Still Working on It

Sober Through the Years

Still Working on It

September 28–October 4, 2026

A NOTE FROM GUY

I wrote about Steps Six and Seven this week and something that probably shouldn't surprise me after all these years.

Change takes time.

It would be convenient if becoming willing to let go of a character defect meant the damn thing packed its bags and left that afternoon.

Apparently that's not how this works.

We can become aware of something, admit it, become willing to change it, ask for help with it... and then catch ourselves doing the same thing again.

That doesn't necessarily mean nothing is happening.

Sometimes the progress is noticing it sooner. Maybe we don't stay angry as long. Maybe we catch ourselves before saying something we can't take back. Maybe an old resentment doesn't get three weeks of free room and board in our head anymore.

Not exactly the lightning bolt I might prefer.

Still progress.

AROUND THE RECOVERY WORLD

Bill W. and Dr. Bob on Stage

Bill W. and Dr. Bob was performed at Stockton University's Performing Arts Center on Oct. 3. The play tells the story of Bill Wilson, Dr. Bob Smith and the beginnings of Alcoholics Anonymous, along with the role their wives played in what eventually became Al-Anon. Stockton University: https://www.stockton.edu/pac/events-list.html

International Recovery Day

International Recovery Day was marked Sept. 30 with a global online event organized by ISSUP and the Recovered Users Network. Speakers from several countries shared lived experience with recovery, including Ann Mathu of Kenya, who is described as 22 years sober. Issup: https://www.issup.net/events/calendar/2026-09/international-recovery-day-2026-celebrating-recovery

Founder's Day Minnesota Coming in November

Founder's Day Minnesota will be held Nov. 28 in Bloomington, celebrating 86 years of AA in the Upper Midwest. Speakers include Debbie D. from California, David E. from Chicago representing Al-Anon, and Brent H. from Los Angeles. Founder's Day Minnesota: https://foundersdaymn.org/?source=General+Information

SOMETHING WORTH LISTENING TO

Recovery Radio Network

Recovery Radio Network added several speaker recordings this week, including AA speakers Stephan B. and Richard K., an Al-Anon recording from Leslie G., and a new episode of That's Me! That's Me! with Scott E.

These aren't necessarily newly recorded talks. They're newly posted material from a large archive of Twelve Step speakers and workshops. Recovery Radio Network: https://recoveryradio.transistor.fm/

One for the Road

An Oct. 2 episode of One for the Road features Adrian, who talks about heavy drinking, hospitalization, shame, later discovering ADHD and autism, and the importance connection with other sober people eventually played in his recovery. He is now more than five years sober. Podcast Republic: https://podcastrepublic.net/podcast/1565341712

A Quick Matthew Perry Update

We've mentioned the upcoming Matthew Perry series before, but there was something actually new this week: Netflix released the trailer on Sept. 29.

The One About Matthew Perry is a three-part documentary series premiering Oct. 27 and told largely through people who knew Perry personally. Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/tudum/videos/the-one-about-matthew-perry-trailer?inapp=true

THIS WEEK'S REFLECTION

Still Working on It

One of the things I like about Steps Six and Seven is that they don't say we're suddenly going to become different people overnight.

Step Six talks about becoming ready to have our defects removed. Step Seven asks that our shortcomings be removed. The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions spends a lot more time on the process than one sentence on a wall can possibly show. Alcoholics Anonymous: https://www.aa.org/twelve-steps-twelve-traditions

I think that's important.

Recovery would be pretty discouraging if the standard was that once we recognized a defect, we were never supposed to do it again.

Maybe I recognize impatience sooner.

Maybe I catch resentment before I spend half a month feeding it.

Maybe I realize I need to apologize without requiring three people and an act of Congress to convince me.

That's change too.

It isn't particularly dramatic.

Most worthwhile things in sobriety haven't been.

The danger, at least as I see it, is using “progress not perfection” as permission to stop trying.

There's a difference between accepting that change is gradual and deciding I'm just going to stay exactly the same because everybody should tolerate me.

I can accept where I am today and still work on where I'm going.

After all this time, I'm still working on it.

I'm pretty sure that's the deal.

BEFORE I GO

I don't have a big finish this week.

Character defects apparently don't honor eviction notices on the first try.

So I'll keep noticing them, keep working on them and try not to get too impressed with myself on the days I happen to get something right.

See you next week.