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
Steps Traditions Stepping Up to Recovery I cannot believe I have been abstinent long enough to have made it to Step Twelve. When I first came to this program, I would not have thought my life would be as it is now. It is very different. I am more open to life and active in it. The spiritual awakening I have experienced involves knowing I am … Read More
Steps Traditions Transformational Awakening What is a spiritual awakening? How do we get it? If it is the result of working the Twelve Steps, that means we have to work them. This is how we can practice the Principles embedded in the Steps. It’s a pattern for living. And, we carry the message to newcomers by living the Steps, while protecting our own and … 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