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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

Growing Pains

[fa icon="calendar'] Feb 14, 2018 9:30:00 AM / by Maj Donovan posted in Alcoholics Anonymous, alcoholism, AA meetings, 12 steps of aa, Recovery Program

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I attended a lecture recently where the speaker described her recovery process from an accident. She said “healing is painful.”

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My Story

[fa icon="calendar'] Jan 24, 2018 10:30:00 AM / by Maj Donovan posted in Alcoholics Anonymous, alcoholism, Sober Housing, 12 steps of aa, Recovery Program

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 My name is John and I’m an alcoholic. Sober by the grace of God, the application of the 12 Steps and the fellowship of the program of Alcoholics Anonymous, I haven’t found it necessary to take a drink since July 22, 1978.

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Young People and A.A.

[fa icon="calendar'] Dec 27, 2017 1:31:38 PM / by Maj Donovan posted in Alcoholics Anonymous, 12 step program, AA meetings, 12 steps of aa, Recovery Program

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My drinking got me kicked out of school; it got me into trouble with the law; I was put on probation; I was court ordered to counseling and I was fighting constantly with my parents. I hated what I was doing to them and I loathed what I was doing to myself, but I didn’t know how to stop. I finally got honest with my probation officer one day and she suggested I go to a Young Peoples A.A. meeting.

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A Miracle of the Season

[fa icon="calendar'] Dec 13, 2017 10:00:00 AM / by Maj Donovan posted in Alcoholics Anonymous, 12 step program, Sober Housing, AA Big Book, Recovery Program

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On December 11, 1934, while under treatment at Towns Hospital for alcoholism, Bill Wilson, co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, experienced a profound and lasting spiritual experience. This intense and life-changing spiritual awakening left Bill with an overwhelming sense of well-being and freed him from his obsession and craving for alcohol. Bill said this about his “hot flash,” “I knew I was a free man”.

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Serving Those Who Have Served

[fa icon="calendar'] Nov 15, 2017 10:00:00 AM / by Maj Donovan posted in alcoholism, Recovery, Recovery Program, Treatment Program, help group

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This time of year always finds me reflecting on the men and women who have served in our Armed Forces. Veterans Day, Pearl Harbor Day, the anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, the anniversary of the Tet Offensive all take place at this time of year. Additionally, from now through New Year’s Eve we will see TV commercials from service women and men who are overseas wishing loved ones back home a merry and happy holiday season.

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The Master Physician.

[fa icon="calendar'] Oct 30, 2017 10:11:53 AM / by Maj Donovan posted in AA meetings, Sober Housing, 12 steps of aa, AA Big Book, Recovery Program

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Recently, I overheard a person in recovery talk about being concerned because he hadn’t had a spiritual awakening like Bill W.   He was afraid he had done something wrong.  He wondered if he had fallen out of favor with God.   He questioned whether he had missed something when he went through the 12 Steps.    He thought maybe he had glossed over some vital section of the first 164 pages. 

 

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A Soldier’s Calling.

[fa icon="calendar'] Sep 15, 2017 10:37:21 AM / by Maj Donovan posted in Alcoholics Anonymous, alcoholism, AA meetings, 12 Traditions Of AA, Recovery Program

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Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" Isaiah 6:8

 

In 2007 I volunteered for my first tour to Iraq. I had been sober a long time by then, but I was afraid. Would I hold up under fire? Would my men follow my orders? Would I freeze in the face of danger? These and many more thoughts flooded my brain.

 

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Safety in Self-Help Groups - A.A.’s Common Welfare.

[fa icon="calendar'] Aug 15, 2017 10:17:04 AM / by Maj Donovan posted in Alcoholics Anonymous, AA meetings, 12 Traditions Of AA, help group, Support Group

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Earlier this year the General Service Office (GSO) of Alcoholics Anonymous in New York, NY published guidance on “Safety in A.A.”.  The paper was entitled "Safety and A.A.:  Our Common Welfare".  Printed on January 25, 2017,  this paper laid out the A.A. philosophy and helpful suggestions for keeping A.A. groups safe.  

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Carrying the Message.

[fa icon="calendar'] Jul 19, 2017 9:30:00 AM / by Maj Donovan posted in Alcoholics Anonymous, 12 step program, AA Big Book, Recovery Program, Support Group

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So you’ve been asked to bring a meeting into a facility. Congratulations! What an honor and privilege it is to be involved in service. As it states on page 89 of the book Alcoholics Anonymous:

“To watch people recover, to see them help others, to watch loneliness vanish, to see a fellowship grow up about you, to have a host of friends--this is an experience you must not miss.  We know you will not want to miss it.  Frequent contact with newcomers and with each other is the bright spot of our lives.”

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Seven Steps to Conflict Resolution.

[fa icon="calendar'] Jun 14, 2017 9:00:00 AM / by Maj Donovan posted in Alcoholics Anonymous, substance abuse, 12 steps of aa, AA Big Book, Recovery Program

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1.   It takes two to tango. In any situation if I respond with anger, hurt or frustration, the situation can quickly escalate. If I respond with calm and reassurance the situation can quickly defuse. If I refuse to do the dance of anger, the dance quickly ends.

 

2.   What other people think of me is none of my business. I have a sponsor and significant others to whom I turn for advice and suggestions. If I try to live my life to appease and please those around me, I become a people pleaser. And there’s an app for people pleasing – it’s called Al-Anon.

 

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