Definitions of Spirituality
Spirituality can be defined as:
… that aspect of human existence that gives it its ‘humanness’. It concerns the structures of significance that give meaning and direction to a person’s life and helps them to deal with the variations of existence. As such it includes such vital dimensions as the quest for meaning, purpose, self-transcending knowledge, meaningful relationships, love and commitment, as well as (for some) a sense of the holy amongst us.
Spirituality is not the same as religion, although religion can be the focus of an individual’s spirituality or the way in which an individual’s spirituality is r...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - January 28, 2013 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Spirituality Definitions of Spirituality human existence spirituality and religion Source Type: blogs
What is alcoholism?
Let’s Ask Bill W., What is alcoholism?
Alcoholism is a malady; that something is dead wrong with us physically; that our reaction to alcohol has changed; that something has been very wrong with us emotionally; that our alcoholic habit has become an obsession, an obsession which can no longer reckon even with death itself. Once firmly set, one is not able to turn it aside. In other words, a sort of allergy of the body which guarantees that we shall die if we drink, an obsession of the mind which guarantees that we shall go on drinking. Such has been the alcoholic dilemma time out of mind, and it is altogether probable...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - January 26, 2013 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholism Disease Alcoholism is a malady allergy of the body obsession Source Type: blogs
Me, Myself and I
What is the purpose of the 12 Steps?
All addicts, alcoholics, compulsive gamblers, sex addicts and codependents have the following focus – Me, Myself and I.
This one of the main motivations for seeking treatment or recovery. This ‘me, myself and I’ focus is hurting too much. The addiction no longer works to relieve the pain.
It’s like a piece of glass in your pocket
Imagine you have a piece of glass like that below and carried it around with you at all times to help keep you focused.
The edges of the glass are constantly chipped at, with each sharp edge cutting us. And, we are aware of that pain, except sometimes ...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - January 26, 2013 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: 12 Step Fellowships Addictions Codependency Healthy Sobriety Spirituality dry drunk ego-centric me myself and I self-centered self-delusion self-pity self-will run riot selfishness Source Type: blogs
The Miracle Is This
The miracle is this – the more we share, the more we have.
–Leonard Nimoy
Look around you at the happiest people you know. They are also the most generous and giving people. A generous spirit creates its own environment. In recovery we talk a lot about gratitude – and we have a lot to be grateful for. This feeling of gratitude inspires us to be generous toward others in many different ways. Most sharing is not of material things but a sharing of our spirit, our forgiveness, and our respect for others.
We can cultivate a generous spirit by reminding ourselves that we have enough. We have enough to live...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - January 25, 2013 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Meditation Recovery Recovery Books Relationships Spirituality Wisdom generous spirit miracle is this we have we share Source Type: blogs
10 Principles for Peace of Mind
A list of meditations to use with the 12 steps in recovery.
Do Not Interfere In Others’ Business Unless Asked:
Most of us create our own problems by interfering in others’ affairs.We do so because somehow we have convinced ourselves that our way is the best way, our logic is the perfect logic and those who do not conform to our thinking must be criticized and steered to the right direction, our direction.This thinking denies the existence of individuality and consequently the existence of God..God has created each one of us in a unique way.
No two human beings can think or act in exactly the same way.All men...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - January 24, 2013 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: 12 Step Fellowships Meditation Recovery Mind your own business peace of mind Source Type: blogs
A Gift of Hope
Al-Anon; a Program for Living
When I first joined Al-Anon it was a relief to learn that alcoholism is an illness. Having lived all those years in darkness I discovered that the alcoholic is sick and not simply trying to hurt me and others.
The Al-Anon programme is based on the Alcoholics Anonymous Twelve Steps and must be lived at all times. The more one puts into the programme, the more one gets out of it. I don’t like to think of what my life would have been if I hadn’t the knowledge I have received from Al-Anon as living this way can help me in any situation or with any problem.
When I could recognise that...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - January 23, 2013 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Adult Children of Alcoholics Al-anon Alateen Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholism Codependency Disease Alcoholism is an Illness Program for Living Source Type: blogs
Rageaholics Anonymous
Gaining in Humility
Many recovering people may find that they are drifting into antisocial rage outbursts. Rageaholics Anonymous has developed a 12 Step Fellowship based on Alcoholics Anonymous principles. This is one excerpt from their website.
We thought “conditions” incited our anger, and when we tried to correct these conditions and found that we couldn’t to our entire satisfaction, our anger went out of hand and we became rageaholics. It never occurred to us that we needed to change ourselves to meet conditions, whatever they were.
But in RA we slowly learned that something had to be done about our vengeful re...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - January 22, 2013 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: 12 Step Fellowships Emotions Humility Relationships anger rage outbursts Rageaholics Anonymous Source Type: blogs
What’s Going to Happen ?
Staying in the Present Moment
Often, one of our biggest questions is, “What’s going to happen?” We may ask this about our relationships, our career, our recovery, and our life. It is easy to tangle ourselves up in worrisome thoughts.
Worrying about what’s going to happen blocks us from functioning effectively today. It keeps us from doing our best now. It blocks us from learning and mastering today’s lessons. Staying in the now, doing our best, and participating fully today are all we need to do to assure ourselves that what’s going to happen tomorrow will be for the best.
Worrying about...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - January 21, 2013 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: 12 Step Fellowships Addictions Alcoholism Codependency Meditation Recovery Books Staying in the Present Moment What's going to happen Source Type: blogs
Intellectual Humility
Humility First
We the intellectual self-sufficient found many in Alcoholics Anonymous who once thought as we did. They helped us to get down to our right size. By their example, they showed us that humility and intellect could be compatible, provided we placed humility first. When we began to do that, we received the gift of faith, a faith -which works. This is a faith for you too.
From – The AA book 12 Steps and 12 Traditions (pp 30).
Subscribe to Recovery Is Sexy by Email:HUMILITYHumbly asked Him to Remove our Shortcomings.The Power of HumilityTradition TwelveThe Power of Humility (Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com)
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - January 20, 2013 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: 12 Step Fellowships Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholism Humility humility and intellect Humility First Source Type: blogs
Primary Responsibility
Each Alcoholics Anonymous group has but one primary purpose – to carry the message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
Better do one thing well than many badly.
The life of our Fellowship, Alcoholics Anonymous depends on this principle.
Passing on this gift to others is the aim.
Sobriety can’t be kept unless it is given away.
“An AA group, as such’ cannot take on all the personal problems of its members let alone those of non-alcoholic s in the world around us. The AA group is not for example, a mediator of domestic relations nor does it furnish personal financial aid to anyone.
“Though a member may so...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - January 18, 2013 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholism Help an Alcoholic Recovery Sobriety alcoholic who still suffers primary purpose Source Type: blogs
What is Grow ?
Grow Mutual Help Groups
Grow offers people organised friendly support through mutual help groups and a 12 Step Program of recovery. People in Grow have experienced many of the symptoms of mental illness; depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and mental and emotional distress. They’ve also had struggles with life. Losses of loved ones and jobs, marriage difficulties – these things can and do happen to people. These are some of the challenges that cause people to come to Grow.
People participating in Grow experience how extraordinarily liberating and affirming it is when they share their problems with others...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - January 17, 2013 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: 12 Step Fellowships Dual Recovery Emotions Psychological Illness anxiety depression emotional distress Grow Mutual Help Groups mental panic attacks Source Type: blogs
Environment and Alcoholism
How does Alcoholism respond to Environment?
We know sobriety responds to environment from the fact that mixing with sober people will encourage sobriety. Therefore it follows’ that moving into surroundings of alcoholic behaviour environment will incline to lead to a reversion in thinking and cause a possible relapse to the AA member.
Whilst drinking the alcoholic favours the environment of a lower social scale, in order to boost his faultering ego. Alcoholism, being a progressive illness, forces him lower and lower as his illness progresses. Eventually, he finds himself lower than he cared or intended to go.
Environm...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - January 16, 2013 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholism Recovery Relapse encourage sobriety environment progressive illness Source Type: blogs
Another View of Sponsorship
In the early days of Alcoholics Anonymous sponsorship was conducted most thoroughly.
Perhaps as a natural result of growing bigger the picture has changed. At any rate the old style of sponsoring, with the sponsor utterly devoted to his prospect is seen infrequently.
A revival of interest is needed. The following are a few suggestions:
1. Responsibility is the first principle of good sponsorship; the sponsor is the one who assumes responsibility for the person seeking help. If one is unable to devote the time and attention essential to good sponsorship, one should not undertake it. The Big Book of AA says. “Practical ...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - January 15, 2013 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: 12 Step Fellowships Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholism Recovery Sponsorship AA sponsorship responsibility Source Type: blogs
AA MP3 New Zealand
Welcome to New Zealand Recovery MP3
This web site is committed to helping those wishing to recover from alcoholism. They make available MP3 audio recordings of AA meetings, local and international speakers talking about recovery plus some rare historic recordings and interviews.
In the spirit of the traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous we respect the right and need for anonymity and ask all who download recordings to respect these traditions. We ask that this material be used only for personal recovery and is not broadcasted or used in any other published formats.
This site does not charge for MP3’s. Members should not p...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - January 10, 2013 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholism MP3 Recordings Recovery AA meetings audio recordings New Zealand Recovery Source Type: blogs
What Women Want
Men in recovery may need to relearn how to be romantic – to improve their sexuality. This list may be helpful. Remember the pay off may surprise you.
A Caring Guy Is a Hot Guy
Chivalry Still Has a Place
Dress to Impress
Guy Wears Red, Guy Gets Girl
Don’t Hide Your Flaws
Don’t Try to Fix Her World
Nodding Is Not Enough
Date No. 3 Is Not a Bedroom Key
Women Like the Slow Lane
Safe Sex Is a Turn-On
Learn What She Wants in Bed
Performance Anxiety Is Shared
Mirroring Is a Barometer of Love
Your Shirt May Be a Love Magnet
Say It, Again and Again
Don’t Fear the Relationship Talk
Look Your Partner in the E...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - January 8, 2013 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Men Recovery Relationships Sex Addictions Sexuality Women romantic What Women Want Source Type: blogs
