Dianne’s Missives October 16, 2026

Thought to Consider…

The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us.
A.A. is like an adjustable wrench, it fits almost any nut.
I have learned what the Grace of God feels like.
A recovering alcoholic without a sponsor is much like a ship without a rudder.

AACRONYMS

W I L L I N G = When I Live Life, I Need God

“We know that while the alcoholic keeps away from drink, as he may do for months or years, he reacts much like other men. We are equally positive that once he takes any alcohol whatever into his system, something happens, both in the bodily and mental sense, which makes it virtually impossible for him to stop. The experience of any alcoholic will abundantly confirm this.”

“Though there is no way of proving it, we believe that early in our drinking careers most of us could have stopped drinking. But the difficulty is that few alcoholics have enough desire to stop while there is yet time.”
. . . we know that the pains of drinking had to come before sobriety, and emotional turmoil before serenity.

Lest we become complacent

It is easy to let up on the spiritual program of action and rest on our laurels. We are headed for trouble if we do, for alcohol is a subtle foe. We are not cured of alcoholism. What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition.

Sponsorship

“No satisfaction has been deeper and no joy greater than in a Twelfth Step job well done. To watch the eyes of men and women open with wonder as they move from darkness into light, to see their lives quickly fill with new purpose and meaning, to see whole families reassembled, to see the alcoholic outcast received back into his community in full citizenship, and above all to watch these people awaken to the presence of a loving God in their lives – these things are the substance of what we receive as we carry A.A.’s message to the next alcoholic.”

“Follow the dictates of a Higher Power and you will presently live in a new and wonderful world, no matter what your present circumstances!”

We have entered the world of the Spirit. Our next function is to grow in understanding and effectiveness. This is not an overnight matter. It should continue for our lifetime. Continue to watch for selfishness, dishonesty, resentment, and fear. When these crop up, we ask God at once to remove them. We discuss them with someone immediately and make amends quickly if we have harmed anyone. Then we resolutely turn our thoughts to someone we can help. Love and tolerance of others is our code. And we have ceased fighting anything or anyone-even alcohol.

When I place more value on my serenity and sobriety than on anything else, I can maintain them at a higher level—at least for the time being.

Dianne

2026-03-202026-03-19

Episode 0061 Commo

In this solo episode the Old Rucker kicks off a Recovery 101 discusses a practical, no-nonsense breakdown of communication, one of the most critical and most commonly botched tools in recovery and everyday life. Drawing from personal experience, leadership lessons, and recovery principles, he introduces the concept of “CUCUMU” (Clear, Complete, Mutual Understanding) and walks through real-world strategies like BLUF (bottom line up front), mirroring, closing the loop, managing ego, and avoiding ghosting or emotional reactions. Along the way, we tie communication directly to trust, accountability, and rebuilding relationships after hurts, habits, and hangups, emphasizing that recovery like effective communication requires patience, discipline, and consistent action. This episode delivers straightforward, actionable insights for anyone looking to improve relationships, strengthen recovery, and stop sabotaging conversations before they even start.

March 28: kicks off Arkansas Soberfest Golf and runs through October.

April 16-19: is an Arkansas AA Convention. This one is the 49^th Annual Springtime in the Ozarks, in Eureka Springs. No flier for that one so check out springtimeintheozarks.com.

June 20: Arkansas Soberfest Picnic at the VFW in Cabot, Arkansas

Shoutout to these folks for supporting the show:

https://www.tccliquidate.org/

Text Us at 501-613-8915

Leave a voicemail 501-613-8915

2026-03-06

Episode 0059 Feed the Sheep

In this episode the Old Rucker dives into the emotional realities of recovery exploring anger, hate, violence, gratitude, and the importance of emotional sobriety. Bob talks about why people struggling with “isms” must learn to recognize and manage powerful emotions before they spiral into destructive behavior, and why the show intentionally avoids political controversy in favor of discussions that build understanding, spirituality, and personal growth. Through practical tools, reflections on service work, and a moving story about gratitude, reminder that recovery isn’t just about sobriety it’s about learning to live with humility, compassion, and love for others. The message is simple: practice love and tolerance, help someone who needs it, and remember that today is all we have so feed the sheep.

Tools to Manage Anger and Build Emotional Sobriety

Anger is a normal human emotion, but unmanaged anger can damage relationships, decision‑making, and personal well‑being. Learning practical tools to pause, calm down, and process emotions in healthier ways is an important step toward emotional sobriety. Emotional sobriety means being able to experience difficult emotions without reacting impulsively or returning to destructive habits.

Below are practical tools that can help manage anger in the moment and build healthier emotional habits over time.

Immediate Cool‑Down Techniques

These tools help interrupt anger before it escalates.

Deep Breathing
Slow, controlled belly breathing helps calm the nervous system and reduce the physical signs of anger.

Take a Time‑Out
Step away from the situation that triggered the anger. Distance often prevents emotional escalation.

Count or Distract
Counting to ten or redirecting attention can help slow down impulsive reactions.

Physical Release
Channel the energy safely through physical activity such as running, intense exercise, or hitting a pillow.

Sensory Grounding
Use calming music, visualization, or focused attention on physical surroundings to reset your emotional state.

Cognitive and Behavioral Tools

These strategies help reshape the way anger is interpreted and expressed.

Cognitive Restructuring
Replace exaggerated or hostile thoughts with more realistic and rational perspectives.

Anger Journal
Record situations that trigger anger. Tracking patterns can reveal common triggers and warning signs.

Assertive Communication
Use “I” statements to express feelings clearly without blaming others. For example: “I feel frustrated when this happens.”

Problem‑Solving Approach
Focus on practical solutions instead of remaining stuck on the frustration itself.

Long‑Term Preventative Practices

Managing anger effectively requires ongoing habits that support emotional stability.

Physical Health
Adequate sleep, balanced nutrition, and regular exercise help regulate stress and mood.

Mindfulness and Meditation
These practices increase awareness of emotional triggers before they escalate into anger.

Professional Support
Counseling, therapy (such as cognitive behavioral therapy), or support groups can help develop healthier coping strategies.

Creative Outlets
Art, music, writing, or other creative activities provide constructive ways to process emotions.

Building Emotional Sobriety

Emotional sobriety goes beyond avoiding destructive behaviors. It involves learning to experience emotions without being controlled by them.

Key elements include:

Healthy Coping: Using positive tools instead of harmful reactions.
Emotional Regulation: Experiencing difficult emotions without immediately escaping or numbing them.
Balance and Perspective: Accepting life as it comes without extreme emotional swings.
Self‑Awareness: Understanding personal triggers and emotional patterns.

Developing emotional sobriety takes time and consistent practice, but these tools provide a foundation for healthier emotional responses and stronger relationships.

Small changes practiced consistently can prevent anger from becoming destructive and instead turn it into an opportunity for growth and self‑understanding.

Text Us at 501-613-8915

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