from the Podium

Secrets of the New Happiness

May 4, 2012

Success in living. Most of us know whether other people are truly happy. What’s odd, however, is that we don’t often try to practice the things that bring happiness to others. Often, the happiness we’re striving for is really a form of excitement trying to be continuously stimulated so as not to be bored or [...]

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A willingness to look

May 1, 2012

“If I’m not the problem, then there is no solution.” When I came into the program, I had a lot of problems and most of them were your fault. My girlfriend didn’t understand me; my boss didn’t appreciate me; the police, well, they didn’t like it when I drove after just a few drinks (I [...]

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Faking it, and then making it

April 22, 2012

Finding the Spirit of the Thing. We’re sometimes advised, or at the very least we hear, “fake it until you make it.” But how can anything false really lead us to recovery? Aren’t we told that this is an honest program? We’re not being dishonest by pushing ourselves to become actively involved in AA. The [...]

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Joe McQ- Founder’s Day, Akron-1993 (CD)

March 18, 2012

I know this borders on AA apostasy, (apostasy : noun, the abandonment or renunciation of a religious or political belief.) but I have never been a big fan of the Joe and Charley Big Book Studies, and I’m not sure I want to know why. I suspect part of it is my own orneriness, my [...]

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Founders Day

February 20, 2012

When I listen to unfamiliar speakers I like to make sure there is some AA foundation behind what I’m hearing. One of the safest sources of quality speakers is the annual founders Day celebration in Akron Ohio.  I’ve heard Sandy B., Burns Brady, Paul W. and others speaking on this occasion, and for that reason [...]

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Do it Sober

February 12, 2012

Practicing Principles There may be a hidden meaning in that bumper sticker that reminds us to “Do it Sober,” but we can also read it to mean that real sobriety should guide everything we do today. Real sobriety is emotional sobriety. We have it when our principles protect us from overpowering feelings growing out of [...]

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