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Maj Donovan

Maj Donovan is a person in long-term recovery with over four decades of sobriety. He is an author, blogger, lecturer and teaches a monthly workshop at “The Retreat” on the 12 Steps and Sponsorship.

Recent Posts

Preserving Our Unity

[fa icon="calendar'] Aug 31, 2022 8:00:00 AM / by Maj Donovan posted in Alcoholics Anonymous, 12 Steps, Recovery Program, Alcohol & Health, Treatment Program

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In sobriety we build new connections to ourselves, our families, and our communities. In our meetings we embrace all who have “a desire to stop drinking” to our tables. Healthy groups lower barriers to sobriety by creating inclusive spaces and meetings. Healthy groups broaden their understanding of what recovery means for people with different experiences.

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Abandon Yourself to God

[fa icon="calendar'] Jul 21, 2022 8:00:00 AM / by Maj Donovan posted in Alcoholics Anonymous, AA Big Book, Alcohol & Health, Treatment Program, Gratitude

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What does it mean to abandon ourselves to God? On page 164 of the book Alcoholics Anonymous we find this explanation.

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Character Defects: (Steps Six and Seven)

[fa icon="calendar'] Jun 29, 2022 8:15:00 AM / by Maj Donovan posted in Alcoholics Anonymous, 12 Steps, AA meetings, AA Big Book, Alcohol & Health, Alcoholism Treatment Program

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Where Have All The Flowers Gone?

[fa icon="calendar'] May 18, 2022 8:00:00 AM / by Maj Donovan posted in Alcoholics Anonymous, alcoholism, AA meetings, 12 Traditions Of AA, Alcoholism Treatment Program

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There was a popular song in the 1960’s entitled “Where have all the flowers gone?” by Pete Seeger. The chorus went:

“Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time passing.
Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time ago.”

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Working with Others

[fa icon="calendar'] Apr 20, 2022 8:00:00 AM / by Maj Donovan posted in Alcoholics Anonymous, 12 Steps, 12 steps of aa, AA Big Book, 12 Traditions Of AA

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Chapter seven of the book, Alcoholics Anonymous, is devoted entirely to working with others. You get a clue from the author of the “Big Book”, how important certain steps are by the amount of space he devotes to them. When the author has devoted an entire chapter to working with others, i.e., Step 12, it must be important.

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Spring into Sobriety

[fa icon="calendar'] Mar 9, 2022 8:00:00 AM / by Maj Donovan posted in alcohol addiction, Alcoholics Anonymous, recovery process, AA meetings, Alcoholism Treatment Program

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On March 1st, meteorological spring started. On March 13th at 2 am, we will spring forward. And on March 20th we will experience equal amounts of sunshine and darkness as we usher in the spring equinox. Shakespeare wrote in his play Julius Caesar to, “Beware the Ides of March.” But from this author’s perspective, it looks like spring has finally spung and that’s a good thing.

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“We tried to carry this message…”

[fa icon="calendar'] Feb 9, 2022 8:00:00 AM / by Maj Donovan posted in alcohol addiction, Alcoholics Anonymous, recovery process, 12 step program, Alcoholism Treatment Program

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Bill Wilson, the co-founder of the program Alcoholics Anonymous, achieved sobriety in December of 1934. One day in the spring of 1935 he came home in the middle of the afternoon. Utterly dejected, he turned to his wife Lois and said, “I’ve worked with drunks for the last six months and not a one of them is sober.”

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Happy New Year!

[fa icon="calendar'] Jan 7, 2022 10:11:39 AM / by Maj Donovan posted in alcohol addiction, Alcoholics Anonymous, recovery process, Drugs Adiction, Alcoholism Treatment Program

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Oft times we see the new year portrayed as a newborn child. Reflect for a moment on the wonder that a newborn instills in all of us. Think about the sense of hope and renewal that stirs within you when you see a newborn babe. Who isn’t moved by the site of a newborn resting peacefully within the arms of its loving parent?

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Traits of Sponsorship

[fa icon="calendar'] Dec 8, 2021 8:00:00 AM / by Maj Donovan posted in recovery process, AA meetings, Recovery Program, Alcoholism Treatment Program, Support Group

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Sponsors come from all levels of society, all cultures, and every gender identity. There are certain traits good sponsors share. These core traits are foundational to good sponsorship. 

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November is National Gratitude Month

[fa icon="calendar'] Nov 10, 2021 8:00:00 AM / by Maj Donovan posted in recovery process, AA meetings, Recovery Program, Alcoholism Treatment Program, Support Group

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We often hear in self-help meetings, “Have an attitude of gratitude”. For those of us who may not be feeling grateful, this can often come across as cliché and trite. But there is age old wisdom in the saying.

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