THE EXTRAVAGANT PROMISES PODCAST

Recovery and the Twelve Steps are both living breathing organisms, institutions, theories, and principles, but they are solid and fundamental at the same time. That is the beauty and the mystery of our Program.

We get the conduct we tolerate. This is nowhere more important than the conduct we tolerate in ourselves.

In this episode, we continue the discussion and theme from our last episode regarding Outside Issues, and how they lead to emotional dysregulation and instability, which is the precursor to a relapse for sure.

Due to the chaos in our country and the impact it has on a lot of us staying sober, this episode leaves our current topic and addresses the important concept of “outside issues” and keeping our focus and equipoise when all around us are losing their minds. This is apolitical and ideologically neutral.

Today we continue our exploration of the 1903 treatise the “Homely Virtues,”particularly Chapter I entitled, “Straightness.” While this term may connote many things to many people in today’s parlance, in 1903 the term was used to mean “honest,” “earnest,” and “genuine.” Aren’t these the bedrocks of our recovery?

This episode begins our study of the work The Homely Virtues, focusing on the Prelude or "Introductory," called "Ordinary People," and the intersection with programs of recovery.  I find it fascinating that a book that predates the 12 & 12 by almost fifty years or more could so eloquently and exactly mirror the last paragraphs in Step 12 of that seminal work.  My Disease "wants" me to think I am special, wants me to constantly compare myself to others in an effort to be "extraordinary."  My Higher Power wants me to have profound happiness, found only when I rest easy knowing that I have done my duty, held that small patch of ground in a sensible, responsible, "ordinary" way.

This episode focuses on my journey over the past twelve months, why I stopped podcasting for a bit, and how I stayed sober and strengthened my program of recovery and serenity through the global pandemic.

This is the beginning of Season 3 of the EPP. Show notes:  -- December 9 is an important day for me, for my life, for my Program. Why?  -- While it is true that you may be able to get sober alone, it is a lot harder, and I do not know anyone who has succeeded.  I am not saying it isn't possible, or that there aren't viable programs of recovery other than Alcoholics Anonymous, I just haven't seen or heard of them working.  So too, you can get and stay sober without a Higher Power, but it is a lot harder.  I know atheists and agnostics who have gotten and stayed sober, but I have not met anyone who did so without turning their will and their lives over to something bigger than themselves.  -- The gift of rock bottom.

God’s power to forgive is greater than our power to sin.

“On with the show ...” Motley Crue.  This is the first episode of Season 2, and the first of the Solo Meetings, in which  I am offering as a form of service a meeting-like format so that those who are unable to attend a meeting in person or through another format or platform can get relief and recovery as if they were in a meeting and listening. 

Control-freaks, please apply.

What will other people say? What will other people think?

The Divine Spark is inside us all ...

I once was blind, and now I see ...

“The fundamental tenet of Buddhism is not, ‘Every man for himself.’ I know. I looked it up.” Wanda (A Fish Called Wanda)

Burn, baby burn ...

Continuing to “adult” the shit out of life ...

It is, after all, a spiritual axiom.

Look it up ... Here’s to the sunny slopes ...

Choose your words wisely.

“I wish her a lucky passage ...” Richard Wilbur.

Who, Me?

“Ay, ay, a scratch; marry, ‘tis enough ...” Romeo and Juliet, ACT III. Scene I.

1461 Twenty-four hours. How did I do it? I didn’t drink, and I didn’t die. Here’s how ...

The Four Agreements, by Don Miguel Ruiz. The First Agreement. Tonight.

“Physician, heal thyself ...”

Send not to know, For whom the bell tolls, It tolls for thee ...

We are only as sick as our secrets. The Big Lie was known to me, before I told it.

“When people talk, listen completely ...” Hemingway

Who draws His breath in confidence of Heaven’s applause? You know.

Ahhh, Rasheed. You may have been a ‘heel, but you are a damned genius.

Loss becomes a ticket to a journey to a destination you could never have reached before.

“I’m gonna be like you, Dad, you know I’m gonna be like you.” “Cat’s in the Cradle,” by Harry Chapin.

But my hand was made strong, by the hand of the Almighty ...

As Jack London said, there are meetings under circumstances which make men remember ...

The type of love that everyone could have, that many do, and sad few do not.

The name of the story will be Time. Find that gentle, sweet child within you.

“A man’s game charges a man’s price.”

Can we outrun the darkness? Maybe, maybe not.

Churchill, Frost ... your pick.

Sometimes you eat crow, eat the turkey, and sometimes you just leave the damned country.

Because luck’s got nothing to do with it.

Be kind, be pitiful; Everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.

Because in this Universe, it’s pay me now AND pay me later.

Because there are no bad students, only bad teachers. At least that is what Mr. Miyagi taught me.

Eamonn M., A Man, AMEN.

Sometimes, well, sometimes the bear eats you.

Sometimes we need a bit more strength and hope and a lot more light. Tonight, we dance.

Hold fast! To your sufferings, to your resilience & grit, to your salvation.

Camus & Frankl. One must imagine Sisyphus happy.