

August 9 2010 ~ Before I go to bed at night, I forgive everyone and everything who has ever harmed me... Much easier after step 9 in our programme and after a while of practicing the steps. But if the resentment still lingers, I say "fuck em" and then pray for them and eventually forgiveness finds its way. Progress not perfect today...

August 9 2010 ~ This matter of honesty everyday... Upon waking, my daily practice, is ask myself how am I feeling, then think why, then what may I do. If I try deny my feelings, I start my day dishonestly. What I do is reflect and meditate, see the big picture, remind myself of steps 1 to 3, serenity prayer. I can do this anytime of day...
-/-


Spiritual principles to live life "real" ~ "Forgiveness" "Acceptance" "Surrender" "Faith" "Open-mindedness" "Honesty" "Willingness" "Moral-inventory" "Amends" "Humility" "Persistence" "Spiritual-growth" "Service"

"Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all."

- From 12Step.org

Step 8 is the beginning of making amends, of healing the past with others. From the inventory of Step 4, I have a good starting place for making a list of people that I have harmed. I look over my personal inventory and possibly reflect on my life again. I make a list of the people that I have harmed. I can write down thoughts beside each name about what the appropriate amends might be. I then go through the list and make sure I am willing in my heart to make the amends.
-/-

From A.A. COMES OF AGE

"The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.The A.A. Steps & Traditions are neither rules, regulations, nor laws. Perhaps the secret of their power lies in the fact that these life-giving communications spring out of living experience and are rooted in love." ~ "We find it amazing that the newcomer can start the A.A. program without any specific beliefs or, for that matter, without any beliefs whatsoever. All a person needs is the open-mindedness and the willingness to believe that WE BELIEVE this program works..."
-/-
DonInLondon, Life Works, Alcoholics Anonymous, AA 12 Steps, 12 Steps AA, Addiction And Recovery, Addict, Alcoholic, Alcoholism
August 8 | Steps In Action Alcoholics Anonymous



DonInLondon ~ A lovely meeting last night, had a great impact on me. I love people and trying to help by sharing. We never know our impact on others or where they are just now in their lives. If drink and drugs are part of another’s story, I never criticise anyone sharing about other addictions because it could have been me! Life is precious and precarious one day at a time...

Step eight, listing amends and being willing. I did not realise my part in all matters until I really understood simply being in the wrong place, wrong time and not willing to let go. Justifiable outrage from the past is now over. Today I can be firm, state my case if needs be, at the same time I need not take inventory of others. I have steps to take to keep to my side of the street and not dig potholes in yours...

August 8 ~ Step Eight... making a list of people we have harmed and being willing to make amends. Alcoholism: self-harm and no way to stop on our own. We could not stop and no one could stop us. Our amends to self is recovery, our willingness to make amends starts with a list, step nine the amends comes later... a list each day is step ten...

August 8 ~ Experience and wisdom... just for today, every day we start afresh, how we are feeling and why, a morning meditation, step one acceptance, step two sanity, step three letting go and letting in the worlds wisdom. At days end, step ten and gratitude, I know more of who I am just for today
-/-

AA Daily Reflections ~ "Step Eight "made a list..." August 8: Made a list of all persons we had harmed. [12&12]

When I approached the Eighth Step, I wondered how I could list all the things that I have done to other people since there were so many people, and some of them weren’t alive anymore. Some of the hurts I inflicted weren’t bad, but they really bothered me. The main thing to see in this Step was to become willing to do whatever I had to do to make these amends to the best of my ability at that particular time. Where there is a will, there’s a way, so if I want to feel better, I need to unload the guilt feeling I have. A peaceful mind has no room for feeling of guilt. With the help of my Higher Power, if I am honest with myself, I can cleanse my mind of these feelings."

-/-

Spiritual principles to live life "real" ~ "Forgiveness" "Acceptance" "Surrender" "Faith" "Open-mindedness" "Honesty" "Willingness" "Moral-inventory" "Amends" "Humility" "Persistence" "Spiritual-growth" "Service"

"Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all."

Step 8 is the beginning of making amends, of healing the past with others. From the inventory of Step 4, I have a good starting place for making a list of people that I have harmed. I look over my personal inventory and possibly reflect on my life again. I make a list of the people that I have harmed. I can write down thoughts beside each name about what the appropriate amends might be. I then go through the list and make sure I am willing in my heart to make the amends.

- From 12Step.org

"The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. The A.A. Steps & Traditions are neither rules, regulations, nor laws. Perhaps the secret of their power lies in the fact that these life-giving communications spring out of living experience and are rooted in love." 1. A.A. COMES OF AGE, P. 105." "We find it amazing that the newcomer can start the A.A. program without any specific beliefs or, for that matter, without any beliefs whatsoever. All a person needs is the open-mindedness and the willingness to believe that WE BELIEVE this program works..."

DonInLondon, Life Works, Alcoholics Anonymous, AA 12 Steps, 12 Steps AA, Addiction And Recovery, Addict, Alcoholic, Alcoholism
August 7 Steps In Action Alcoholics Anonymous

DonInLondon ~ “It’s all about me!” I never thought it was. Ignorance: followed by denial and drink. Driven to consume back then in the day. Now is different, humility to learn, share experience strength and hope, and listen always to the wisdom of my fellows…

And of course we need determine the difference when listening. No one is perfect, and there are no perfect solutions, simply progress, what may seem wisdom can be opinion and dogma, doctrine and expressions of the selective truth…

The psychic change in steps 6 & 7 ... from extremes of fear, brave facing and brittle ego we found in step six, to a balance in faith, courage and confidence in step seven. It was suggested to me "I let go and let God." As God works through people, not just me, I ask for help in fellowship or elsewhere. My faith is not blind it's all around me today...
-/-

AA Daily Reflections ~ "A "design for living": August 7 We in our turn, sought the same escape with all the desperation of drowning men. What seemed at first a flimsy reed, has proved to be the loving and powerful hand of God. A new life has been given us or, if you prefer, “a design for living” that really works. [AA big book]

I try each day to raise my heart and hands in thanks to God for showing me a “design for living” that really works through our beautiful Fellowship. But what, exactly, is this “design for living” that “really works”? For me, it is the practice of the Twelve Steps to the best of my ability, the continued awareness of a God who loves me unconditionally, and the hope that, in each new day, there is a purpose for my being. I am truly, truly blessed in the Fellowship."
-/-


Spiritual principles to live life "real" ~ "Forgiveness" "Acceptance" "Surrender" "Faith" "Open-mindedness" "Honesty" "Willingness" "Moral-inventory" "Amends" "Humility" "Persistence" "Spiritual-growth" "Service"

"Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all."

Step 8 is the beginning of making amends, of healing the past with others. From the inventory of Step 4, I have a good starting place for making a list of people that I have harmed. I look over my personal inventory and possibly reflect on my life again. I make a list of the people that I have harmed. I can write down thoughts beside each name about what the appropriate amends might be. I then go through the list and make sure I am willing in my heart to make the amends.
- From 12Step.org

"The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.The A.A. Steps & Traditions are neither rules, regulations, nor laws. Perhaps the secret of their power lies in the fact that these life-giving communications spring out of living experience and are rooted in love." 1. A.A. COMES OF AGE, P. 105." "We find it amazing that the newcomer can start the A.A. program without any specific beliefs or, for that matter, without any beliefs whatsoever. All a person needs is the open-mindedness and the willingness to believe that WE BELIEVE this program works..."

DonInLondon, Life Works, Alcoholics Anonymous, AA 12 Steps, 12 Steps AA, Addiction And Recovery, Addict, Alcoholic, Alcoholism

August 6 Steps In Action Alcoholics Anonymous



I don't know when I became aware of my drinking being a problem, for many years it was never a problem to me. Drink served me or so I thought. My best friend always in hand. Then came denial, workaholic, relationships and driven to perfection. A breakdown, boken, blaming the world, denial and acceptance years apart. Now I realise acceptance is a daily practice living life on life's terms...

DonInLondon ~ I don't know when I became aware of my drinking being a problem, for many years it was never a problem to me. Drink served me or so I thought. My best friend always in hand. Then came denial, workaholic, relationships and driven to perfection. A breakdown, boken, blaming the world, denial and acceptance years apart. Now I realise acceptance is a daily practice living life on life's terms...

We hear tragedy every day in the media. And almost every day in recovery we hear heart rending stories. We are allowed to share how similar our experience may be. Sometimes we don't know if we have helped or hindered, and then out of the blue, we find out we have made a difference. And we can feel peace, just for today unity, service and recovery and every day as life permits...

August 6 In the driving seat? No longer driven by a hundred forms of fear, anger and resentment, ego and brave facing, what next? Now we live on a two way street, we can drive with courage, faith and confidence. We learn our boundaries, know our choices and take account of everyone, lest we forget the wisdom and remember today...

August 6 Sanity returns just for today... always there will be vexatious people, places and things, as we apply and live the 12 step programme, we change our attitude and behaviour and how we feel when conflicts occur. In a moment insanity can flare up, with courage faith and confidence, our sanity can be restored any time of day...
-/-

AA Daily Reflections ~ "Driven... Aug 6 : Driven by a hundred forms of fear, self-delusion, self-seeking and self-pity, we step on the toes of our fellows and they retaliate. [AA big book]
My selfishness was the driving force behind my drinking. I drank to celebrate success and I drank to drown my sorrows. Humility is the answer. I learn to turn my will and my life over to the care of God. My sponsor tells me that service keeps me sober. Today I ask myself: Have I sought knowledge of God's will for me? Have I done service for my A. A. group?"
-/-

Spiritual principles to live life "real" ~ "Forgiveness" "Acceptance" "Surrender" "Faith" "Open-mindedness" "Honesty" "Willingness" "Moral-inventory" "Amends" "Humility" "Persistence" "Spiritual-growth" "Service"

"Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all."

Step 8 is the beginning of making amends, of healing the past with others. From the inventory of Step 4, I have a good starting place for making a list of people that I have harmed. I look over my personal inventory and possibly reflect on my life again. I make a list of the people that I have harmed. I can write down thoughts beside each name about what the appropriate amends might be. I then go through the list and make sure I am willing in my heart to make the amends.
- From 12Step.org

"The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. The A.A. Steps & Traditions are neither rules, regulations, nor laws. Perhaps the secret of their power lies in the fact that these life-giving communications spring out of living experience and are rooted in love." 1. A.A. COMES OF AGE, P. 105." "We find it amazing that the newcomer can start the A.A. program without any specific beliefs or, for that matter, without any beliefs whatsoever. All a person needs is the open-mindedness and the willingness to believe that WE BELIEVE this program works..."

DonInLondon, Life Works, Alcoholics Anonymous, AA 12 Steps, 12 Steps AA, Addiction And Recovery, Addict, Alcoholic, Alcoholism
August 4 & 5 Steps In Action Alcoholics Anonymous



DonInLondon ~ DonInLondon ~ I was out travelling yesterday to see family. Being there and being a part of life and family is one of the amends which keeps on developing stronger and more deep understanding of life today. To be: included and a part of, to be welcomed rather than feared, to be sober offers enlightened and hope just for today? Sober today is one day, where emotional and spiritual wellbeing may flourish. Tomorrow is always another day in sobriety...

Step eight, making the list of amends and being willing to make them. Over the years I have learned my part in living. More than ever it is my responsibility to live well to the principles of the twelve steps. My daily amends to self, put sober first, be open honest and willing to change so I may find truth, love and wisdom today and with hope, every day which follows…
August 5 ~ Always Already Listening... That inner voice in my head, "here we go again," "I know what you are going to say," "nagging doubts," "you always say that," "same old same old," It will always be the "same old, same old" if that is what we look for. We can change and influence what we listen to inside and outside as we make choices today...

August 5 ~ Can I hear what you say to me? Feedback is often thought to be a gentle art. We are our hardest critics or our most ardent admirers, somewhere in between is balance and truth. Listening to feedback from others we find out more of who we are. Listening is a skill we develop when we know we need to, certainly today and everyday...
AA Daily Reflections ~ August 5 Listening deeply: 5 How persistently we claim the right to decide all by ourselves just what we shall think and just how we shall act. [12&12]

If I accept and act upon the advice of those who have made the program work for themselves, I have a chance to outgrow the limits of the past. Some problems will shrink to nothingness, while others may require patient, well-thought-out action. Listening deeply when others share can develop intuition in handling problems which arise unexpectedly. It is usually best for me to avoid impetuous action. Attending a meeting or calling a fellow A.A. member will usually reduce tension enough to bring relief to a desperate sufferer like me. Sharing problems at meetings with other alcoholics to whom I can relate, or privately with my sponsor, can change aspects of the positions in which I find myself. Character defects are identified and I begin to see how they work against me. When I put my faith in the spiritual power of the program, when I trust others to teach me what I need to do to have a better life, I find that I can trust myself to do what is necessary.
August 4 ~ Seeds of faith...our personal faith in next right actions. In recovery we put sober first, so our lives work today with clarity, we feel life as it is, we think about what we do, we live to good conscience...

August 4 ~ "Neither Saint nor Prophet" M Scott Peck , no pedestals in recovery, newcomers bring wisdom of life, old timers bring wisdom of life, medium timers bring wisdom of life, we are all learning the wisdom of recovery, all equal to living life a day at a time. A higher power? A collective wisdom in fellowship just for today...
-/-

AA Daily Reflections ~ "Seeds of faith... Faith, to be sure, is necessary, but faith alone can avail nothing. We can have faith, yet keep God [good conscience, truth, love and wisdom of others] out of our lives.[12&12]

As a child I constantly questioned the existence of God. To a "scientific thinker" like me, no answer could withstand a thorough dissection, until a very patient woman finally said to me, "You must have faith." With that simple statement, the seeds of my recovery were sown! Today, as I practice my recovery -- cutting back the weeds of alcoholism -- slowly I am letting those early seeds of faith to grow and bloom. Each day of recovery, of ardent gardening, brings the Higher Power of my understanding more fully into my life. My God [a personal understanding - for example my understanding is god is truth, love and works through people] has always been with me through faith, but it is my responsibility to have the willingness to accept His presence. I ask God [for me, truth of now, good conscience, wisdom learned, to work to the greater good and not my self-interest] to grant me the willingness to do His will [the common good and not just mine]."
-/-

Spiritual principles to live life "real" ~ "Forgiveness" "Acceptance" "Surrender" "Faith" "Open-mindedness" "Honesty" "Willingness" "Moral-inventory" "Amends" "Humility" "Persistence" "Spiritual-growth" "Service"

"Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all."

Step 8 is the beginning of making amends, of healing the past with others. From the inventory of Step 4, I have a good starting place for making a list of people that I have harmed. I look over my personal inventory and possibly reflect on my life again. I make a list of the people that I have harmed. I can write down thoughts beside each name about what the appropriate amends might be. I then go through the list and make sure I am willing in my heart to make the amends.
- From 12Step.org

"The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.The A.A. Steps & Traditions are neither rules, regulations, nor laws. Perhaps the secret of their power lies in the fact that these life-giving communications spring out of living experience and are rooted in love." 1. A.A. COMES OF AGE, P. 105." "We find it amazing that the newcomer can start the A.A. program without any specific beliefs or, for that matter, without any beliefs whatsoever. All a person needs is the open-mindedness and the willingness to believe that WE BELIEVE this program works..."

DonInLondon, Life Works, Alcoholics Anonymous, AA 12 Steps, 12 Steps AA, Addiction And Recovery, Addict, Alcoholic, Alcoholism
August 3 Steps In Action Alcoholics Anonymous



DonInLondon ~ “Anything for a quiet life?” “Children should be seen and not heard.” Fear and a brave face kept me silent on many an occasion to avoid dark consequences. The noise in my head was deafening back then. When I speak out now I find serenity and the inner “silence is golden” today…

Can do, can’t do today… Can share experience strength and hope. Cannot judge what is right for you or impose my beliefs on you. The wisdom of what works is in the action and with freedom to choose in the moment of now.

To be of service... human beings are all equal in their rights and responsibilities to each other. We behave in ways consistent with our beliefs we improve our courage faith and confidence, we need not complain about others, simply be even handed, “Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit."

One day life plan... underpinned by recovery, each day is all we have to experience truth, cope, be happy, be sad, be angry, be resentful, have fun, love be loved and useful. The less we deny our feelings, the more we understand them, the more we are able to form the right actions, be ourselves and others be themselves today...
-/-

AA Daily Reflections ~ "AA Daily Reflections . . .to be of service: Aug 3: Our real purpose is to fit ourselves to be of maximum service to God [good conscience] and the people about us. [AA big book]

It is clear that God's plan for me is expressed through love. God loved me enough to take me from alleys and jails so that I could be made a useful participant in His world. My response is to love all of His children through service and by example. I ask God to help me imitate His love for me through my love for others."
-/-


Spiritual principles to live life "real" ~ "Forgiveness" "Acceptance" "Surrender" "Faith" "Open-mindedness" "Honesty" "Willingness" "Moral-inventory" "Amends" "Humility" "Persistence" "Spiritual-growth" "Service"

"Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all."

Step 8 is the beginning of making amends, of healing the past with others. From the inventory of Step 4, I have a good starting place for making a list of people that I have harmed. I look over my personal inventory and possibly reflect on my life again. I make a list of the people that I have harmed. I can write down thoughts beside each name about what the appropriate amends might be. I then go through the list and make sure I am willing in my heart to make the amends.
- From 12Step.org

"The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.The A.A. Steps & Traditions are neither rules, regulations, nor laws. Perhaps the secret of their power lies in the fact that these life-giving communications spring out of living experience and are rooted in love." 1. A.A. COMES OF AGE, P. 105." "We find it amazing that the newcomer can start the A.A. program without any specific beliefs or, for that matter, without any beliefs whatsoever. All a person needs is the open-mindedness and the willingness to believe that WE BELIEVE this program works..."

DonInLondon, Life Works, Alcoholics Anonymous, AA 12 Steps, 12 Steps AA, Addiction And Recovery, Addict, Alcoholic, Alcoholism
August 2 Steps In Action Alcoholics Anonymous



DonInLondon ~ A step 3 chair last night, let go and let good. I say “good” because I need let go knowing all the answers today. Powerlessness over alcohol, people places and things has given me the greatest freedom, to make real choices, just for today…

And making a list of all those I have harmed and being willing to make amends liberates me from the bondage to my past. Holding on to righteous anger and resentments kept me in the insanity of judging the world and history. My part in it… always a revelation as I see it today…

Sharing how we truly feel with our partners and family and community, and dare I say it... work, helps us with not only our spiritual progress, but theirs too. Who would wish to hamper another’s spiritual progress today?

In our AA "daily reflections" , August focus is step eight, making the list of people we have harmed and willing to make amends. Can be difficult, our part, not theirs. Steps for cleaning up our side of the street, not digging up theirs…
-/-

AA Daily Reflections ~ "Daily Reflections We become willing 2 Aug: At the moment we are trying to put our lives in order. But this is not an end in itself. [Big Book]

How easily I can become misdirected in approaching the Eighth Step! I wish to be free, somehow transformed by my Sixth and Seventh Step work. Now, more than ever, I am vulnerable to my own self-interest and hidden agenda. I am careful to remember that self-satisfaction, which sometimes comes through the spoken forgiveness of those I have harmed, is not my true objective. I become willing to make amends, knowing that through this process I am mended and made fit to move forward, to know and desire God’s will for me."
-/-


Spiritual principles to live life "real" ~ "Forgiveness" "Acceptance" "Surrender" "Faith" "Open-mindedness" "Honesty" "Willingness" "Moral-inventory" "Amends" "Humility" "Persistence" "Spiritual-growth" "Service"

"Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all."

Step 8 is the beginning of making amends, of healing the past with others. From the inventory of Step 4, I have a good starting place for making a list of people that I have harmed. I look over my personal inventory and possibly reflect on my life again. I make a list of the people that I have harmed. I can write down thoughts beside each name about what the appropriate amends might be. I then go through the list and make sure I am willing in my heart to make the amends.
- From 12Step.org

"The A.A. Steps & Traditions are neither rules, regulations, nor laws. Perhaps the secret of their power lies in the fact that these life-giving communications spring out of living experience and are rooted in love." 1. A.A. COMES OF AGE, P. 105." "We find it amazing that the newcomer can start the A.A. program without any specific beliefs or, for that matter, without any beliefs whatsoever. All a person needs is the open-mindedness and the willingness to believe that WE BELIEVE this program works..."

DonInLondon, Life Works, Alcoholics Anonymous, AA 12 Steps, 12 Steps AA, Addiction And Recovery, Addict, Alcoholic, Alcoholism
August 1 Steps In Action Alcoholics Anonymous



DonInLondon ~ A newcomers chair always reminds me of how recovery started for me, from despair to repair one day at a time. I could not wait to pass the milestones in recovery, now I might prefer they slow down. So much to do one day at a time…

Living in the moment is the spiritual connection to truth. How we see our day with fewer filters determines our ability to make best choices and have freedom today. There will be doubt, sometimes fear and we may hide and brave face. With 12 steps, courage and faith will help our esteem facing our challenges today...


A better perspective, how am I feeling today, knowing what it is like to be me and not what I thought you wanted me to be. Today I feel good, the past is gone and has given me wisdom. I have shared plans and thoughts, accepted feedback, adapted and in this one day I can be happy or sad as life is... serenity today
-/-

AA Daily Reflections ~ "Living it: 1 Aug ~ The spiritual life is not a theory. We have to live it. [AA Big Book]

When new in the program, I couldn’t comprehend living the spiritual aspect of the program, but now that I’m sober, I can’t comprehend living without it. Spirituality was what I had been seeking. God, as I understand Him, has given me answers to the whys that kept me drinking for twenty years. By living a spiritual life, by asking God for help, I have learned to love, care for and feel compassion for all my fellow men, and to feel joy in a world where, before, I felt only fear."
-/-

Spiritual principles to live life "real" ~ "Forgiveness" "Acceptance" "Surrender" "Faith" "Open-mindedness" "Honesty" "Willingness" "Moral-inventory" "Amends" "Humility" "Persistence" "Spiritual-growth" "Service"

"Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all."

Step 8 is the beginning of making amends, of healing the past with others. From the inventory of Step 4, I have a good starting place for making a list of people that I have harmed. I look over my personal inventory and possibly reflect on my life again. I make a list of the people that I have harmed. I can write down thoughts beside each name about what the appropriate amends might be. I then go through the list and make sure I am willing in my heart to make the amends.
- From 12Step.org

"The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. The A.A. Steps & Traditions are neither rules, regulations, nor laws. Perhaps the secret of their power lies in the fact that these life-giving communications spring out of living experience and are rooted in love." 1. A.A. COMES OF AGE, P. 105." "We find it amazing that the newcomer can start the A.A. program without any specific beliefs or, for that matter, without any beliefs whatsoever. All a person needs is the open-mindedness and the willingness to believe that WE BELIEVE this program works..."


DonInLondon, Life Works, Alcoholics Anonymous, AA 12 Steps, 12 Steps AA, Addiction And Recovery, Addict, Alcoholic, Alcoholism