Linda R. from Indianapolis, IN doing a workshop titled "A Day In The Big Book" in Charlottesville, VA - April 9th 2005

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In parts 4 and 5 of Linda’s "A Day in the Big Book", she shares deeply personal experiences about love, loss, and spiritual growth through the lens of Alcoholics Anonymous. She reflects on being fully present with her father during his final months with cancer, overcoming self-centered fears, and embracing the profound lessons of service and surrender. Linda also recounts the transformative relationship with her late husband Richard, navigating his illness and death with grace and newfound intimacy that transcended physicality. Through step work and inventory, she highlights the freedom found in amends, the discipline of daily spiritual practice, and the realization that sobriety is not just a personal gift but a channel for God's love to others. She closes with a meditation, guiding others to detach from ego, fear, and even their own personalities, to recognize their true essence as God's creation. Her journey exemplifies the promises of AA—living in a new and wonderful world, no matter the circumstances.

Linda R. from Indianapolis, IN doing a workshop titled "A Day In The Big Book" in Charlottesville, VA - April 9th 2005

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In Part 3 of A "Day in the Big Book", Linda shares how the journey of making amends and following spiritual principles opened her life in ways she could never have planned. She reflects on the 9th Step promises and the profound impact of direct amends, including a powerful moment of healing with her father. Through personal stories, like her struggles with financial dishonesty and the unexpected blessings that came from choosing integrity over comfort, she illustrates how self-will and fear often keep us from experiencing the true gifts of sobriety. Linda emphasizes that following God's will isn't about knowing the full plan—it's about trusting each step and being open to the unexpected, whether that means moving into her sister’s home or showing up for her father’s final months. Her journey is a testament to the promise that, no matter the circumstances, a new and wonderful world awaits those who walk in faith.

Music: Deep by KaizanBlu

John K. from Dallas, TX speaking at the Eastside Group in Fort Worth, TX - February 2006

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John K. shares his experience, strength, and hope, emphasizing that real gratitude is shown through action—by carrying the message to others. After years of failed attempts to stay sober, he finally surrendered in 1999, realizing he was completely powerless over alcohol. Through a strong sponsor and the Big Book’s precise instructions, he worked the steps, starting with a deep understanding of his hopelessness in Step 1. Step 2 gave him the hope that a power greater than himself could restore him, and Step 3 marked a true turning point—fully committing to take action. With rigorous Step 4 and 5 work, he uncovered the truth about his selfishness, self-centered fears, and delusions, leading to a complete psychic change. Today, John emphasizes that the steps are not theoretical but practical tools for living. By sponsoring others, he continues to stay close to God and remain free from alcohol, experiencing the profound joy of seeing new men and women recover.

Music: Deep by KaizanBlu

Linda R. from Indianapolis, IN doing a workshop titled "A Day In The Big Book" in Charlottesville, VA - April 9th 2005

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In Part 2 of "A Day in the Big Book", Linda continues her deep dive into the steps, bringing warmth and clarity to the often-misunderstood process of surrender and faith. She breaks down Step 3 with humor and honesty, sharing how she struggled to grasp the concept of turning her will and life over to a higher power. Instead of needing to fully understand God, she realizes she only has to make a decision—one that allows her to stop managing every detail of life and begin trusting in something greater. Linda illustrates this shift with real-life moments, from a simple household frustration to a health scare, showing how applying these principles can transform fear into faith. She also unpacks Step 4, guiding listeners through inventory with practical examples, reminding them that it's not about discovering who they are but shedding the false self they've built. Her reflections highlight how the steps don’t just stop at getting sober—they offer a path to real freedom, emotional peace, and a life of spiritual connection.

Music: Deep by KaizanBlu

Rick K. from Edmonton, Alberta speaking at the Edmonton Winter Roundup in Edmonton, Alberta - February 16th 2008

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Rick shares his journey from a chaotic, alcohol-filled upbringing to a life of sobriety, guided by the steps of AA. Drinking was always central—bringing both excitement and destruction. Despite a loving marriage and career as a chef, his drinking spiraled into blackouts, DUIs, and broken trust, ultimately leading to separation from his wife, Joanne. Hitting rock bottom, physically ill and unable to stop, he found himself in AA, initially resistant but eventually embracing the steps. Working with a strong sponsor, Rick took Step 3 seriously, closed the back door to drinking, and found freedom through rigorous Step 4 and 5 work. Making amends, especially with his dying father, brought deep healing. Through AA’s guidance, he rebuilt his marriage, adopted a son, and later, miraculously, welcomed a biological son. A cancer scare tested his faith, but the program’s tools helped him find peace. Now, with decades of sobriety, Rick emphasizes the power of service, fellowship, and working the steps to build a life beyond his wildest dreams.

Music: Deep by KaizanBlu

Linda R. from Indianopolis, IN doing a workshop titled "A Day In The Big Book" in Charlottesville, VA - April 9th 2005

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In Part 1 of "A Day in the Big Book", Linda shares her deeply personal journey through the first two steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, bringing to life the raw, transformative power of surrender. She describes how, for years, she convinced herself she didn’t have a drinking problem—until she woke up one morning knowing she was dying inside. With honesty and warmth, she talks about the desperation that led her to her knees and how she found hope in the pages of the Big Book. Linda explains how her sponsor guided her through Step One, helping her see that her life had always been unmanageable, even when it looked good from the outside. In Step Two, she wrestles with doubt, realizing that while she believed in God, she wasn’t sure He believed in her. Through the guidance of AA and the willingness to set aside old ideas, she begins to open up to the possibility of a power greater than herself, setting the stage for the spiritual awakening to come.

Music: Deep by KaizanBlu

Peter M. from Boca Raton, FL speaking at the All Our Affairs group in Toronto, Canada - July 7th 2012

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Peter M. shares a powerful, raw, and deeply spiritual account of his journey through alcoholism, recovery, and transformation. Growing up in a turbulent household in Brooklyn, losing his mother to addiction, and experiencing repeated relapses and homelessness, Peter vividly describes the pain, shame, and destruction that alcoholism brings into his life. After multiple treatment centers and failed attempts at sobriety, he finally reaches a point of total surrender on June 23, 1988, when he cries out to God for help. Through the guidance of a sponsor, deep work in the Twelve Steps, and a complete shift in perspective, he finds a life of purpose and service. Today, he embodies the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous, emphasizing the necessity of spiritual awakening, rigorous honesty, and living a life centered on God-consciousness. His journey is a testament to the power of recovery, reminding others that the path to healing requires surrender, action, and a commitment to carrying the message of hope to those still suffering.

Music: Deep by KaizanBlu

Adell S. from Sedona, AZ speaking at the 48th Annual Big Deep South Convention in New Orleans, LA - June 18th 2016

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Born into a chaotic and violent household, Adell S. struggled with hypersensitivity and a desperate need to escape, which led her to alcohol and later to bulimia. Despite early delusions and denial, she found her way into AA, where she was struck sober in 1989 and has remained so for over three decades. She openly discussed the trauma she endured, including childhood abuse, and how she initially believed she was irreparably broken. Through rigorous step work, sponsorship, and deep spiritual practice, she found healing, forgiveness, and a renewed sense of self-worth. Today, Adele passionately advocates for recovery through rigorous honesty, service, and meditation, urging others to embrace the 12 Steps not just as a means to stop drinking, but as a path to profound inner peace and spiritual awakening.

Music: Deep by KaizanBlu

Bud M. from Huntington, CA speaking at the Paramount Speaker Group in Paramount CA - May 2nd 1999

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Bud M. shares about his turbulent life of crime, addiction, and multiple stints in jail. Raised in a home where alcohol played a central role, he found drinking at a young age, quickly discovering its ability to mask fear and insecurity. His life spiraled into crime, reform school, and prison, leading him to believe he was beyond help. It wasn’t until a judge identified his alcoholism and he read the AA Big Book while serving time that he began to reconsider his path. After leaving jail in 1953, he called AA, found a sponsor, and committed to the program. Over time, he built a stable life, a successful career, and a loving family, staying sober for decades. Through AA, he not only transformed himself but also helped countless others by sharing his experience, strength, and hope.

Music: Deep by KaizanBlu

Brooke C. from Sheridan, WY speaking at the New Horizons group in Bend, OR - October 13th 2021

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Brooke C. shares the life-changing importance of a home group in AA, describing how belonging to a single, committed fellowship provides not only a structured environment for service and decision-making but also essential support, accountability, and personal growth in recovery. Her journey—from early sobriety struggles and finding her place through group conscience meetings to embracing the responsibilities that come with being an active member—highlights her key accomplishments in transforming isolation into a robust network of caring relationships. This experience has been central to her spiritual development and ongoing success in sobriety, proving that a strong home group is both a sanctuary and a catalyst for lasting change.

Music: Deep by KaizanBlu