General Recovery / Healing
Links you´ve sent us, or that we´ve just found, that can´t quite be categorized, or have yet to be. It´s all helpful. Enjoy!
A Daily Focus 
All of those daily prayer and meditation books we buy are great. But did you ever think about creating your own daily focus and making it what you really need? Every now and then it is a healthy alternative. A Defect Called Control
We hate to be labeled "controlling" but most of us do admit that in our addiction(s)control was not only important but vital to survival. In recovery, we have had to learn to let go. A New Year Thank You
This comes on the coat tails of "An Attitude of Gratitude"; a thanks to all of you who have kept me trudging the road to happy destiny in 2008. A Pill for Sober Living?
Medical science has made great strides in the development of meds for drug and alcohol addiction. But will addicts see this as an easy fix to their disease? Recovery programs cannot take a back seat to meds for addictions. A Positive Attitude and Living in the Now
Recovery means growth but every so often we plateau. We discover there are some important aspects of life that are more difficult to attain but how to get what we want takes work, patience, and our Higher Power. A Time of Trouble
We are living in troubled times. No matter how long or how strong we are in our recovery, our humanness makes us vulnerable to the pressures of life. In these times, we need each other more than ever. Addiction and the Workplace
Recovering addicts have much to offer an employer but disclosing your situation may not always be favorable. Use common sense and don't be so quick to wear your recovering heart on your sleeve. Know the difference between honesty and foolishness. After the Obsession is Lifted 
Alcohol is but a symptom and our defects may live longer than we anticipate. A single defect may be big enough to force us into a "moral" relapse and require professional help. An Attitude of Gratitude 
Gratitude is not something that always comes easy. Sometimes we have to learn or relearn how to be grateful and what we should be grateful for. Anonymity 101
Most of our family and friends know of our addiction but how about those who don't? Who do you tell about your recovery? It's a personal decision but one we all must make. Asian American Recovery Services  [offsite link]
Dedicated to decreasing and preventing substance abuse in Asian American Communities (N. California) Celebrating Milestones
They are about the size of a half-dollar. The first few in various colors, the rest more solid. They are round pieces of metal. They have no monetary value but mean the world to those of us as we celebrate our hours, days, weeks, months, and years of sobriety. Choosing Peace
Recovery gives us the freedom to make choices in our behaviors. How we choose to live the principles of the 12 Steps will determine the peace, happiness and serenity we want in our lives. Completing the Circle
Finding a sponsor can be challenging but having a sponsor is vital to recovery. There is a special person out there for you and all you have to do is want what they have and ask the question, "Will you be my sponsor?" Confident Expectancies
Expectations breed resentment because we place too much trust in another person. Try using confident expectancy instead. It keeps us focused and positive and the source is our Higher Power. Criminals & Gang Members Anonymous [offsite link]
Help and hope for those looking for a way out, for good. Crisis in Recovery
None of us can expect a life free of crisis. If our recovery is strong, we can meet life's challenges head on. It doesn't mean it will be easy but we will come out of it maintaining our sobriety. Deaf and Hard of Hearing AA/12 Step Resources [offsite link]
Deaf and Hard of Hearing AA/12 Step Resources. Debtors Anonymous Resources - Solvency.org [offsite link]
While not official, this group´s filled with great resources for those who need support regarding financial balance. Divine Timing
No one can make a person recover from an addiction. The person must want it above everything else. There's more to it than that, though. It really is all about our Higher Power and Divine Timing. Drug Addiction and AA
The meeting rooms of AA are not without controversial issues. The one that repeats itself often is sharing an addiction, other than alcohol, with the group. Some say AA means only alcohol; others disagree. The author has her own opinion. What is yours? Dual Addictions
It seems that if we have one addiction, there is always another lurking right around the corner. How do we deal with these and should we even try to get rid of all of them at the same time? DUI is Everyone's Problem
State laws are becoming stricter in the effort to control DUI's. They are made for anyone who drives while under the influence, even the "normal" drinker. Are these new laws too harsh or not harsh enough? Faith Without Works
Faith in a Higher Power, in ourselves, and in others is a wonderful thing. Until we put that faith into action we will never know how alive and free we really can be. Fear
Fear is a four-letter word that many of us wish would disappear from our vocabularies and our lives. It can be a thing of the past but only when we can face it with honesty. Forgiveness - Gifting Ourselves
Forgiveness is the gift we give ourselves but why is it so difficult? We have to learn to "practice" forgiveness as we do with any other principle. Guilt and Shame
There are many things you can say you might feel guilty about. But do you feel shame? There is a big difference between guilt and shame and we must get rid of both to live in peace and serenity. HealthyPlace.com [offsite link]
Online support group communities. Holiday 12 Stepping - Part I
Karen Casey, a well-known author, shares her wisdom and advice to keep all of us safe and sober through the holiday season. This is Part I of her article. Please share it with others as Karen has shared this gift with all of us. Namaste'. Holiday 12 Stepping - Part II
Karen Casey, a well-known author, shares her wisdom and advice to keep all of us safe and sober through the holiday season. This is Part II of her article. Please share it with others as Karen has shared this gift with all of us. Namaste'. Holiday Sobriety
The holidays can be a slippery slope for those of us in recovery. Nothing is more important than our sobriety but we can attend those holiday parties safely and have fun. Independence Day, Every Day
This is the time of year all Americans celebrate independence. When is your Independence Day? What price did you pay for your freedoms? New freedoms and happiness await one day at a time. Is There Hope for Everyone?
Hope doesn't just happen. Hope is not a wish for something as much as it is taking action because you know there is something better out there. When did you discover hope for yourself? Letting Go
Letting go is a simple process that brings peace to our day. Letting go and letting God is the pathway to freedom and is open to everyone. If only it were that easy! Louise Hay / Hay House Publishing [offsite link]
While not specifically 12 Step-related, Louise Hay´s books come HIGHLY recommended for all kinds of healing and upliftment in life. Marianne Williamson [offsite link]
Offers various recovery resources for yourself, your family and the universe. One Step at A Time (Seattle, WA) [offsite link]
An outdoor activity group for 12 Steppers and friends. Our Favorite Prayers
We each learn to pray in our own way in our own words but nothing inspires us more than the Serenity Prayer and The Prayer of St. Francis. These combined with The Lord's Prayer are powerful tools in recovery. Our Future Selves
How do you see yourself in the future? Do you envision yourself happier and more serene than who you are today? If you do, it doesn't just happen. It takes practice, practice, practice! Our Primary Purpose
Responsibility and purpose...two important elements to maintain sobriety. Are we willing to give back to everyone in need or do we only help those within our comfort zone? Patience and Tolerance
Society today is all about instant gratification. Patience and tolerance must be our code not just with others but with ourselves and our recovery. Perfectionism
Striving to do something perfectly or to be perfect has a way of reducing us to failure. Remembering that it is progress not perfection is not always that easy. Recovery Doesn't Vacation
It is important for all of us to get away from the day-to-day. It is equally important that we never lose sight of the fact that there are no vacations from recovery. Recovery Jones: 12 Step Humor [offsite link]
12 Step Humor - Hey, laughter can be the best medicine! Recovery Net Radio [offsite link]
A live, daily talk show dealing with issues of addiction and recovery. Relapse - Never Say Never
There are many ways to describe relapse and many reasons why it happens. Prevention is the key but regression doesn't happen overnight. Identify where you are in your recovery and know if you are entering the danger zone. Resentments
Resentments are dangerous, yet no matter how hard we try we can still find ourselves in the middle of one. The good news is that we can now recognize a resentment and find serenity. Self Help Works [offsite link]
Self-led online audiovisual wellness programs. Sent to me by an AA Friend
Sobriety (or ending any other addiction) does not mean we are well. The only way we can change our lives is by working the 12 Steps. This article is about someone who didn't. Anyone of us could be this person. If you see yourself in this at all, you have time to change. Serenity and Dimes
Serenity and dimes have nothing in common most of the time. Recovery has brought both to me in ways determined only by my Higher Power. May you discover your serenity and maybe a dime or two in your journey. SISupport.com [offsite link]
Hope, strength and compassion for self-injurers. Sponsorship
Why do I need a sponsor? When can I sponsor? What does a sponsor do? There are no rules to sponsorship. Sponsorship is probably based more on tradition and a fellowship motto to "pass it on". Regardless it is a win/win situation. Step 9 1/2; The Promises
Steps 8 and 9 are somewhat behind us. The Promises as given to us in the Big Book can be both prayer and meditation. When and how we see the Promises unfold depends on us, the action we are willing to take, and how we are living life in recovery. Stuck in Recovery
The pink cloud has long gone and you work a good program. The only problem is that you are "stuck". Where is the happy, joyous, and free you are waiting for? Summertime Sobriety
Summer is usually a time for most of us to feel more relaxed or to have a more casual life style. The season can also be a slippery slope especially if we become a bit lazy in our recovery and forget who we are. Survivors Art Foundation [offsite link]
Art therapy resource for abuse survivors. Thanksgiving Every Day
12 Step recovery has given us a gift we never expected to receive. We've learned how to celebrate Thanksgiving every day of the year. The Artist´s Way Online Group [offsite link]
Loosely based on the 12 Step model, this group works through Julia Cameron/Mark Bryan´s book in terms of "healing the creative self." The Best 12 Steps You Will Ever Take
As the last article of the year, I wanted to re-introduce one of my first articles. Some things don't change. Do you want or need a 12 Step Recovery Program? Here are a few reasons why it will be the best 12 steps you ever take. The Gift That Keeps On Giving
A key element in recovery is sponsorship. Do you have a sponsor? Are you a sponsor? Should there be criteria to be a sponsor? This is the first article in a series that will discuss sponsorship from every angle. The God Box
Life's problems and concerns are challenging. Those of us in recovery do not have a corner on this market. The God Box is for everyone and anyone who wants to feel peace within themselves. The Light Side of Recovery
Recovery doesn't always have to be a serious business. You can find an easier, softer way to recognize how far you have come in recovery if you look at the lighter side of life. The Media and Addiction
Perhaps when we are in recovery we evaluate more closely how the media, particularly TV, addresses addictions. Fortunately, not everything is negative. The Northwest Deaf Addiction Center [offsite link]
Resources for deaf/HOA individuals who need aptly fitting support. The Only Requirement Is....
12 Step Recovery programs do not have rules. It suggests the 12 Steps if we are serious about recovering. There is only one requirement to be a member of AA (and other 12 step programs)and no one but you can make that decision. The Recovery Boat
We are given tools that become lifelines to our success in recovery but we must use them all of the time. When we don't, these lines break and put us in real danger. The Recovery Directory [offsite link]
A regularly updated directory, resplendent with meeting and group information, a recovery store, and more. The Recovery Zone [offsite link]
A 12 Step Resource Guide The Society of Compassionate Friends [offsite link]
Offers friendship and understanding to bereaved parents, grandparents and siblings. The Tao of Sobriety
A life of harmony and the ability to walk a path of virtuous conduct is the result of honesty, open-mindedness and willingness. This is the Tao of sobriety. The Twelve Traditions
The Twelve Traditions of AA are the foundation of all 12 Step Recovery programs but we honestly don't like to read or discuss them. Make them personal and appreciate that they had to be inspired by a Higher Power. Tradition Ten and Controversy
Holding on to Tradition Ten is part of what keeps us coming back. Every fellowship should be a safe haven where we leave all controversial issues at the door. Transformations [offsite link]
Limitless resources for self help and recovery. Trust and a Wheelbarrow
It is so easy to say we have faith and trust in a Higher Power. But when we are put to the test, is it really that simple or do we still want it our way? When we turn our will and lives over to a Higher Power, do we honestly trust 100%? Turning Leaf Press [offsite link]
Recovery wisdom, one day at a time. Victim Behavior [offsite link]
End your "victim behavior" (or what they call "poor me thinking") and find empowerment tips here. Virtual Addiction [offsite link]
Think you might be an Internet addict? Visit here and assess your online time and habits. When Is Service Really Service?
We both need and want to help and to be of service. Every now and then we should examine our motives and our methods. It is never about us; or is it? Links marked with the [offsite link] designation point to websites not associated with BellaOnline.com. BellaOnline.com is not responsible for the material found there.
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