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=====TABLE OF CONTENTS=====
=====EDITOR'S COMMENTS
=====READERS' COMMENTS
=====TIGHT BRIEFS
=====ADDICTION & RECOVERY
=====SPONSOR'S CORNER
=====FRIENDLY LINKS
=====PURE BOLOGNA
=====SUBSCRIBE / UNSUBSCRIBE
=====WITHDRAWAL
=====EDITOR'S COMMENTS=====
PLEASE NOTE: Principles looks at recovery through somewhat of an
"eastern" spiritual perspective.
PRIVACY: I will never publish, give, loan, or sell your email address to anyone. Never - Ever - No way - No how.
DISTRIBUTION: God willing, Principles hits cyberspace once a week - sometime between Thursday evening and Friday
morning. Find Subscribe & Unsubscribe instructions at the bottom of this page.
Thanks...Charles Roper
=====TIGHT BRIEFS=====
Alcoholism is about 10% alcohol and 90% stinking thinking.
=====READERS' RAMBLINGS=====
From Robyn:
On your "don't think" theory...I agree. To quote a wise old professor I have (who happens to also be in recovery):
"Don't let your mind wander,
it's too small to be out by itself."
From Lucy:
I think a lot of the problem now days is that each person thinks their way is not only the right way, but also the only way to
stay sober. If you don't believe as they do then what you believe in is a cult or a religion. AA is not in the business of saving
souls but saving lives.
Please email your comments & questions to:
Mailto:Principles-Newsletter-owner@egroups.com
=====ADDICTION & RECOVERY=====
"We claim spiritual progress rather than spiritual perfection."
A logical extension of this wonderful, forgiving quote from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous might be the following:
"We SEEK spiritual progress rather than spiritual perfection."
Mel Ash, in "The Zen of Recovery" says that the pursuit of perfection is a sham, that it cannot be attained.
This suggests an interesting question. Is the pursuit of perfection a sham *because* it cannot be attained? Or is the
pursuit of perfection a sham, period?
I believe it's the latter. Why? Because pursuing perfection is hiding from fear.
The fervor with which we pursue perfection reflects the depth and power of our fear. Likewise, the fervor with which we present a
facade of perfection reflects the immediate intensity of our fear.
I was having lunch one day with my dad, when an absolutely perfect-looking woman - not a single thread or strand of hair out
of place - entered the restaurant. He nodded her way and said admiringly, "Now there's a woman with pride."
I smiled and said, "Hmm, I wonder what she's so afraid of?"
Pissed him off to no end. And in truth, it was an ugly remark. I meant it, though.
Spiritual progress means conscious movement toward openness, honesty, genuineness, and acceptance. It means shrinking ego,
dwindling pride, and diminished need for perfection. It means owning and loving our "imperfectness." Then there's less to fear.
Now that's progress.
...Just my opinion, of course.
=====SPONSOR'S CORNER=====
So how come only a handful of you have ordered your signed copy of High Bottom
Drunk? It's only $19.95 and comes with two free gifts.
Don't make me get out the whip!
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Recovery, by Charles Roper. Inspiring, potent self-help fiction.
Order here: http://www.highbottomdrunk.com
<a href="http://www.highbottomdrunk.com">AOL Link Here</a>
=====FRIENDLY LINKS=====
This week's featured link is: Effects of Alcohol on Your Body
Alcohol has various effects on your body. It does everything from increase your confidence to cause impotence. This website shows
how alcohol works and how it affects your mind and body.
Visit the site:
http://www.vasap.state.va.us/Vasap/effects.htm
<a href="http://www.vasap.state.va.us/Vasap/effects.htm">AOL
Link</a>
=====PURE BOLOGNA & HOGWASH=====
A little girl and a little boy are in the day care room at an Al-Anon meeting. The girl says to the little boy, "Hey Billy, want
to play house?"
He says, "Sure, Sally! What do you want me to do?"
Sally replies, "I want you to communicate your feelings."
"Communicate my feelings?" said a bewildered Billy, "What the heck are you talking about?"
Sally nods and says, "Perfect. You can be the alcoholic husband."
=====SUBSCRIBE / UNSUBSCRIBE=====
To SUBSCRIBE to this publication, send any e-mail to:
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Mailto:Principles-Newsletter-unsubscribe@egroups.com
=====WITHDRAWAL=====
Keep it simple, dear readers.
Charles Roper, Editor
Principles: The Addiction & Recovery Newsletter
Alcohol & Drug Abuse - The Addiction & Recovery Information &
Resources Website:
http://www.alcoholanddrugabuse.com
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