For People in Recovery
People often ask if I’m a “friend of Bill.” I sometimes say that I’m a friend of Bill’s friends, which is how I think of myself. Although I did not grow up with alcoholism myself, I have begun to realize how much addiction has affected my extended family, not to mention society at large.
When I first started speaking about the Serenity Prayer, many attenders would quietly mention that they loved the Serenity Prayer because of the special role it played in their recovery. Initially I assumed that such people were coming to my events because of the prayer’s association with that movement. Now I believe that there are always people in recovery among us; the rest of us are just usually unaware of their presence. I’m grateful for the things I’m learning from those who have shared their journey with me, including the people who agreed to be interviewed for my book.
The Wisdom to Know the Difference: When to Make a Change–and When to Let Go is not a recovery book per se, though three of the thirty people I interviewed share stories of dealing with addiction. The other stories in the book explore the many ways the Serenity Prayer can help us to deal with every day life, from cancer and divorce to career change and social change. One of the chapters is on the role of community in helping us develop serenity, courage, and wisdom. I have developed great respect for the community of people who support each other in the struggle to stay sober. Welcome to this site. Please help me spread the word about the book.
Eileen
Reviews on Recovery Blogs
“For those who have tried 12-step meetings and have difficulty with ‘the God-thing,’ Flanagan’s explorations of discernment and ‘seeking divine guidance’ are well worth a read.”
“My program of recovery, my understanding of a power greater than myself, and my self esteem is better after reading this wonderful book. I can’t wait to read it again, and it will hopefully continually be a resource of inspiration.”
“I found a lot of profound wisdom in this book. It is about our self-discovery and the choices that we have in life.”
—I’m Just F.I.N.E.—Recovery in Al-Anon
“you can see the quiet friendliness that we tend to associate with quakers all over the book. she does not wield the heavy stick that i often find in self help books; rather, she tells stories and gives gentle suggestions.”
“This is a book that needs to be studied. It asks searching questions. It aims to help to you transform your life in important, long-lasting ways.”
