Many of the discussion topics chosen are taken from AA literature that may not be generally available to all participants in this meeting. This blog will share this AA literature that a chairperson has chosen that may not be generally available.
Many of the posts come from the over 60 years of archives from the monthly AA magazine, Grapevine. Other sources may include AA literature such as ‘As Bill Sees It’ as well as AA pamphlets.
There is also a growing set of quotes from the AA Big Book , Twelve and Twelve, Daily Reflections, and Living Sober.
All of these posts are categorized to allow quicker access. You can also search on key words that you are interested in learning more about.
Belief Is Not Certainty – Richard Rohr’s Daily Meditation September 10th 2026
The issue in prayer is not to pray because we are certain, but to pray because we are uncertain. —Renita Weems, Listening for God The Methodist minister Renita Weems was questioned about prayer by a woman no longer practicing her Christian faith: “What sense is there in praying if you don’t believe in God?”… She sounded pensive. “You pray in…
Let’s Keep It Simple – As Bill Sees It #162
We need to distinguish sharply between spiritual simplicity and functional simplicity. When we say that A.A. advocates no theological proposition except God as we understand Him, we greatly simplify A.A. life by avoiding conflict and exclusiveness. But when we get into questions of action by groups, by areas, and by A.A. as a whole, we…
Tradition Three: Learning to Love Without Conditions
From the “Learning to Love Well” blog series on the Twelve Traditions “The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.” There is something remarkable about Tradition Three. After Tradition One teaches us that our common welfare comes first, and Tradition Two reminds us that no individual gets to be the ultimate…
Tradition Two: Learning to Trust Something Other Than Ourselves – Take The 12 Blog By Rick W.
From the “Learning to Love Well” blog series on the Twelve Traditions “For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority—a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.” Tradition One asked us to make a fundamental shift from “me” to “we.”…
How Unrealistic Expectations Become Resentments In Relationships By Nikki Ciletti
The Big Book calls resentment the “number one offender” in relapse that “destroys more alcoholics than anything else. From it stem all forms of spiritual disease”(BB p.64). In the 4tb step inventory, Bill W suggests we have some major work to do in becoming good partners in our relationships. From page 53 of the Twelve…
Wisdom Is Freedom – Daily Stoic Reflection October 23rd 2026 By Ryan Holiday
In the 4th edition Big Book on page 552, we find this powerful quote “The only real freedom a human being can ever know is doing what you ought to do because you want to do it.” Our recovery is less about changing what is happening externally and more about changing our perspective and learning…
Fierce Self-Compassion And Drawing Boundaries By Dr. Kristin Neff
Fierce self-compassion involves taking action to protect ourselves and meet our needs, even when doing so is uncomfortable. While tender self-compassion allows us to accept ourselves with warmth and understanding, fierce self-compassion helps us stand up for ourselves. One of the most important ways we can do this is by drawing healthy boundaries. Boundaries let…
Tradition One: Learning to Put “We” Before “Me” – Take The 12 Blog By Rick W.
From the “Learning to Love Well” blog series on the Twelve Traditions “Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity.” There is something almost counterintuitive about beginning the Twelve Traditions with unity. After all, most of us arrive in A.A. because of an individual problem. I can’t stop drinking. My life has become unmanageable. I need help. The…
Just the Way I Am – Grapevine Article November 2026 By Jack L.
Since he got sober and got outside help for his social anxiety, he no longer hides who he is. It just might help someone else I was hit early in life with the mental illness “stick.” I struggled greatly with social anxiety, especially when I tried to mix with people. As a young boy, my tantrums…
Peeling & Healing – Grapevine Article November 2026 By April S.
One Thanksgiving Day after her Fifth Step, she began to see her mother in a brand-new way It was almost Thanksgiving, and I had five months of sobriety. I was still working on my Fourth Step, and my mother headed the list of people who I resented—big time. In meetings I would often share about…
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