The Most Profound Personal & Spiritual Growth Course I Have Ever...

... taken. Ever.

And... I've done lots. Starting back in the early 70s (I was in my 20's). Close to $150,000 in tuition, fees, books, planes, hotels, retreats, et. cet. over the years. GOD knows (because only GOD could know) how much time I invested. A year's worth. Or two. At least.

Some (most) was great stuff: The Hoffman Quadrinity Process, est, the Forum, a host of Asian philosophies. Macrobiotics, working with a number of Mentors & Coaches, a mountain of reading & an ocean of listening. Lots of valueable insights, tools, ways of looking at things, ah ha's and ha ha's. Learned much that was/is useful.Taught some of it.

Yet there's not one I have, would, will follow
to the letter to "change my lfe for the better
forever." Until now.

"Hi, my name is John and I'm an alcoholic," is what I say when I first speak at a 12-Step meeting. I go to six meetings a week, taking one day off where I do extra study (reading, listening, assignments given me by my sponsor or my self). Takes 1/2 hour to drive into town for all but one (local to me) meeting. meetings last one-hour. So, two hours a day. On my way in and out I listen to CDs— that's two hours a day of "working the work," not including my other reading/listening... not including self-reflection and prayer. I'm not up to meditation, yet. And that's inevitable.

That red chip up & over there... is for three months of sobriety. I collect mine on June 27th. Happily (thrilled actually), I'll get that in my "home group" meeting. I'll get a hug, too. My "new" friends will clap. I'll feel proud— the good, pure, happy accomplishment kind. I'll put that chip in my pocket, along with my white chip (24 hours of not picking up a drink) and blue chip (one month of same) and a small laminated card that has the Serenity Prayer on it and the 12 Steps & 12 Traditions, and a gold Russian rubble to remind me of my wife, Katyusha, carry it around. Always and everywhere.

I tell you all of this as backstory... so you'll understand where much of what I write here will be coming from— and going towards. And also, so that you better know what will be here and can choose to come by or not. May not be your drink of choice. I understand. I REALLY understand. 

Most people have no clue what this fellowship is all about. You don't have to be a drunk to appreciate and learn from what we do and how we do it. It DOES help, though. There's something about facing a Life-or-Death inevitability and realizing you have neither power, nor control, nor choice in the matter that tends to bring and keep people together and committed to their own and each other's growth, recovery & reinvention.

There'll be quite a bit of GOD stuff here, too.

And Home-Business, Network Marketing... 

That outta' narrow the viewer's field <smile>

______________________________

Thanks.
I appreciate you.

 

 

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