After completing the 12 steps, a long-time member of AA shares his experience of the 9th step promises. Russell Brand recently released his own creative interpretation of AA’s Twelve Steps. As a recovering alcoholic myself (since 12/30/1983), I admire how he captures the essence of the program, while still more or less respecting its tradition… Continue reading Do AA's Promises Come True?
Tag: relationships
The Walk
I can effectively express two emotions, anger and rage, and if someone fucked with my little girl, they would be getting a double load of both. I hadn’t been back in the free world a month, but I was rolling. This time I was flat, no parole, no PO to fuck with, no fines, nothing.… Continue reading The Walk
Men… I’ve Always Been Obsessed With Them
It’s not him, it’s the version of him I’d chosen to focus on, ignoring all the bad behavior which followed, as I have way too many times. “Addicted to Love” is a great song––it’s also a not-so-great running theme in my life. Last week, at 62 ½, it dawned on me that there’s never been… Continue reading Men… I’ve Always Been Obsessed With Them
An End to the Parent-Child Role Reversal: Taking Care of Me
When my dad drank, he folded in on himself and quietly disappeared. When this happened, I’d wait patiently for his return while dreaming up myriad ways to make his life better. There was a little more than a week to go before my wedding day. Left on my to-do list was an array of tasks:… Continue reading An End to the Parent-Child Role Reversal: Taking Care of Me
Do You Want To Know What I’m Thinking? Me Neither
I gain peace when I choose not to suffer. It isn’t easy, but neither is being miserable. I’ve got a big mouth, a lot of opinions, and little hesitation about expressing them—even when I haven’t done the homework. No matter how long I’ve been sober, how many meetings I attend, how many times I work… Continue reading Do You Want To Know What I’m Thinking? Me Neither
How I Conquered My Relationship Insecurity
I didn’t engage in behaviors like calling or texting multiple times—if anything, I did the opposite, out of fear of being perceived as needy—but the thoughts alone, their irrationality and all-consuming anxiety, caused me a lot of pain. Fear of abandonment, jealousy, and general insecurity in romantic relationships leads many in the dating scene to… Continue reading How I Conquered My Relationship Insecurity
Neil Strauss' Evolution: From Pick-Up Artist to Relationship Expert
“Your relationship success has nothing to do with your partner, it’s really all about you and working on yourself…Until you do that you’ll always fall in love with the same kind of person.” Neil Strauss has an enviable list of accomplishments. A nine time best-selling author, he got his start as a music critic writing… Continue reading Neil Strauss' Evolution: From Pick-Up Artist to Relationship Expert
Owning My Space as a Woman in 12-Step Programs
I am totally within my rights if I say no, you may not sit there, and no, I don’t want a hug and I don’t want a cup of coffee and just back the fuck off because I have mace in my purse. Several days after I took my last drink, I was detoxing at… Continue reading Owning My Space as a Woman in 12-Step Programs