NEW WEBSITE IS AVAILABLE

Our new website is available at http://thursday.12stepstudyworkshop.com/. Please bookmark this.

The writing assignments and recordings available there.

Recording for February 5, 2009

Download MP3 » Week Twenty Recording February 5, 2009

Audio for Week 20 Feb 5, 2009
Please be patient, it is a large file and can take several minutes to start playing.

You can also subscribe through the RSS feed and listen through iTunes. You can also listen at Odeo Podcasts Website.

Writing Assignment for February 5, 2009

Words: solemn oath, sanitarium, asylum, abruptly, humiliated, lurking

Questions: How many times did you try to quit your addiction by using your own will power? Share about your experiences.

What is your will power good for now?

Recording for January 29, 2009

Download MP3 » Week Nineteen Recording January 29, 2009

Audio for Week 19 Jan 29, 2009
Please be patient, it is a large file and can take several minutes to start playing.

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Writing assignment: January 29th, 2009

Writing assignment #1: Read Big Book page 30, Paragraph 2: “We learned that we had to fully concede to our inner most selves that we were alcoholics. This is the first step in recovery. The delusion that we are like other people, or presently may be, has to be smashed.”
Is there any delusion left in you at all, that you are like other people, and can drink like them? Have you conceded to your inner most selves that you are a “real alcoholic”?

Writing assignment #2: Read Big Book page 30, Paragraph 3: We alcoholics are men and women who have lost the ability to control our drinking. We know that no real alcoholic EVER recovers control. All of us felt at times that we were regaining control, but such intervals-usually brief-were inevitably followed by still less control, which led in time to pitiful and incopprehensible demoralization.”
Can you identify and relate to this statement? Write about your experiences and trying to control your addiction, and write about any doubts you have about your powerlessness.

Words to look up:
vain
obsession
abnormal
illusion
concede
delusion
insanity
incoprehensible
demoralization
progressiveremedy
deception
inability

Writing Assignment for Janary 22, 2009

In the Twelve and Twelve:

Question 1: Read Paragraph 2, Page 21. No other kind of bankruptcy
is like this one. Alcohol, now become the rapacious creditor, bleeds
us of all self-sufficiency and all will to resist its demands. Once
this stark fact is accepted, our bankruptcy as going human concerns
is complete. Write about your experience with this statement.

Question 2: Read Paragraph 1, Page 22. The tyrant alcohol wielded a
double-edged sword over us: first we were smitten by an insane urge
that condemned us to go on drinking, and then by an allergy of the
body that insured we would ultimately destroy ourselves in the
process. Write about your experience with this statement.

Recording for January 22, 2009

Download MP3 » Week Eighteen Recording January 22, 2009

Audio for Week 18 Jan 22, 2009
Please be patient, it is a large file and can take several minutes to start playing.

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Recording for January 15, 2009 (start AA’s Twelve & Twelve)

Download MP3 » Week Seventeen Recording January 15, 2009

Audio for Week 17 Jan 15, 2009
Please be patient, it is a large file and can take several minutes to start playing.

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Writing Assignment for January 15, 2009

From the AA 12 & 12 on page 15: paragraph #3

AA’s Twelve Steps are a group of principles, spiritual in their
nature, which, if practiced as a way of life, can expel the obsession
to drink and enable the sufferer to become happily and usefully whole.

1. Take each of the twelve steps and in your own words, write out the
principle in each one.

2. How are you going to practice each principle in your life?

3. Do you believe that if you practice these principles in your life
that the obsession to drink will be expelled, and that you will
become happily and usefully whole?

Writing assignment for January 8, 2009

Write about the two parts of step one

1. I admit that I am powerless over ____

2. Life unmanageable ____

Writing Assignment for January 1, 2009

Writing assignment:

1. Page 14 ‘Simple, but not easy; a price had to be paid’

1. what’s simple –

2. what’s not easy.

3. what’s the price you have to pay.

2. “It means destruction of self-centeredness.”

1. What does this means to you, and what have been your experience.

Recording for January 8, 2009

Download MP3 » Week Sixteen Recording January 8, 2009

Audio for Week 16 Jan 8, 2009
Please be patient, it is a large file and can take several minutes to start playing.

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New Big Book Step Study meeting starting April 6, 2009

There will be a new big book step study meeting starting on Monday, April 6, 2009 at 2:30PM EST. The telephone number and code is in the right column of this website.

Recording for January 1, 2009

Please note: There was a recording created for the meeting which was held on January 1, 2009. We will post it as soon as it is available.

Recording for December 26, 2008

Download MP3 » Week Fifteen Recording December 26, 2008

Audio for Week 15 Dec 26, 2008
Please be patient, it is a large file and can take several minutes to start playing.

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Writing assignment for December 26, 2008

Words:unreservedly
appallingly

1. page 12 Paragraph 5 “For a brief moment,…………… Take each sentence and write about your experience with what Bill is feeling and saying in his story.

2. Page 13 Paragraph 2 “There I humbly offered…………… Do the same thing as above. Write about your experience with what Bill did in surrendering to God in the detox. Can you identify?

Recording for December 18, 2008

Download MP3 » Week Fourteen Recording December 18, 2008

Audio for Week 14 Dec 18, 2008
Please be patient, it is a large file and can take several minutes to start playing.

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Writing Assignment for December 18, 2008

Words:
vestiges
prejudice
antipathy

Writing:
1.In twelve step recovery fellowships we must surrender to win (Step 1) What does this mean to you? What has been your experience with surrendering and winning? What has been your experience with not surrendering?

2. Write on: “Why don’t you choose your own conception of God?” What is your conception of God? Do you like having the choice of choosing your own conception?

Recording for December 11, 2008

Download MP3 » Week Thirteen Recording December 11, 2008

Audio for Week 13 Dec 11, 2008
Please be patient, it is a large file and can take several minutes to start playing.

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Writing assignment for December 11, 2008

Thursdays Words:
atheist
chicanery
trudging
incurable

1. How do you feel about having a personal relationship with God?

2. The 12 steps are moral code for living. To experience a spiritual recovery one must live this way of life in all their affairs, and not adopt those parts which seem inconvenient and too difficult. Am I willing to do the work to achieve this spiritual experience and live it daily to keep it?

Recording for December 4, 2008

Download MP3 » Week Twelve Recording December 4, 2008

Audio for Week 12 Dec 4, 2008
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Writing assignment for December 4, 2008

Thursdays words:
sots
morass
debauch
catapulted
proffered
temperance

Writing assignment:
We are on page 8 of Bill’s story “No words can tell of the loneliness and despair
I found in that bitter morass of self-pity. Quicksand stretched
around me in all directions. I had met my match. I had been
overwhelmed. Alcohol was my master.” Write on this paragraph. What
is your experience? When you read this, what feelings arise? Can you
relate to Bill’s description? Why is it necessary to relive this
bleak, hopeless, and miserable time in your life?

Writing assignment for November 28, 2008

Writing assignment:

delirium tremens
prodigious
cocksureness
oblivion

questions
1. page 5 Paragraph #4: “I woke up. This had to be stopped. I saw I
could not take so much as one drink. I was through forever.
……..Shortly afterward I came home drunk. There had been no fight.
Where had been my high resolve? I simply didn’t know. It hadn’t even
come to mind. Can you relate to this? Dig deep into your past
experiences with your substance of “no choice”. Write as much as you
can remember, going into as much detail as you can remember. Keeping
in mind we are building our foundation for the rest of the steps on
our deep seeded belief that we are utterly and hopelessly powerless
over ___________(you fill in the blank).

2. page 6 paragraph #1: The remorse, horror and hopelessness of the
next morning are unforgettable. Take each of these feelings and again
dig deep into your core and relive these feelings you experienced
after a relapse. Step one is not a pleasant step, it is a step of
hopelessness. That is the only FIRM foundation that the other steps
can be built on, so if your feeling depressed, good, your getting the
true sense of what it is to not be able to move on to recovery.

Recording for November 28, 2008

Download MP3 » Week Eleven Recording November 28, 2008

Audio for Week 11 Nov 28, 2008
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Writing Assignment for November 20, 2008

First to answer a question I received this week: Yes, it is o.k. to pass on the “set aside” prayer. In fact it is a act of loving kindness to do so, for it helps a person become teachable and humble and learn what their Higher Power wants them to learn. The author is unknown to me. I received this prayer at a Big Book step study workshop at the Bill Wilson Inn. It’s in Dorset, Vermont.

Thursday night, Nov. 20th writing assignment:
words;
progression
maelstrom
alloy
lunacy
procured
remonstrances
deluded

Questions;
1. pg. 3 Bill’s Story Paragraph 1; “I made a host of fair-weather friends”. What is your experience with these types of friends while you were active in your addiction? While you were in early recovery? Now? Concentrate on what type of friend you were/are.

2. How has delusion of your addiction played a part in your life? How has it prevented you from doing the next right action?

Road to Decision

» Road to Decision

Road to Decision

Recording for November 20, 2008

Download MP3 » Week Ten Recording November 20, 2008

Audio for Week 10 Nov 20, 2008
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Writing Assignment for November 13, 2008

Words:
precipitates
caldron
seething
entire
pathological
deterioration
scoff
sublime
fancied

writing assignment:
1. What constitutes “entire abstinence” for you and for your fellowship?

2. “I (Bill W) was very lonely and again turned to alcohol?” What did
you turn to when you were lonely? Explore how loneliness has
contributed to you picking up your addiction or addictions.

Recording for November 13, 2008

Download MP3 » Week Nine Recording November 13, 2008

Audio for Week 9 Nov 13, 2008
You can also subscribe through the RSS feed and listen through iTunes. You can also listen at Odeo Podcasts Website.

IMPORTANT NOTE: PLEASE READ

When sharing on the Sunday night Big Book step study meeting, please identify yourself as; I’m …………, and I’m reading. Please do not state that you are in Stephanie’s workshop, for it is a break of my anonymity.

Writing assignment for November 6, 2008

Words:
aggregate
align
psychopath
manifestation
eradicated
abstinence

writing assignment:

1. All these, and many others, have one symptom in common: they
cannot start drinking without developing the phenomenon of craving.
Write about your experience with this.

2. There are five classifications of alcoholics listed on page 6 of
the Doctor’s Opinion. Write on your experience with the five different types.

3. Write on your experience of “the only relief we have to suggest is
entire abstinence.

Recording for November 6, 2008

Download MP3 » Week Eight Recording November 6, 2008

Audio for Week 8 Nov 6, 2008
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Recording for October 30, 2008

Download MP3 » Week Seven Recording October 30, 2008

Audio for Week 7 Oct 30, 2008

You can subscribe through the RSS feed and listen through iTunes. You can also listen at Odeo Podcasts Website.

Listen to this podcast episode at the link below:
» http://odeo.com/episodes/23555116-Recording-for-October-30-2006

Writing assignment for October 30, 2008

Writing assignment:
Explain what a psychic change means to you?

What is Bill talking about “the only effort necessary being that
required to follow a few simple rules”.

Step one is the foundation step for all the other steps. Step one
tells us that putting down the addictive substance/activity is a life
or death proposition. What are the implications of this statement to
you and how you live your life?

Writing assignment for October 23, 2008

Words:
inadequacy
aggregate

Writing assignment:

Have you experienced an entire psychic change? If you have, explain
how the process happened.

If not, what do you think is standing in the way?

AFFIRMATIONS Worksheet

Affirmations worksheet

Let go and let God. I need to trust God to help me get through every day whether it is a good day or a bad day.

God will make all things right if I will surrender to his will.

God can solve all my problems! I need to take all my problems to God first in prayer and meditation, then to others. God works through people.

God loves me just the way I am.

God help me keep an open mind about all things. A mind is like a parachute; it works better when it is open.

God plans results that I can’t even imagine. Trust God.

God I cannot do this on my own. Please help me.

Blame no-one but myself. Trust God, not evil. God’s mercy and grace, not my will. Gratefulness instead of ungratefulness. Be thankful instead of being selfish and self-centered.

Thank you God for all you do for me. Let me always put my complete trust in you for all things. Amen.

Matthew 6:33: Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness – the rest will be added to you.

God is good all the time. All the time, God is good.

God loves me as I am.

God shall supply all my needs.

God, please help me know that if I trust in you, everything will be all right.

God, please embrace my family and direct their lives.

God I hear you say: Live! Life’s a banquet and most poor souls are starving to death.

God sees you as you can become, but loves you just the way you are.

God please give me an attitude of gratitude. God please allow me to be happy with all my accomplishments.

Happiness is not the absence of joy. It is the presence of God.

H.A.L.T.: Don’t get too hungry, angry lonely, or tired.

AFFIRMATIONS Page 2

Be kind to yourself. Awareness without action is self abuse.

All is forgiven. Forgive yourself and be gentle with yourself.

You have a beautiful heart!

I am truly a woman of love, honor, and dignity.

I am enough. I have enough. Nothing tastes as good as abstinance feels. Surrendering means agreeing to cooperate.

If the only prayer you ever said was, Thank you”, that would be enough.

Happiness is not getting what you want; it’s wanting what you have.

Humility is the perpetual quietness of heart.

Take away my difficulties. Remove from me the bondage of self.

Recording for October 16, 2008

Download MP3 » Week Six Recording October 16, 2008

If you have trouble with the playback speed of the sound file, try downloading the most recent flash player from Adobe.com or listen with Internet Explorer not Firefox. Alternately, subscribe through the RSS feed and listen through iTunes. You can also listen at Odeo Podcasts Website.

Link to this episode: » http://www.odeo.com/episodes/23504432-Recording-for-October-16-2006

Writing Assignment for October 16, 2008

Words:
1. essentially
2. sensation
3. elusive
4. injurious
5. differentiate
6. impunity
7. succumbed
8. phenomenon

Writing assignment:
pg.4 Doctors opinion, last paragraph
To them, their alcoholic life seems the only normal one. They are
restless, irritable and discontented, unless they can again
experience the sense of ease and comfort which comes at once by
taking a few drinks………

Write about your experience with feeling restless, irritable and
discontented before you used your particular drug before you came
into recovery.

Write about your experience with feeling restless, irritable and
discontented after you entered recovery.

Write about letting go of feeling restless, irritable and
discontented and becoming joyful, contented, and serene, and what you
are willing to do to reach this goal.

Readings on the 12 steps in the Big Book Worksheet

» Readings on the 12 steps in the Big Book

READINGS ON THE TWELVE STEPS IN THE BIG BOOK

STEP 1 1st Half: “We admitted we were powerless over alcohol……”
The Doctor’s Opinion page xxiii

STEP 1 2nd Half: “….that our lives had become unmanageable.”
Chapter 3: More About Alcoholism pages 30-43

STEP 2 “Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.”
Chapter 4: We Agnostics pages 44-57 & Spiritual Experience Appendix II, pg. 569
Chapter 2: There is a Solution pages 17-29

STEP 3 “Made a decision to turn our lives over to the care of God as we understood him.”
Chapter 5: How It Works Pages 58-63

STEP 4 “Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.”
Part 1 Resentments pages 64-67
Part 2 Fear pages 67-68
Part 3 Sex pages 68-71

STEP 5 “Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another person the exact nature of our wrongs.”
Chapter 6: Into Action pages 72-75

STEP 6 “Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.”
1st paragraph on page 76

STEP 7 “Humbly asked him to remove our shortcomings.”
2nd paragraph on page 76

STEP 8 Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.” **see directions for Step 9

STEP 9 “Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.” ** Reading for steps 8 & 9 on pages 76 – 84

STEP 10 “Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.”
pages 84-85

STEP 11 “Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood him, praying only for knowledge of his will for us and the power to carry that out.”
pages 85-88

STEP 12 1st Half:
“Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics…”
Chapter 7: Working with Others pages 89-96

STEP 12 2nd Half: “….and to practice these principles in all our affairs.”
Beginning with “suppose” pages 96-103

5 Prayers

» Five Prayers (download pdf)

The prayers contained in this handout are:

• SERENITY PRAYER
• THIRD STEP PRAYER
• SEVENTH STEP PRAYER
• TENTH STEP PRAYER
• ELEVENTH STEP PRAYER

Set Aside Prayer

SET ASIDE PRAYER

» Set Aside Prayer (download word document)

“God, please set aside everything I think I know about myself, the twelve steps, this book, the meetings, my disease, and you, God, so I may have an open mind and a new experience with all these things, please let me see the truth.”

Recording for October 2, 2008

Download MP3 » Week Five Recording October 2, 2008

Writing assignment for October 2, 2008

Chronic
phenomenon
craving
temperate
frothy
suffices
ideals
altruistic

Writing assignment;
We believe, and so suggested a few years ago, that the action of alcohol on these chronic alcoholics is a manifestation of an allergy; Do you believe this statement? What is your experience?

These allergic types can never safely use alcohol in any form at all; Do you believe this statement? What is your experience?

Writing Assignment for September 25, 2008

recovered
cured
choice
synthetic
chronic

The writing assignment:
1. Do you believe in your fellowship? Why?
2. Do you believe still more in the Power (God) which pulls chronic alcoholics (addicts) back from the gates of death. Why?

Writing assignment for September 18, 2008

epoch
compulsion
obsession
allergy
altruistic

The writing assignment:
Do you believe that the body is as sick as the mind? Share your experience.

Recording for September 25, 2008

Download MP3 » Week Four Recording September 25, 2008

How to use this website

Posts will be added below the description of the facilitator and the workshop. To see posts grouped by subject click the category you wish to access from the links to the right under the title “Categories”. If you are not able to find a writing assignment or phone conference recording it may mean that it is not available yet. To view a post on a page by itself click the headline of the post.

Subscribe to podcast through RSS feeds

Access the RSS feed at this link or click the orange square in the right column of the page: http://feeds.feedburner.com/wordpress/TmnY

Choose add it with iTunes and Subscibe using iTunes.

You can listen at the Odeo website at this URL:

http://odeo.com/channels/2117557-Stephanie-s-Big-Book-Step-Study-Workshop

What is an RSS feed and how do I subscribe?

RSS is an acronym for “Real Simple Syndication”. There is a cute video which explains this term. RSS Feeds in Plain English

How to subscribe to the RSS feed from this blog?

Click the orange button under the categories in the right hand column. Follow the directions on the next screens. Or click the link below.

Subscribe to the RSS feed

Subscribing from the orange button or from the link above will allow you the option to subscribe using iTunes. You can also use Odeo as your podcast delivery website.

You can listen at the Odeo website at this URL:

http://odeo.com/channels/2117557-Stephanie-s-Big-Book-Step-Study-Workshop

Linda

Recording for September 18, 2008

Download MP3 » Week Three-The Doctor’s Opinion

Daily A.A. Big Book Phone Meeting

There is a daily A.A. phone meeting that welcomes all fellowships at 10 pm EST. at 641-715-3600 pin744795#. You come into the meeting unmuted…*6 to mute and unmute.

This is especially helpful to those who live in remote area where there is not a Big Book Study or for those who cannot attend face to face meetings or just want to attend the phone bridge meeting. to They are in need of support in chair person positions for the daily noon meeting and for the nightly meetings attendance. Please feel free to participate in this fellowship and become a part of the “We” portion of the program.

Janet

Recording for September 11, 2008

Download MP3 » Week two–starting the doctor’s opinion

Phone list for the Thursday Big Book Step Study Workshop

How do I get a phone list?

The phone list will be coming out soon. If you would like to
be added or receive the list then email thrsbbss@gmail.com with your
First name, Last Initial, time zone, phone number, and email address.
If you would like to include your cell carrier, such as Sprint or
Verizon, that is fine.

Writing Assignment for September 11, 2008

Words:
1. anonymous
2. avocation
3. afflicted
4. helpful
5. estimate

Writing assignment: Bill W. had to go to treatment for his alcoholism three times before he was able to stay sober and contribute toothers. Write a brief history of your recovery journey up to this point. Write about what you have learned, from your recovery history, that you now need to do on a daily basis to stay sober.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the requirements to belong to this group?
This is an All Addictions Big Book Step Study workshop, so anyone
from any twelve step fellowship is welcome. There is no attendance
or sobriety/abstinence requirement. I will be asking all participants
to attend at least one Big Book step study meeting a week and do a
fifteen minute quiet time each day. I will give a weekly writing
assignment that will deepen their understanding of the pages I went
over in that weeks workshop. I will also give participants words from
that nights reading to look up in a dictionary. These assignment are
completely voluntary. I suggest that you read them to your fellowship
sponsor or get someone from the workshop with whom you can share them.

2. What constitutes a Big Book step study meeting?
There is an All Addictions Big Book step study meeting every Sunday
night at 8 p.m. EST, and every first Monday of the month at 2:30 p.m.
EST, on the phone bridge. The number is the same as our Thursday
workshop, refer to the sidebar on the website for the correct phone number and pin. You can go on
http://www.bigbookstepstudy.com and find a meeting that’s in your area.

2. What constitutes a quiet time?
I suggest starting with a prayer of your choice. Then read a piece of
recovery or spiritual literature. Write on what you’ve read, and then
meditate for at least five minutes on a word, phrase, or concept that
came from the reading.

3. What do I need in way of supplies?
You need a Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous (any edition for the
first 164 pages are all the same), a three ring binder (notebook),
loose leaf paper, pen, and WILLINGNESS.

4. Are we an official twelve step group?

No, we are not affiliated with any twelve step fellowship. This is an independent act of service on my part (Stephanie-see bio). We are a group of twelve step people, who come together to study the steps as they are laid out in the Big Book of AA, and to develop and/or deepen our relationship with our Higher Power. This group has one facilitator for the entire twelve step process, which goes against how official twelve step groups work. To be an official twelve step group, there must be a singleness of purpose, not all addictions together, and there must be a rotation of service positions. This is why I ask you not to mention this group or our website at your specific fellowship meetings, IT BREAKS TRADITIONS, and puts us into controversy. Please use word of mouth, or after the meeting is over ask for permission to announce this workshop. I call it a workshop so no one will in anyway get us confused with a official twelve step meeting.

5. How long will this workshop last?
It takes about eight to nine months to go through steps one, two, and
three. We then take approximately 24 weeks to write our fourth step.
Then the next eight steps will take ten months. I would estimate it
will take two years to complete all twelve steps. This is an unusual
workshop because I go line by line, paragraph by paragraph. I dissect
each line, and then give my experience, strength and hope on the
principal or concept they are talking about. This workshop has depth
and weight, and is not for everyone who wants to skim over the
material and start writing their fourth step. I understand that
want/need and encourage you to find a Big Book step study sponsor and
read through steps 1, 2, 3 in a few hours and start writing. Many
people have successfully done the steps that way, and I see value to
it being done that way. I have chosen to do a workshop on the way I
was taken through the steps. My sponsor went over each page in detail
and answered my many questions, so I am going to give you a similar
experience that I had.

6. What if I miss a lot of the workshops for various reasons?
You now have the option of listening to the workshops on the website;
https://stephaniesbigbookstepstudy.wordpress.com. I do advise you to
listen to as many as you can before you come back. I don’t go over
material again on the workshops. I do give a make up on a Sunday
afternoon right before the group starts the fourth step. It will be
a three to four hour make up, but it is not as extensive as each week
on the workshop. That make up will be taped and will be offered on
the website and can be purchased as a CD.

7. What is the Set Aside Prayer?

“God please set aside everything I think I know about myself, the twelve steps, this book, the meetings, my disease. But most especially God, help me to set aside everything I think I know about YOU, so that I may have an open mind and a new experience with all these things, please let me see the truth.”

This prayer is to help us who have been in the halls of recovery for
some time, who have done the steps in other way, stay humble, and
teachable. This prayer is to help us realize that we need to be
always working on our relationship with our Higher Power through
working the twelve steps as they are laid out in the Big Book.

8. How do I listen to the conference call on my iPod?

1. In Stephanie’s blog where it says (for example): “MP3 file to download: » Week one-foreward to first edition,” RIGHT click on the link.
2. Choose “Save Target As”.
3. Save this into your “Music Transfer” Folder on your computer
4. Open iTunes
5. In iTunes click, on the top left, click “File” and then “Add File to Library”
6. You’ll see it’s now in iTunes (easiest way to see it is to click “Recently Added” section on the left hand side of iTunes and you’ll see it on top. You can move this to your iPod from there.

9. I can’t find the recording for this week, what do I do and how do I get a phone list?

If the recording is not up on the website there may be a technical delay. Please be patient with those that are doing this service. If you miss the call and would like to know what was discussed then call your step study fellows, this is always recommended even when the recording is posted. The phone list will be coming out soon. If you would like to be added or receive the list then email thrsbbss@gmail.com with your First name, Last Initial, time zone, phone number, and email address. If you would like to include your cell carrier, such as Sprint or Verizon, that is fine.

10. When I leave a comment on this website, what does it mean, “waiting on moderation?” And do we need to log in?

Your comment will be entered into a que so that the content can be reviewed before it shows on the website. This will ensure that all comments posted will be relevant to the topic of the All Addictions Big Book Step Study. Sharing comments of your experience, strength, and hope with others on this website is encouraged and appreciated.

11. Who do I share my writing assignment with?

Your writing assignment is to be shared with your specific fellowship sponsor. Additionally, when it is time for your fifth step you will share it with your specific fellowship sponsor. Stephanie is your step study sponsor (unless you have someone else you are working with) however you will work on your writing assignments with your fellowship sponsor.

12. Can I announce the conference call at my fellowship meetings?

NO. This is an All Addictions Big Book Step Study workshop. The sole purpose of this workshop is to study and experience the steps as they are laid out in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. We are not affiliated with any Twelve step fellowship. This workshop is facilitated by one person, who had completed the steps as they are laid out in the Big Book and wants to share her experience, strength and hope with others. Please do not announce this workshop at any specific fellowship meetings. IT BREAKS TRADITIONS.

How to listen to the MP3 conference call on your iPod

1. In Stephanie’s blog where it says (for example):”MP3 file to download: » Week one-foreward to first edition,” RIGHT click on the link.
2. Choose “Save Target As”
3. Save this into your “Music Transfer” Folder on your computer
4. Open iTunes
5. In iTunes click, on the top left, click “File” and then “Add File to Library”
6. You’ll see it’s now in iTunes (easiest way to see it is to click “Recently Added” section on the left hand side of iTunes and you’ll see it on top. You can move this to your iPod from there.

Thank you to Matthew for figuring this out!!

Recording for September 4, 2008

MP3 file to download: » Week one-foreward to first edition

Listen now:

NOTE: If the sound quality isn’t good when you listen, try going to adobe.com and download the latest version of the flash player. Use the contact page to report any issues you have and please include information about whether you are on a Mac or a PC. We are working on the issues that some people are having with the recording. Thanks, Linda

Writing Assignment September 4, 2008

Look up these words:

1.recovered
2.seemingly
3.precisely
4.authentication

Question: What is your vision of being recovered from a seemingly
hopeless state of mind and body?

About this step study workshop

This is an All Addictions Big Book Step Study workshop. The sole purpose of this workshop is to study and experience the steps as they are laid out in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. We are not affiliated with any Twelve step fellowship. This workshop is facilitated by one person, who had completed the steps as they are laid out in the Big Book and wants to share her experience, strength and hope with others. Please do not announce this workshop at any specific fellowship meetings. IT BREAKS TRADITIONS. Stephanie will be considered your big book step study sponsor unless you choose to get another person to be your big book step study sponsor. You will read all your assignments to your specific fellowship sponsor. You will also give your fifth step to this sponsor when the time comes. There are no attendance or sobriety requirements for participating, or listening to this workshop. The facilitated part of the workshops will be recorded, posted on this website, and can be listened to anytime after the workshop. There will be words from the Big Book for you to look up and weekly written assignments given to further deepen your experience with the step being studied. If there is time at the end I will ask if there is anyone who would like to read their assignments to the group. It will take approximately two years to complete the entire twelve steps.

Sincerely, Your sister in recovery,

Stephanie

About the facilitator

My name is Stephanie W., from Pembroke, MA., and I will be your
facilitator for this workshop. By Gods grace and with the help of
many fellowships, I celebrated 31 years of recovery. Twelve years
ago, I started attending the Big Book step study meetings, and after
two years had finished writing my fourth step, gave it away to my
sponsor, and started making my amends. I then started to live my life
as instructed in pages 84-88 (steps 10 & 11). My thinking and life
changed so dramatically from doing this work, knew my purpose in
life was to help others recover through working these steps in the
Big Book. I started sponsoring two days after I did my fifth step,
and started a workshop in my home a few months later. I did a BBSS
workshop for six years for a food recovery fellowship and a workshop
for a Al-Anon group. I’ve done five BBSS weekend retreats, and a 14
month BBSS workshop on Mondays 2:30 p.m and Tuesdays 8 p.m. I will be
sharing with you more about myself as we progress in the workshop. My
past and my life now are an open book. If anything I have done is
helpful to my sponsoree’s, I have no trouble in revealing anything to
you. I will be considered your Big Book Step study sponsor, however I
strongly encourage you to have and share all your writings and
insights with your program sponsor. They, most likely, will be taking
your fifth step after we write it together. So, if you don’t have a
program sponsor, please make a concerted effort to find one and build
a relationship. This is deep, deep work, and you’ll need someone to
go to with your feelings and insights. I look forward to our journey
through the twelve steps together as they are laid out in the Big
Book of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Sincerely,

Your sister in recovery,

Stephanie

All Addictions Big Book Step Study Workshop will begin September 4, 2008

Welcome to the Thursday 8 p.m. (EST) All Addictions Big Book Step Study Workshop.

My name is Stephanie and I will be your facilitator/sponsor.

I will be going through the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous line by line, paragraph by paragraph. I will give you my take on what is being said and also share my own experience, strength and hope with the step being studied.

We are welcoming to all persons in any twelve step recovery fellowship. There is no sobriety or abstinence requirement to belong to the group, and no attendance requirement either. My hope is that you will find this workshop so helpful to your recovery, that you will not want to miss it. There will be weekly written assignments that are not mandatory, but they will be helpful for a fuller experience of the step being studied. You’ll get out of the workshop what you put into it. I will be asking for you to read your assignments if you so chose to. We all learn so much for each other’s sharing.

I will be taped each week, so if you miss the workshop you can listen to it at your convenience, though it is not a substitute for the actual workshop. You will not be taped, so if you don’t come to actual workshop, you’ll miss your group members sharing.

I will be posting a short note about any further thoughts our workshop each Friday on our Website. You’ll have a place to write a comment, question or a sharing about what you learned or got out of the workshop the night before. This will be open to everyone to write and respond to, along with myself. If you want to write a note, comment or question to me personally, send it to ks.bkl [at] verizon.net

I look forward to this recovery journey through the steps as they are laid out in the Big Book with all of you. I was a changed person when I completed the steps as they are laid out in the Big Book, and I pray that you too can experience the psychic change I experienced.

From your sister in recovery,

Stephanie

The phone number to join the conference is 712-432-3929/ PIN number is 7506210 #.

I am looking forward to working with you!!