Tom Adams

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Racial equity and the early A.A. experience – “justice for all”?

Racial equity and the early A.A. experience – “justice for all”?

Last week’s post celebrated the wedding anniversary of Bill and Lois Wilson, co-founders of Alcoholics Anonymous (Bill) and Al-Anon Family Groups (Lois). We looked at their life and legacy from the point of view of our national aspirations of “liberty and justice for all”. We explored how many people today are free from the hell of alcohol, drugs, and other addictions because of the Twelve Step movement the Wilsons and others pioneered.

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Celebrating Bill and Lois Wilson and their Courage

Celebrating Bill and Lois Wilson and their Courage

Last week we celebrated the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. My post invited us to reflect on progress and reversals in America’s ongoing struggle to reach our stated aspiration of “liberty and justice for all.” This week I will celebrate the marriage of Bill and Lois Wilson which took place on January 24, 1918, and honor their contribution to “liberty and justice for all.”

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Exploring the Wonder of Christmas

Exploring the Wonder of Christmas

Last week, I wrote about developing the habit of awe and wonder. I connected this habit with the celebration of Hanukkah and the Winter Solstice. Today I am looking at the Christian belief in Jesus and his birth on Christmas, and the possibility of a time of awe and wonder for all who choose it.

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Gazing in Awe at the Light

Gazing in Awe at the Light

This morning I was up early and read Richard Rohr’s daily meditation, Richard Rohr is a Franciscan friar, ecumenical teacher and founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation. Today’s meditation is entitled The Spiritual Practice of Awe. The meditation draws from the book This Here Flesh: Spirituality, Liberation and the Stories that Make Us by Cole Arthur Riley. 

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Exploring How Family and Community Nurture Gratitude

Exploring How Family and Community Nurture Gratitude

Last week my post explored the power of gratitude and the simple act of making a gratitude list. I found myself paying attention to the many beautiful moments that brought me gratitude, and the more difficult moments that compete for my attention. This week’s post explores the connection between gratitude, family, and community.  

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Exploring Gratitude: Its Breadth and Power

Exploring Gratitude: Its Breadth and Power

Thanksgiving is a great time to reflect on gratitude and its relevance to daily life. I have had periods of my life where the word gratitude would make me angry and nauseous. Apologies – maybe that is a little dramatic. You get the point. Some years there didn’t seem to be much to be grateful for.

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About Tom Adams

Tom AdamsTom Adams writes and speaks on topics vital to the intersection of our personal lives with our community and global lives. He has for decades been engaged in and written about nonprofit leadership and transitions, spirituality and spiritual growth, how we each contribute to a more just and equitable world and recovery from addictions and the Twelve Step recovery movement.