Our next edition’s theme is “The Positive Sobriety.” Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of taking the steps creates a desire to carry the message of recovery to others still suffering. This desire replaces the desire for gratification at the expense of others.
In this edition, members share their experience disclosing acting-out behaviors to loved ones. They share lessons learned from making mistakes and the wisdom gained from following the guidance from Higher Power, our sponsors, or from SA literature.
Roland mentions in his article, "The Pursuit," how honesty was vital in his new relationship with his wife. How important has honesty been in your recovery? Have you needed help in identifying when you have been dishonest?
Rigorous honesty is the gateway to recovery in SA. At first, I thought that admitting the full extent of my problem and sharing my real history were impossible. What would others think?
Our next edition’s theme is “A Great Caution is Advised.” This caution is in the White Book on page three, "We suggest that newcomers...not reveal their sexual past to a spouse or family member who does not already know of it, without careful consideration..." Similar caution is in the Big Book.
My sponsor suggested that I periodically follow up with the professionals to give them an update on how the Fellowship is doing.
Dear ESSAY, I wanted to compliment you and your staff on the October Issue. Well done! The graphics are outstanding, and the composition of text and graphics is very impactful.
It Changed Both of Us Step Five had a lasting impact on both sponsor and sponsee through the Sponsor-by-Mail program.
Our next edition’s theme is “Rigorous Honesty.” The first words in chapter five of the Big Book tell us that recovery is not possible without the capacity to be rigorously honest. What a wonderful gift to know that we can choose honesty for today, and if we are powerless over dishonesty, we can ask God to remove our dishonesty and gain honesty by helping others. We can also seek outside help. The Steps teach me the process by which I can learn to become aware of the truth and to share that truth with others.
Fear prevented me from experiencing healthy guilt. Guilt tells me I have done wrong. Fear also prevented me from feeling healthy shame. Shame is a slight embarrassment that others may see my wrongs. But fear primarily stopped me from facing toxic guilt and toxic shame.
