Men and women drink essentially because they like the effect produced by alcohol. The sensation is so elusive that, while they admit it is injurious, they cannot after a time differentiate the true from the false. To them, their alcoholic life seems the only normal one. They are restless, irritable and discontented, unless they canContinue reading “Psychic Change – BB Doctor’s Opinion”
Author Archives: Bruce McPherson
Humility – Extract of Grapevine Article April 1974 by Mel B
Below is an extract from this article that captures some of the key messages from this compelling article about humility. ” I have heard humility defined as a state of being teachable. In that sense, most of us who are able to stay sober have acquired at least a smattering of it, or we neverContinue reading “Humility – Extract of Grapevine Article April 1974 by Mel B”
Empowering Freedom By Humility – 12/12 pg 75, 76 and Big Book pg 552
AN EVER-GROWING FREEDOM ‘ We saw that we did not need to be bludgeoned or beaten into humility. It could come quite as much from our voluntary reaching for it as it could from unremitting suffering. A great turning point in our lives came when we sought for humility as something we really wanted, notContinue reading “Empowering Freedom By Humility – 12/12 pg 75, 76 and Big Book pg 552”
Dr. Bob on Humility
“Humility is perpetual quietness of heart. It is to have no trouble. It is never to be fretted or vexed, irritable or sore; to wonder at nothing that is done to me, to feel nothing done against me. It is to be at rest when nobody praises me, and when I am blamed or despised,Continue reading “Dr. Bob on Humility”
Humility for Today – Grapevine June 1961 By Bill W
There can be no absolute humility for us humans . At best , we can only glimpse the meaning and splendor of such a perfect ideal . As the book Alcoholics Anonymous says : “ We are not saints . . . we claim spiritual progress rather than spiritual perfection . ” Only God himselfContinue reading “Humility for Today – Grapevine June 1961 By Bill W”
12& 12 Step 5 – pgs 52-55
A.A . experience has taught us we cannot live alone with our pressing problems and the character defects which cause or aggravate them . If we have swept the searchlight of Step Four back and forth over our careers , and it has revealed in stark relief those experiences we’d rather not remember , ifContinue reading “12& 12 Step 5 – pgs 52-55”
Limits of Self Knowledge – BB page 39
“But the actual or potential alcoholic, with hardly an exception, will be absolutely unable to stop drinking on the basis of self-knowledge. This is a point we wish to emphasize and re-emphasize, to smash home upon our alcoholic readers as it has been revealed to us out of bitter experience”
Bill’s Story Self Knowledge – BB pgs 7,8
It relieved me somewhat to learn that in alcoholics the will is amazingly weakened when it comes to combating liquor, though it often remains strong in other respects. My incredible behavior in the face of a desperate desire to stop was explained. Understanding myself now, I fared forth in high hope. For three or fourContinue reading “Bill’s Story Self Knowledge – BB pgs 7,8”
Unconditional Acceptance – BB pg 98
“It is not the matter of giving that is in question, but when and how to give. That often makes the difference between failure and success. The minute we put our work on a service plane, the alcoholic commences to rely upon our assistance rather than upon God. He clamors for this or that, claimingContinue reading “Unconditional Acceptance – BB pg 98”
True Partnership – pg 53-54
But it is from our twisted relations with family, friends, and society at large that many of us suffered the most. We have been especially stupid and stubborn about them. The primary fact that we fail to recognize is our total inability to form a true partnership with another human being. Our egomania digs twoContinue reading “True Partnership – pg 53-54”