Good Life

OF THOSE WHOM I DECEIVED… I WAS FIRST IN LINE

Main Menu

Skip to content
  • Home
  • About Me

Tag Archives: alcoholism

Step 4: Distinctions Between Selfish and Self-Seeking in AA

December 28, 2016by Heidi

Looking for the difference between selfish and self-seeking? Read this…

Read Article →
Step 4 Tips

You Don’t Say (to an addict)

Featuredby Heidi

When tied is a good thing.

Read Article →
Addiction and Relationships, Relating to Addicts

Functional Alcoholic Signs

October 24, 2016by Heidi

It’s so tricky to diagnose that I had friends telling me I couldn’t be alcoholic, even though I knew I was.

Read Article →
Addiction and Relationships, Relating to Addicts, Step 1 Tips

Step 1: Raising The White Flag

October 3, 2016by Heidi

When I first quit drinking, I had a friend in AA that would wish ‘pitiful and incomprehensible demoralization’ on his drinking buddies.

Read Article →
12 Steps, Step 1 Tips

What Do They Mean…Do The Next Right Thing?

September 23, 2016by Heidi

Some people just naturally know what their NRT is. Do you?

Read Article →
Step 1, Step 1 Application, Step 1 Tips

Step 3: Part 6 The Director

September 1, 2016by Heidi

It’s not my role to direct others. It’s my role to love them, support them by listening, and pray for them to find God’s direction

Read Article →
12 Steps, Step 3 Tips

Step 3: Part 5 Lessons From The 70s on Willingness

May 10, 2016by Heidi

My life lesson plan was handed to me with my bed tray at the age of 23!

Read Article →
12 Steps, Step 3, Step 3 Application, Step 3 Tips

Step 3: Part 4 Flat-Out Decision

May 9, 2016by Heidi

The way out was to get a clue! I thought I was supposed to be in charge of my own life, so I was.

Read Article →
12 Steps, Step 3 Tips

Step 3 Part 2: ABCs of AA

May 8, 2016by Heidi

Bill’s principles of AA… I laughed out loud when I heard this. (Learn what hit the editor’s floor.)

Read Article →
12 Steps, Step 3, Step 3 Tips

Step 3: Part 1 Connected

May 7, 2016by Heidi

My life wasn’t happy, but I felt like I was in control. For some reason, that made sense to me.

Read Article →
12 Steps, Step 3

Step 3: Self-willed and Controlling? Who…Me?

May 5, 2016by Heidi

I don’t understand the intricate workings of denial, but I’m at the same time, well-acquainted with it.

Read Article →
Spirituality, Step 3, Step 3 Application, Step 3 Tips

Step 3: Examine Inconsistencies

May 1, 2016by Heidi

Here’s the confession: When I’m doing well, it’s not really me doing it. It’s the power within.

Read Article →
Spirituality, Step 3 Tips

Finding Someone to Sponsor

March 11, 2016by Heidi

Jot these questions in your cell so you’re prepared.

Read Article →
AA, Start Sponsoring, Step 12 Tips

Do You Have the Necessary Tools For Sponsorship?

March 10, 2016by Heidi

Should you be a sponsor?

Read Article →
AA, Sponsoring, Start Sponsoring, Step 12 Tips

To Quote My Favorite Philosopher, “NIP IT!”

August 16, 2014by Heidi

She said, “Heidi, I don’t know why anyone calls you when they’re having problems.”

Read Article →
AA, Step 12 Tips

Google Me Alcoholic

August 13, 2014by Heidi

What do you mean, alcoholic?

Read Article →
AA, Heidi HO

90 Meetings?

July 3, 2014by Heidi

Are we keeping the gate closed?

Read Article →
AA, Step 12 Tips

Welcome To Recovery of Action

June 9, 2014by Heidi

WHICH WAY?

Read Article →
AA, Step 1 Tips

Clean Sweep

March 31, 2013by Heidi

Pick up a broom and give it a whirl!

Read Article →
AA, Step 12 Application

What Is God’s Will?

March 24, 2013by Heidi

I no longer feel I have to ‘prove’ anything to you or to me

Read Article →
AA, Step 1 Tips

Anxiety: Part 2 Hey There! Hold On A Sec!

September 27, 2012by Heidi

There’s a lot of ‘holding’ going on during the last three points.

Read Article →
AA, Step 1 Tips

Anxiety: Part 1 Pull on the Nail

September 26, 2012by Heidi

Can you find something that weighs on your mind?

Read Article →
12 Steps, Beginnings, Step 1 Tips

Pay No Attention to the Man Behind the Curtain

September 23, 2012by Heidi

My life would make a better movie than it does a life.

Read Article →
AA, Step 1 Application

STOP…GO…STOP!

August 8, 2012by Heidi

So what do we do if we can’t trust our thinking?

Read Article →
12 Steps, Step 1 Application

Step 4: Column 5 Character Defects and The Foul Four

July 9, 2012by Heidi

Putting out of our minds the wrongs other had done, we resolutely looked for our own mistakes.

Read Article →
12 Steps, Step 4, Step 4 Tips

Step 4: Column 4 Ya But…

July 3, 2012by Heidi

Ya but… (wheeze) the other guy is the problem! You’re just the victim, here.

Read Article →
12 Steps, Step 4, Step 4 Tips

Step 4: Column 4 Tattletale

June 29, 2012by Heidi

So, what’s wrong with being a Tattletale?

Read Article →
12 Steps, Step 4, Step 4 Tips

Step 4: Are You A Friend Among Friends?

June 27, 2012by Heidi

I was not. I’m still learning. At one time I thought I had the perfect life but it was built upon the proverbial shifting sand of illusions about myself. The […]

Read Article →
12 Steps, Step 4, Step 4 Application

Step 4: Column 2 The Cause Knot

June 24, 2012by Heidi

Now that we have the first column naming people, institutions and principles we can move on to the second column.  (Refer to the Not Scary Resentments Worksheet of Step 4 in […]

Read Article →
12 Steps, Step 4, Step 4 Tips

Step 4: Why It Works Like a Sticky Trap For Rats of Resentment

June 22, 2012by Heidi

Do you have an inexplicable feeling of pending doom? Do you feel deep down lonely…

Read Article →
12 Steps, Step 4, Step 4 Application

Step 4: Column 1 Resentments, The Number One Offender

June 20, 2012by Heidi

Take a good look at anything that riles you. What are your pet peeves?

Read Article →
12 Steps, Step 4, Step 4 Tips

Step 4: Dirty Urchins, Raggedy People and Drunks

June 13, 2012by Heidi

Everything was dirty, broken, piled up and rusty. I kept gagging…

Read Article →
12 Steps, Step 4 Application

Step 4: As Long As You’re Green You’re Growing…

June 8, 2012by Heidi

as soon as you’re ripe, you rot! There’s a lot of ripe ones out there…

Read Article →
12 Steps, Step 4, Step 4 Application

Step 2: AA Drifter Returns to the Bunkhouse of Childhood Faith

May 21, 2012by Heidi

I have the clearest memory of childhood discussions and a collection of bunkhouse adventures with God. This skinless friend was more real …

Read Article →
Spirituality, Step 11 Application

Step 3: What Grows in the Dark?

May 8, 2012by Heidi

What keeps you awake at night?

Read Article →
12 Steps, Spirituality, Step 3 Tips

Step 3: The Key To Making Decisions

May 5, 2012by Heidi

Step 3 is not the action of turning our will and lives over, it’s deciding to do so. Let’s get specific. Which decision making elements do you usually use?

Read Article →
12 Steps, Step 3 Tips

Step 3: Questions and Directions

April 30, 2012by Heidi

There is something in me that rebels against familiar authoritarianism. Do I really want someone else to tell me what to think again? I hope not.

Read Article →
12 Steps, Step 3 Tips

How Did I Set My Password For AA Serenity?

April 25, 2012by Heidi

During early sobriety it seemed that all the characters around the table except me had a secret password that allowed them to log into a new life of peace and serenity. I’d never seen anything like these hooligans.

Read Article →
AA Meetings, Step 11 Application

Step 3: Whistling In The Dark

April 21, 2012by Heidi

Do I miss drinking? Sometimes. I miss it to the extent that I’m still insane. I was not created for self-destruction but alcohol is a one way ticket to that insanity. It waits.

Read Article →
12 Steps, Spirituality, Step 3 Tips

Step 3: I Can Skip This if I’m a Christian, Right?

April 19, 2012by Heidi

The question I should have asked when I dropped into AA was, Is there a difference between step 3 and salvation for a Christian?

Read Article →
12 Steps, Step 3 Application

Step 11: Do You Meditate In Color?

April 15, 2012by Heidi

This is my prayer corner. The colored pencils are from Iowa. I bought them at an art supply store when I started coloring during prayer. Bear with me. I can explain…maybe.

Read Article →
Spirituality, Step 11 Tips

Is Your God Silent? Are you?

April 11, 2012by Heidi

Before I got sober at the age of 55, I was trapped by an ice storm at an abbey near Dubuque, in NE Iowa. I don’t think that’s a coincidence. […]

Read Article →
Spirituality, Step 3 Tips

Step 4: Fearless Moral Inventory Shortcut

March 27, 2012by Heidi

Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. That’s Step 4, perhaps the scariest few words Bill W strung together in this 12 Step program. It seems to me […]

Read Article →
12 Steps, Step 4 Tips

No Disk

March 18, 2012by Heidi

My addiction started harmlessly.

Read Article →
Sober Living, Step 1 Application

Unconflicted and Better Than a Hallelujah

March 5, 2012by Heidi

I agree with Chaz and his Unconflicted post. I am unconcerned about Bill’s personal life. He was a tool for getting the Biblical principles into our hands. I was not […]

Read Article →
AA Big Book, Reblogged Inspiration, Step 12 Application

Step 3: Gargantua Tarantula

March 1, 2012by Heidi

It’s 12 Steps, not 2. The Old Timers I love and respect are those who have serenity gained from taking all 12 and continuing to live in the principles.

Read Article →
12 Steps, Step 3 Tips

Peace on Earth to (Sober) Men

December 26, 2011by Heidi

Peace started for me during Step One when I admitted I was not all-powerful; that alcohol had me by the throat!

Read Article →
12 Steps, Step 1 Application

Victim Veins Revisited

December 22, 2011by Heidi

You call it love. For years, all I wrote was bad, tragic and tearful poetry. Then life got better because I got sober and I gave up poetry. Suddenly, this […]

Read Article →
12 Steps, Step 12 Application

After Stepping Fourth!

December 12, 2011by Heidi

The truth will set you free, to the extent that you recognize it and cooperate with it.

Read Article →
12 Steps, Step 5 Tips

Forgiveness and Murder

November 13, 2011by Heidi

Mary Johnson befriended the man who murdered her only son and then invited him to come live next door

Read Article →
12 Steps, Step 10 Application

Post navigation

1 2 3 Next →
  • Steps Help
    • The 12 Steps
      • STEPS 1 – 5
        • STEP 1 TIPS
        • STEP 2 TIPS
        • STEP 3 TIPS
        • STEP 4 TIPS
        • STEP 5 TIPS
      • STEPS 6 – 9
        • STEP 6 TIPS
        • STEP 7 TIPS
        • STEP 8 TIPS
        • STEP 9 TIPS
      • STEPS 10 – 12
        • STEP 10 TIPS
        • STEP 11 TIPS
        • STEP 12 TIPS
  • BABY STEPS FOR THE 4TH STEP
    • BABY STEPS INVENTORY DAYS 1 – 7
      • DAYS 1 – 4
        • Baby Stepping Fourth: Day 1, Get Ready
        • Baby Stepping Fourth: Day 2, Column 1
        • Baby Stepping Fourth: Day 3, Column 1 Continued
        • Baby Stepping Fourth: Day 4, Column 2
      • DAYS 5-7
        • Baby Stepping Fourth: Day 5, Column 3
        • Baby Stepping Fourth: Day 6, Column 4
        • Baby Stepping Fourth: Day 7, Column 5
    • FEARS INVENTORY TIPS
      • Baby Stepping Fourth: Fears Part 1, Columns 1& 2
      • Baby Stepping Fourth: Fears Part 2, Column 3
      • Baby Stepping Fourth: Fears Part 3, Column 4
      • Baby Stepping Fourth: Fears Part 4, Column 5
    • HARMS INVENTORY TIPS
      • Baby Stepping Fourth: Sexual Harms Part 1
      • Baby Stepping Fourth: Sexual Harms Part 2
  • OOFTA!
  • HEIDI HO
  • BLOG

Search GoodLife

Join 492 other followers

Simple Not So Scary Worksheets

Not So Scary Worksheets

Copyrighted

Creative Commons License

Top Posts & Pages

Baby Stepping Fourth: Sexual Harms Part 1
Step 4: Part 8 Talkin' Trash and Sex
Blog at WordPress.com.
Cancel