Un mirage d’eau
Identifier le problème et cesser son comportement égocentrique lui permet de vivre dans la confiance et dans la volonté de Dieu.
Best Caption Contest
Congratulations to Gary L. for winning the Best Caption Contest with his caption, “Coming out from the shell is hard for me too.” He will receive a free copy of the October edition in the mail. Also, congratulations to Gene T.
ODAAT
A license plate reminds him that recovery is one day at a time. One day in the spring of 2024, I had an appointment with my eye doctor in Oshawa, Ontario (Canada). Parked right outside the office building was this motorcycle. I stood stock still for a moment, looking at the license plate—ODAAT—and the yellow bumper sticker above it—ONE DAY AT A TIME.
A Meeting of Souls
Fusagasugá witnessed the 13th National Convention of SA Colombia. It was a meeting of souls, where hope blossomed, and unity became real. There, I discovered that there are no broken people—only valuable human beings fighting against this painful disease. I felt the presence of our Higher Power everywhere. Every day, I fall more in love with SA.
Keep The Curtains Open
Taking a look at himself and sharing what he found let the light of recovery shine on his shame. An unknown SA member said, “If you want light, keep the curtains open. The curtains are made of selfishness.” I was not only driven by a hundred forms of fear, as the Big Book says, but also by a thousand forms of guilt and shame.
Recovery: My Way Out of Shame
Step Nine showed him how to proceed without putting himself down. I am Tim, from Brussels. I discovered I am a sexaholic about two years ago. After a summer of destructive acting out, a painful rock bottom, and therapy, it became clear that I needed help from a 12-Step program. It was a great relief. I have been addicted to lust since my teenage years without knowing it.
A Journey Called Recovery
A reflection on 30 years of working the Program reveals a life worth living. Thirty years ago today, August 8th, 1995, I walked into a church, sat down in a room full of strangers, and said: “My name is Bill and I’m…” Thirty years ago today, I started on a journey called Recovery.
Eureka!
SA helped her see more clearly how she was holding herself back from healing fully. I haven’t taken much time as of late to consider the role that trauma plays in my consistent relapses. I was abused sexually by my father at 13, and I had sexually abusive relationships from ages 19-22. I entered SA in July of 2021 without realizing my last relationship had ended with me being sexually assaulted. The brain is a funny organ like that.
Gift of Sobriety
She found the freedom to choose in sobriety. Sobriety is a gift that your wise decisions give you. Sobriety is not limited to stopping sexual relations with another person or with yourself—that is only the beginning. Sobriety is having sanity in the face of life. It is exercising the self-control that already resides within you, that was given to you by your Higher Power to choose between what is good for you and what harms you.
Bringing the Inside Out
With his sponsor’s help, he learned to deal with shame and guilt. As we persist, a brand-new kind of confidence is born, and the sense of relief at finally facing ourselves is indescribable (Twelve and Twelve 50).
