Releasing Expectations & Soaring – Touchstones May 13th

As long as you keep a person down, some part of you has to be down there to hold him down, so it means you cannot soar as you otherwise might. –Marion Anderson Because of our resentments we sometimes get tense. We say we aren’t going to have contact with our parents until they doContinue reading “Releasing Expectations & Soaring – Touchstones May 13th”

Obstacles In Our Path – As Bill Sees It # 131

We live in a world riddled with envy. To a greater or lesser degree, everybody is infected with it. From this defect we must surely get a warped yet definite satisfaction. Else why would we consume so much time wishing for what we have not, rather than working for it, or angrily looking for attributesContinue reading “Obstacles In Our Path – As Bill Sees It # 131”

Make Me A Channel – Grapevine Article November 2020 By Michael J.

How a sponsor’s suggestion to meditate on a prayer led him on a path to peace, love and a sense of belonging I remember when my sponsor gave me an assignment for Step Eleven. After we reviewed the Step in our book Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, he told me to read the Eleventh StepContinue reading “Make Me A Channel – Grapevine Article November 2020 By Michael J.”

Freed Prisoners – As Bill Sees It #234

Letter to a prison group: Every A.A. has been, in a sense, a prisoner.  Each of us has walled himself out of society; each has known social stigma.  The lot of you folks has been even more difficult:  In your case, society has also built a wall around you.  But there isn’t any really essentialContinue reading “Freed Prisoners – As Bill Sees It #234”

To Value You More – Grapevine Article April 2021 By S.J.

One day in her Step study group, an oldtimer discovers something brand-new about Step Four. Proof that the learning and growing never stops In my Monday evening Women’s Step Study, our small group’s routine is to go around the room, giving each person the opportunity to read a paragraph or share or simply introduce herselfContinue reading “To Value You More – Grapevine Article April 2021 By S.J.”

Letting Go – Grapevine Article June 2017 By Lynne D.

When a defect arises, she tries to release it like a balloon and let it float up to the sky. It feels so much lighter when it’s gone  For a long time I thought Step Six meant doing nothing, just waiting around and being ready. I wondered why it had to be a separate Step.Continue reading “Letting Go – Grapevine Article June 2017 By Lynne D.”

How Finding FRED And Responding Differently To Him Keeps Us Sober – Grapevine Article March 2022 By Carol K

Bruce M (italics) – This article uses an acronym I had never heard before FRED for fear, resentment, ego, and dishonesty. Like weeds in the garden of my life, I need discernment to see FRED clearly and the courage with God’s help to respond completely differently to my FRED. So much of my life hasContinue reading “How Finding FRED And Responding Differently To Him Keeps Us Sober – Grapevine Article March 2022 By Carol K”

Enjoy The Adventure – Journey To The Heart April 8th

It was a cold night in Sedona, Arizona. An unexpected snowstorm had passed through the usually warm city, dumping several inches of snow in a short time. The electricity was off. The cabin I was staying in was freezing. Great, I thought. I get to spend my last evening in Sedona fighting off hypothermia aloneContinue reading “Enjoy The Adventure – Journey To The Heart April 8th”

Toward Partnership – As Bill Sees It #292

When the distortion of family life through alcohol has been great, a long period of patient striving may be necessary. After the husband joins A.A., the wife may become discontented, even highly resentful that A.A. has done the very thing that all her years of devotion had failed to do. Her husband may become soContinue reading “Toward Partnership – As Bill Sees It #292”

Where Do We Find Peace – Each Day A New Beginning April 5th

I came to the conclusion then that “continual mindfulness”. . . must mean, not a sergeant-major-like drilling of thoughts, but a continual readiness to look and readiness to accept whatever came. –Joanna Field Resistance to the events, the situations, the many people who come into our lives blocks the growth we are offered every day.Continue reading “Where Do We Find Peace – Each Day A New Beginning April 5th”