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Summary
Summary
In this hopeful and useful guide, Dr. John MacDougall explains how to maintain our spiritual condition so that we can remain reliably sober, and come to restore our relationships with God, ourselves, and those we love. By practicing the spiritual principles of the Twelve Step programs, and making a daily commitment to our program of recovery, we reliably become happy. ContentsIntroduction Chapter 1: Staying SoberChapter 2: Spirituality and RecoveryChapter 3: Surrender and TrustChapter 4: Practice What PrinciplesChapter 5: Spiritual Recovery from Trauma and AbuseChapter 6: Love and RomanceChapter 7: HopeChapter 8: Finding Joy in LifeChapter 9: Becoming HappyAdvance reviews for Being Sober and Becoming Happy: THIS BOOK IS WRITTEN BY A BRILLIANT MIND WITH A GIFT FOR HUMOR, CLARITY, ORIGINALITY, AND MOST IMPORTANT -SIMPLICITY. IN MY OPINION, NO BETTER BOOK HAS BEEN WRITTEN ON RELAPSE PREVENTION AND THE 12 STEPS SINCE THE BIG BOOK. THE AUTHOR HAS SPENT 30 YEARS IN AL-ANON, NA AND AA AND KNOWS WHAT HELPS - AND WHAT DOESN'T - BACKWARDS AND FORWARDS. OF EQUAL IMPORTANCE, THIS IS A BOOK ABOUT POSITIVE TRANSFORMATION FOR US ALL, ESPECIALLY THOSE IN RECOVERY FROM ANY SORT OF SUFFERING.George E, Vaillant MDProfessor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical SchoolAuthor of Spiritual Evolution"As we realize we have a God, rather than we are gods, we get to stop trying to control life, and we get to simply live life instead. I've decided that my life is unmanageable only when I am trying to manage it. My life isn't meant to be managed, it is meant to be lived."This quote is one of the hundreds of pithy ideas from John MacDougall's new book, the book you are soon to be engrossed in. His insights, and they materialize with ease on every page, are amazing and I've loved hearing him share them in meetings and on the "circuit" for years. But having all that wisdom, told with humor at times, but with clarity always, in one place is what makes this book invaluable. John simply gets to the core of any issue with such ease, and he makes himself understood with little work on the reader's part. He writes, or speaks, and we listen and learn with our hearts and minds. John MacDougall has been instrumental in the lives of so many people, those in the fellowship and those who have simply been lucky enough to share a few moments of his time while passing through some stage of life. He doesn't reserve his gift of understanding how life works, life without alcohol or pills but always with a God of one's understanding, for any one group of people. John is simply "the whole package," wherever you meet him; on the pages of a book or in a meeting or an auditorium. You get him whole, unfiltered and erupting always with knowledge, wisdom, humor and a loving heart. Every time you are in his presence, you come away knowing more about the 12 Steps and how to live them, and with the backdrop of humor that helps to make the information even more significant. I love this book! Even after 37 years in Alcoholics Anonymous and a few more than that in Al-Anon, I found myself jotting down insights for my own edification, and to share with others. That's what spending any time with John is like. We are never too old to take on a new idea, one that not only benefits us but every single person who is crossing our path quite by divine appointment, today or any tomorrow.John has gotten better with age, with his commitment to the work of helping others, and his passion for passing on that which he has learned. Every one who chooses to gather even an inkling of the wisdom in these pages will bring benefit to the world we all share. Thank you, John. Thank you for helping every one of us make a difference in this life through the application of the principles you so completely embody.Karen Casey, Ph.D., author of Each Day A New Beginning. See www.womens-spirituality.com
Reviews (1)
Kirkus Review
A spiritual interpretation of Alcoholics Anonymous' Big Book. In his debut, MacDougall brings readers the wit, wisdom and secrets he's learned over the years as an alcoholic and a spiritual director at an addiction recovery center. Perhaps most important, he explores the connection among sobriety, spirituality and happiness, placing an emphasis on not just avoiding alcohol, but on creating a new life, since, as he says, "If we take an alcoholic and all we do for that alcoholic is remove the alcohol from the alcohol-ic, then what we have left is an ic.' " He writes with honesty and humor about his own struggles with childhood violence, abuse and addiction, as well as the ups and downs of recovery and the immense power of Alcoholics Anonymous. He sees addiction as being ultimately self-centered and views AA's emphasis on a higher power as a way to move beyond selfish thinking and into a new relationship with the self, others and reality. Personal anecdotes give readers new insight into AA's Steps and Traditions, and he applies these to romantic relationships and personal growth in new and useful ways. The work serves as an original, readable primer for those unfamiliar with AA and a fresh take on spirituality in AA for those who may be struggling with it. MacDougall writes from a Christian standpoint, though he never pushes a particular belief system, and his broad view of faith may prove useful for those with a range of views about religion. His writing is clear and accessible without being dumbed down, and his respect and compassion for readers and for anyone struggling with addiction clearly shines through. A heartfelt, worthwhile read for anyone who is struggling with or who knows someone struggling with addiction.]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
