Literature Tools & Concepts Powerful Points I am thankful for the story “Transformational Awakening” and the thoughts shared about what a spiritual awakening has meant for the author. The list of signs was very powerful and gave me a lot to contemplate. Two bullet points in particular, “Not feeling good with my old entourage” and “Losing interest in worrying,” really stuck with me, and I have read … Read More
Higher Power Spirituality Twelve Pointers My understanding is that a spiritual awakening is a radical internal rearrangement of attitudes, priorities, desires, and beliefs. The effect is I’ve now become able to do, think, feel, and say things that I could not before— no matter how hard I tried, how sincerely I wanted to, or how dire any consequences. I came into OA in my early … Read More
Atheists & Agnostics Feeling Supported Longtimers used to say, “Either you’ll get the God-thing, or you’ll put a gun in your mouth.” At a recent meeting, some men shared about having suicidal thoughts. I had been a part of that misanthropic club, so I may be a terminal case, but I’m not unique. The God-thing must be easier for religious folks. I can’t buy a … Read More
Abstinence Fresh Talk We have all heard many OA slogans over and over. I’d like to share a few fresh slogans I’ve heard in OA meetings, both face-to-face and telephone. I love these: Without abstinence, the rest is just conversation. Stay in the middle of the herd. My spiritual awakening was preceded by many rude awakenings. You can’t teach what you don’t know. … Read More
