Dear ESSAY
Dear ESSAY, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the ESSAY team for continuing its vital work after Luc’s passing. Your dedication keeps alive an invaluable resource for our Fellowship worldwide.
Editor’s Corner
The whole team at the ESSAY is again uplifted and humbled by your experience, strength, and hope on this month’s theme of “God as We Understand Him.” The other pieces about Practical Tools, Steps & Traditions, Worldwide News, etc. also continue to teach and inspire us.
What’s Going On in SA
JOB POSTING — PLEASE SHARE! Editor — ESSAY Magazine The SA Board of Trustees is seeking applicants from the Fellowship for the position of Editor of the ESSAY magazine. The Editor has managerial oversight and responsibility for the ESSAY magazine and will report directly to SA’s Board of Trustees (BoT).
Sylvia J. — The Passing of a Legend
It is with heavy heart that we announce the passing of Sylvia J. on October 10, 2024. Sylvia, a most-beloved sponsor and friend to many, was sober 41 years and was still taking sponsee calls while on her deathbed. She was a pillar in the structure of SA alongside Roy K. and Jesse L.
Editor’s Corner
I have loved the ESSAY long before this December issue. I would include it in my morning studies and let HP nudge me about what to highlight and make notes on. Then Luc accepted me onto the editing team where I got to act out my ADD and OCD to my heart’s content as I fix spelling, clarify passages for non-English writers, and fix punctuation problems.
Experiencing a Spiritual Awakening
Without a doubt, a spiritual awakening is a common phrase in SA. It is mentioned in Step Twelve: “Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps…” (SA, 6). If a spiritual awakening is essential to my program, why haven’t I set out to discover more about it?
Sex and the Single Sexaholic
An article published in this year’s October issue titled, “The ESSAY Enhances Our Meetings,” was quite encouraging for single SA members. In that article, an SA sister recounted a frantic search which ensued after a fellow member referred her to an older ESSAY article that had a great impact on his recovery. Regrettably, he lost his only copy and couldn’t remember the title. The author of October’s piece, along with other sleuths in that meeting, did find the older article, which proved very valuable for those in their meeting.
For Luc
We are greatly saddened by the sudden passing of the ESSAY Editor, Luc D. As you can see by this issue, ESSAY will continue—although it won’t be the same without Luc’s magic.
Taking the First Step
For me, the most important Step is the First Step. Taking the First Step is the motivator for all of the other Steps. I am fully convinced that I have a fatal malady beyond my ability to fix, so I move forward on the other Steps. Step One is a process of surrendering pride. It’s not the end of pride, but hopefully, God willing, it can help create a daily reprieve.
Battling the Ants
My Personal Journey Through the 12 Steps to Overcome Automatic Negative Thoughts In my home, a quiet battle has been waging—a battle that parallels an even more personal struggle within my mind. On one hand, I face an invasion of tiny ants that seem to materialize out of nowhere, marching across my kitchen counter. On the other, I wrestle with automatic negative thoughts (ANTs) that creep into my mind, disrupting my peace and self-esteem.
