Practical Tools

“A Heart That Blooms”—The Story Behind the Cover Illustration

In my mid-forties I found myself full of fear, uncertainty, and loneliness—not knowing why my life did not have the shades of color I saw in nature, the sunsets, the immensity of the flowers. I felt that I did not belong—that perhaps my Higher Power had made a mistake. Lust had always been there, but at a very high cost.

By |2024-08-23T14:30:41-05:00August 18, 2021|Comments Off on “A Heart That Blooms”—The Story Behind the Cover Illustration

Awareness and Surrender of Euphoric Recall

Sometimes when I am on edge, I want to take in lust to calm myself. I obviously can’t look at porn or masturbate (or act out with another person). Because I would lose my sobriety and I’d have to disclose my actions to my wife. So my disease whispers in my ear that a “euphoric recall” is the perfect answer. I tell myself, “This will take the edge off my anxiety - and I haven’t taken any action of lust.”

By |2023-09-21T18:15:16-05:00May 20, 2021|Comments Off on Awareness and Surrender of Euphoric Recall

Believe the Lies or Adopt the Slogans

Can I differentiate the true from the false? In my disease, I never thought about that question prior to recovery. It simply did not matter. I am a pleasure seeker. What makes me happy or comfortable was what was important. In recovery, I have the opportunity to examine my beliefs and ask the God of my understanding to help me see the truth.

By |2024-09-19T11:49:28-05:00May 20, 2021|Comments Off on Believe the Lies or Adopt the Slogans

The Game

The February edition announced a new practical tool called “The Game.” After a successful pilot project in November with six teams of four members each, The Game was kicked off for the worldwide fellowship on April 4.

By |2023-10-23T12:13:50-05:00May 20, 2021|Comments Off on The Game

We Are Not a Glum Lot

One of the most effective Practical Tools is HUMOR. A man in a hot air balloon realized he was completely lost. He was overwhelmed, in despair and utter bewilderment. He saw a person on the ground and yelled down to him, “Can you help me? I don’t know where I am.”

By |2023-09-20T14:03:06-05:00May 20, 2021|Comments Off on We Are Not a Glum Lot

Further Anatomy of a Lust Hit

Those of us with a little experience in recovery know the various strategies of the “18-Wheeler” for dealing with a lust hit (SA 157). I would like to add a “Number Zero” to the list. I have learned through prayer and through discussion with my daily sobriety renewal partner that part of the power of a lust hit is in the belief that the object of my lust has something I do not.

By |2023-09-20T13:50:01-05:00May 20, 2021|Comments Off on Further Anatomy of a Lust Hit

Zooming into the Next Right Meeting

Recently, I was exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19. I had symptoms, so I called my physician who referred me to a “drive thru” test site for the virus. After the test was conducted, I promptly pulled my car into a parking lot while gripping the steering wheel, feeling so alone and afraid.

By |2023-09-20T13:45:48-05:00May 20, 2021|Comments Off on Zooming into the Next Right Meeting

Selfish Service is the Solution

All my life I have been surrounded by loved ones with fatal and sometimes incurable diseases. The first person I knew to pass away from a disease was a three-year-old girl named Amy, who died of leukemia. My mother just finished chemotherapy for B-cell Lymphoma.

By |2023-09-20T13:42:20-05:00May 20, 2021|Comments Off on Selfish Service is the Solution

90 in 90 After Losing Sobriety

I went back to my home group and shared what had happened. I had slipped and now it was time to face the dreaded walk back into the rooms and face the fellows I had been lying to for many years. The group was welcoming and supportive, I heard supportive and encouraging words like “It’s OK, it’s progressive victory” and “Keep coming back.”

By |2023-10-24T18:35:16-05:00February 24, 2021|Comments Off on 90 in 90 After Losing Sobriety

Play “The Game”

The Game is a fun recovery game played in teams of five members for 30 days. The teams work together to earn recovery points by using SA Tools, one day at a time for 4 weeks. The team with the most “recovery points” after 30 days wins! It is a proven way to make friends and get support with your recovery!

By |2023-11-08T11:04:26-06:00February 24, 2021|Comments Off on Play “The Game”