Away

“Well . . . I should clean out my closet, then, I guess.” ― Tim Federle, Five, Six, Seven, Nate! S4E5 steps 4,5,6,7

It's Episode 5 of Season 4 and it's about Steps 1, 2, and 3. The title of this episode references a brilliant lesser known song by Britney Spears.

I mean... I think it is. Take a listen and let me know if you do, too. I mean, let me know even if the solution for you was not AA or the steps. (Oh, and I ramble.)

Take a listen.

The title really says it all. I rant a lot about ... just a lot. And we kinda sorta look at The Doctor's Opinion. Mostly I give my opinions. Even if you don't agree, it may help you better formulate your own ideas and opinions?

I don't really "teach" anything in this episode. I'm thinking out loud about how I would like to see this new season play out. Rather than simply putting The Big Book and The Twelve Steps into the context of history and trying to make it all a little more palatable for 2022, I want to modernize. I want apply a modern lens to the book and the steps. I suppose it would be akin to rewriting it, but since that won't be done anytime soon, it will just be for me and my listeners. And it will NOT be word for word. I also welcome any suggestions, requests, and opinions. Please comment here, on YouTube, or email me at emmabliss57 at gmail dot com.

I vanished. I know. Take a listen to find out why. I really hope you'll rejoin me for an all new series!

In this episode we read through "the promises" that are frequently read at meetings and I use my experience to guide us through them.

Series 4, Episode 3: it’s not as hard as the book makes it sound. And no, you don’t have to believe it god, just yourself.

Series 4, Episode 2: our foundation may be flawed by today’s standards but there is still something for everyone. Let’s start to take the best and leave the rest. And, an allergy, huh?

Series 4, Episode 1: oh my god/God/HP/group/doorknob/whatever YES! We can do this. ALL OF US. When I say all I mean all. AA may not be right for you but it's meant for all. Join me as we go through the Big Book with eye toward inclusivity.

Series 4, Episode 3 the title says it all.

Series 4, Episode 2: the binges begin. Da da daaaaaa.

In the first episode of the fourth series I start to tell my story. My story in all its dirty, shameful glory. Let's get to it.

Who are the professionals? Why can’t we be professional in the rooms of AA? Link to video: https://youtu.be/K4jC8lPiQ0E

Tradition 7 + Blathering. Want to watch instead? See me at https://youtu.be/2asl1O0MBnE

Tradition 6: Singularity of focus.

Watch the video on YouTube if you need a face in these lonesome times: https://youtu.be/sVi9_YPksOM Together we can do what we could not do alone... And then only if we leave all the other noise outside. Tradition 5.

Control is a path to compliance, where autonomy is a path to engagement. In this episode I talk (and rant) about Tradition 4 in AA’s 12 & 12.

You Do You https://youtu.be/zUvcJCxlmK0 Wanna watch this podcast? That’s the link up there so... Now you can! I’m here! That’s me! Talking. Without makeup and terrible lighting but it’s still me! I’m discussing tradition 3 and other stuff.

And we are a changin’ too. Most of us are, amid the COVID-19 crisis, feeling pretty isolated. Some more so than others. Let’s find new ways or rediscover old ways of connecting. Now is chance to be of real service to your fellow human beings. Have you called someone who feels isolated or anxious today? Maybe do that now, before you listen to this brief episode...

This episode (episode 15 of series 3 I think) examines Tradition 2 in the 12&12.

... and, at minimum, is two. Said some great architect once a long time ago. This episode will take us into the first Tradition—our common welfare—in AA’s 12&12.

...is experience. In S3E14 we finish up the first 12 of the 12&12. That’s all folks. New series for the second 12–the traditions—coming soon!

S3E13: Step 11 in the 12&12. Pause. Consider how you can improve yourself and the world around you. What actions can you take that will lead you and your fellow-travelers toward serenity and away from chaos?

Series 3, An Update: thank you for asking and caring! Sorry to have been MIA. This episode is just an explanation of what’s been going on.

S3E12: what we do reflects on how we feel and we can only understand that truth through objective self-examination.

S3E11: making a sincere apology can restore balance to relationship as can accepting it.

S3E10: “The most important trip you may take in life is meeting people halfway.” – Henry Boye

Bonus episode: me and Susan speaking at an in-patient rehab, South Oaks.

S3E10. Let's take a closer look at ideals and humility as we delve into Step 7 in the 12&12. Everything is not black and white. There is no single way to view anything. Ever.

S3E9 We begin Step 6 in the 12&12. We do the best with what we have. We are willing to change.

Series 3, Episode 8: Step 5 in my own words, “admitted to ourselves and someone supportive the exact nature of our wrongs as we understand them when we first embark on this process.” This meaningful connection to our fellow travelers means we can find some relief from the burdens of guilt, shame, remorse, anguish, anger, or anxiety and therefore move forward in our program of recovery and toward a happier life.

"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." --Maya Angelou This is episode 7 of series #, and I guess I'll call it a bonus episode although whether or not it's a bonus to you, I can't say. It's my "qualification" at a recent meeting of The Long Island Group. A really wonderful meeting for beginners formatted similarly to meetings of the Pacific Group in California. I know I put off a few people, but I also hope I helped a few. Thankfully, I stopped trying to make everyone happy all the time a long time ago. Hope you enjoy/benefit/have a laugh. Don't listen if atheists, liberals, or feminists make you angry. ;-) PS Sorry about the sound quality.

S3E6: Was I harmed—real or perceived? Do I bear any responsibility? Maybe not, but if so, what may have caused the feelings that led me to improper handling of the situation? To simplify: did I play a part? What part? And what was the underlying motivation? In this episode we finish up step 4 in the 12&12. But first I talk and rant and talk more and voice a lot of strong opinions. You may wanna fast forward, or take a listen with an open mind.

Series 3, Episode 5 In this episode we begin on Step 4 as it appears in the 12 & 12 and my head... maybe your head, too?

Series 3 Episode 4 some more about me me me. A little about feelings. Mostly about taking step three as ... anyone but meant mostly to help the agnostic and atheist or a sponsor to help the non-believer.

In episode 3 of series 3 I read and rant about Step 2 in the 12&12.

...and you will have the power.” Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote that little nugget. And as we start on Step One in the 12&12, we might see that admitting we are powerless over alcohol gives us another power: the power to change.

In the first episode of series 3 we'll begin to take a look at "The 12 Steps and 12 Traditions" by Bill W. You'll often hear people refer to this as the "12&12." So, I rant a little (how unlike me, I know) and read through the contents section of the book. Why would anyone ever read the contents pages? In this case the contents give a brief summary of each chapter and each chapter is a step or a tradition. Whatever. Let's go!

BreakTime Episode 4: it’s just me “qualifying” at my husband’s home group tonight. Totally spur of the moment. I mention my atheism and the fact that AA should always be inclusive of everyone. I make myself very clear.

BreakTime, Episode 3: Honestly, this is a stream of consciousness episode. From god-sized holes to better living with Zoloft, goal setting to binge eating. In this episode talk about a lot of my experiences with change. Hope it helps. As the great Winston Churchill once said “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.“

BreakTime Series, Episode 2: In the episode I talk about shame and what that word means to me. Using the tone of shame as opposed to raw emotion of it for self-correction, I talk about the usefulness of emotional sensations rather than raw emotions as one way to reach a deep feeling of worthiness.

First, allow me to apologize for the sound quality! I'm just learning how to record conversations. In the first episode of BreakTime series of "Away: A Podcast For Anyone Interested In Exploring Change Through Sobriety" I chat with my sponsee and now dear friend, Susan. She shares her story and many of the insights she's gained living a sober life for the last five years. I hope you like listening to her as much as I like talking to her. Music: The Chapman Run by Living Pulse

We’ll finish this series with “Working With Others”—really the core of the program. And, talk a little about series 3. I would welcome comments and questions about series 3.

Series 2, Episode 16: in this we finish up “Into Action.” It’s a lot about steps 10-11 which are kinda great.

Series 2, Episode 14: More of Into Action and a discussion of “I’m sorry.” As Bryan Davis once said, “Sacrifice is at the heart of repentance. Without deeds your apology is worthless.”

Series 2, Episode 13: in this episode we begin “Into Action” and Step 5. It may not be scary as you think. It may feel like you’re exhaling a breath you’ve been holding for a very long time. Also, I cough a few times because: springtime and asthma. Sorry. I’m too tired to edit out the coughs.

Series 2, Episode 12: In this episode we'll finish up "How It Works," which means we will also finish up looking at the big scary step 4. Spoiler alert: it's not that scary. Like everything else in the whole wide world, it's all about perspective. I promise, there is a way.

...that leads to achievement. Series 2, Episode 11: we make it through like 3 pages of How It Works! Yes that’s it! But it’s all about choosing hope, choosing to trust.

Series 2, Episode 10: How It Works, Part 1 Maybe alcohol WAS a solution, but now it’s at best a problem and more likely a crisis. So that's the first lie, the lie that alcohol will make everything better that needs to be destroyed. Identifying this lie is something we’ve been discussing throughout the last six episodes. By identifying this lie and working to overwrite the neural pathway that the lie uses, we are training ourselves to do it for future “lies.” We have to let go of our old ideas about alcohol and what it does for us. It is not a solution. It is a problem. It is not medicine. It is poison. The chances are that letting go of those old ideas will open you up to the possibility of letting go of other harmful ideas after you’ve worked on 4 and 5 and are entering into 6 and 7.