That was June 10, 1935, and that was my last drink. As I write nearly four years have passed. The question which might naturally come into your mind would be: “What did the man do or say that was different from what others had done or said?” It must be remembered that I had readContinue reading “Dr. Bob’s Nightmare – BB page 180 -181”
Author Archives: Bruce McPherson
The Next Frontier: Emotional Sobriety – Grapevine Article January 1958 by Bill W
This article is the substance of a letter Bill wrote to a close friend who also had troublesome depressions. I think that many oldsters who have put our AA “ booze cure ” to severe but successful tests still find they often lack emotional sobriety. Perhaps they will be the spearhead for the next majorContinue reading “The Next Frontier: Emotional Sobriety – Grapevine Article January 1958 by Bill W”
Jaywalker Story – BB p37…43
Our behavior is as absurd and incomprehensible with respect to the first drink as that of an individual with a passion, say, for jay-walking. He gets a thrill out of skipping in front of fast-moving vehicles. He enjoys himself for a few years in spite of friendly warnings. Up to this point you would labelContinue reading “Jaywalker Story – BB p37…43”
“Realize We Know But A Little” – BB 164
“We realize we know only a little. God will constantly disclose more to you and to us. Ask Him in your morning meditation what you can do each day for the man who is still sick. The answers will come, if your own house is in order. But obviously you cannot transmit something you haven’tContinue reading ““Realize We Know But A Little” – BB 164″
“Avoid the deliberate mfg of misery” Big Book Page 133
“We are sure God wants us to be happy, joyous, and free. We cannot subscribe to the belief that this life is a vale of tears, though it once was just that for many of us. But it is clear that we made our own misery. God didn’t do it. Avoid then, the deliberate manufactureContinue reading ““Avoid the deliberate mfg of misery” Big Book Page 133″
Virtue & Self Deception – As Bill Sees It – # 205
I used to take comfort from an exaggerated belief in my own honesty. My New England kinfolk had taught me the sanctity of all business commitments and contracts, saying, “A man’s word is his bond.” After this rigorous conditioning, business honesty always came easy; I never flimflammed anyone. However, this small fragment of readily wonContinue reading “Virtue & Self Deception – As Bill Sees It – # 205”
Perfect Humility As Bill Sees It – 106
For myself, I try to seek out the truest definition of humility that I can. This will not be the perfect definition, because I shall always be imperfect. At this writing, I would choose one like this: “Absolute humility would consist of a state of complete freedom from myself, freedom from all the claims thatContinue reading “Perfect Humility As Bill Sees It – 106”
This Matter of Honesty – Grapevine Article Aug 1961 By Bill W.
The problem of honesty touches nearly every aspect of our lives . There are , for example , the widespread and amazing phenomena of self – deception . There are those rather dreadful brands of reckless truth – telling , which are so often lacking in prudence and love . Then there are those countlessContinue reading “This Matter of Honesty – Grapevine Article Aug 1961 By Bill W.”
This Matter of Fear – Grapevine Article January 1962 By Bill W.
As the AA Book says, “ Fear is an evil, corroding thread; the fabric of our lives is shot through with it. ” Fear is surely a bar to reason, and to love, and of course it invariably powers anger, vainglory, and aggression. It underlies maudlin guilt and paralyzing depression. President Roosevelt once made theContinue reading “This Matter of Fear – Grapevine Article January 1962 By Bill W.”
What Is Acceptance? – Grapevine Article March 1962 By Bill W
One way to get at the meaning of the principle of acceptance is to meditate upon it in the context of AA’s much used prayer , “ God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change , courage to change the things I can , and the wisdom to know the differenceContinue reading “What Is Acceptance? – Grapevine Article March 1962 By Bill W”