Larry Winter

We have been watching the person in Recovery on the shore with quiet wonder since the moment we first saw her. Now she moves quickly toward us, calm and steady. Gently, she takes one of our friends by the shoulders, and he says, “It is a person in Recovery.” The look on our faces is […]

We’re on the road, heading home, feeling drained and unsupported. The voice on the radio suggests, “Connect with God—a higher power—and you’ll never feel empty inside.” The words stir a mix of doubt and restlessness. Four hours of driving usually calms our anxious mood. But now, only miles from home, emptiness lingers. John exhales, half-laughing.

The eagle, known for its ability to soar high and see far, reminds us of what Recovery can offer—a clear vision of healing and hope. Each step of Recovery takes us deeper. From the very beginning, these steps gently guide us toward freedom: In the beginning was the step, and the steps held the promise

There are five of us at Peter’s house, in a small fishing village along the Mississippi River. The sun drifts toward the horizon. The trees and wildflowers are lush, yet the mood is heavy. Peter, the take-charge one, finally speaks. His boat and gear are ready on the shore. “I’m going fishing. Anyone want to

Picture us in a village, 90 miles from home, gathered with five peers in Recovery. Peter has welcomed us into his house for a meal. Normally, we’re a lively group, but today the air feels heavy. We sit quietly, weighed down by discouragement and clouded thoughts, as if hope has slipped away. Looking at us

Recovery reminds us of something profoundly simple yet deeply challenging: love. Love for ourselves, and love for one another. To love ourselves is to accept that we are worthy, to be gentle with our mistakes, and to honor the courage it takes to keep showing up. In loving ourselves, we learn compassion, vulnerability, and gratitude

Millions of people in recovery believe we can manage our symptoms, and that belief carries us through the rhythms of daily life. Imagine sitting together in the quiet fields of Healing, the sun dipping low across the pasture. Reclining on the hay, we continue our conversation with the author of SuperHuman Being—someone who has written

We are a recovering people, and healing is our song. Joy is the keynote of the recovery movement, reminding us that we were created to taste happiness here on earth and know its fullness in the life to come. On our journey, we are invited to share the simple joys of living, loving, friendship, and

Walking the shore with the author of the Twelve Steps, we see her clutching them close—a gift, sacred and alive. She tells us they are not born of intellect but inspired by the Divine, shaped by her recovering community in Eau Claire. She chose not a list, but living guidance—truths spoken and lived by recoverees—that

Sometimes… we believe because we’ve seen it.Other times… we believe even when we haven’t. In Recovery, something is shifting—hearts and minds are being transformed. I’ve seen it between Roy and Quinton. The rest of us? We’re just blessed to watch it unfold. Quinton—just this week—opened his heart wide to the gift of Recovery. Roy looked