So often when we are new to sobriety we question how this thing works; how people recover from a hopeless state of mind and body; how maybe, just maybe, we can recover too.  There are many principles that I have learned (and implemented) over the years that have helped me to develop into more of… Read More Consistency- Daniel R. DSM, 6.18.14

“Kids, come in here quickly. I have an incredible announcement to make! On Monday, I am going to quit drinking, and that is going to free up a lot of time and money for us to start doing some fun activities together.”      These are words I spoke quite often to my children on many a… Read More Putting the Cart Before the Horse in AA – Michael B, 10.8.2013, West Des Moines, IA

Many years ago I heard about the “Corrections Desk” at the A.A. General Service Office in New York.  They were seeking volunteers who were willing to write letters to incarcerated alcoholic men who had reached out, seeking help.  So, out of curiosity more than anything I inquired and was given the name and address of someone. If… Read More Helping Others with a Postage Stamp- JD, Des Moines, IA

1. One Day at a Time We must take life one day at a time, one moment at a time. (Dark Moon Pictures/Shutterstock) One of the most common AA slogans is “one day at a time.” This simple phrase carries two essential messages. First, we must focus on the present. We cannot see the future,… Read More 10 AA Slogans and Their Deeper Meanings by Justin Kunst from Amethyst Recovery

The big book tells us that this fear will dissolve as a result of our working the steps of AA. For me, this has been true. While I still worry about finances, I am finding this fear to control my life far less frequently than before.I grew up in poverty, and my mom made sure… Read More Fear of Financial Insecurity- Roselin A, 10/27/2018, Des Moines IA

What Is Resentment? Resentment describes a negative emotional reaction to being mistreated. There is no one cause of resentment, but most cases involve an underlying sense of being mistreated or wronged by another person. Most of the time, for me personally, resentment usually happens when my pride and ego is challenged or hurt. Other times… Read More Resentments- Cassie M. DSM, SOB 4.19.20

Understanding is the key to right principles and attitudes, and right action is the key to good living. — TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 125 There came a time in my program of recovery when the third stanza of the Serenity Prayer — “The wisdom to know the difference” — became indelibly imprinted in… Read More COMMITMENT- Angela E. DSM, IA

The first thing that comes to mind when I think of the word “perseverance” is nevergiving up. I have a lot of experience with that. Time and time again, life has thrown curve ballsat me, and I’ve sometimes felt that I couldn’t go on, but somehow, I’ve managed to hold on forjust one more day.… Read More Perseverance- Therese Lyons 1/14/18 DSM, IA

I found this great breakdown of this topic while reading the internet so I wanted to share with those who read this blog- Kara Partyline Editor “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… Read More Thoughts VS Actions

Hi, I’m Christine, and I am an alcoholic.  When I think about brotherly love (includes sisters as well – just keeping the slashes down to a minimum) my mind immediately goes to Jesus’s words “and love your neighbor as yourself”.  I have had “brotherly love” modeled very little in my own family life.  My elder… Read More Brotherly/Sisterly Love- Christine SOB 8/29/17