Category Archives: Clarity

Little Surrenders – Grapevine Article August 1982 by D.J.

Through the Seventh Step he realized that we “carry our worlds within ourselves ABOUT TWO years ago, I made a fortuitous discovery while experiencing a disturbing episode during my recovery. As a result, the Seventh Step became my tool for everyday coping and living. The emotional impact of this happening was like that of findingContinue reading “Little Surrenders – Grapevine Article August 1982 by D.J.”

Acceptance & Expectations – 12 Essential Insights For Emotional Sobriety – Dr. Allen Berger

Acceptance is one of the “big ideas” in recovery. There is a natural connection between self-acceptance—learning to accept our true self as we are—and learning to accept the world as it is. And the world as it is never fits our expectations. That’s a tough lesson, because a part of us always clings to theContinue reading “Acceptance & Expectations – 12 Essential Insights For Emotional Sobriety – Dr. Allen Berger”

Can We Choose – As Bill Sees It #4

We must never be blinded by the futile philosophy that we are just the hapless victims of our inheritance, of our life experience, and of our surroundings — that these are the sole forces that make our decisions for us. This is not the road to freedom. We have to believe that we can reallyContinue reading “Can We Choose – As Bill Sees It #4”

Response Ability – Grapevine Article June 2011 by Joe V.

The burdens of obligation transform to gifts of sobriety Before and during my drinking days, people were always talking to me about responsibility. I “had a responsibility” to be an excellent student, obedient son and religious child. I was also somehow responsible that children on the other side of the world didn’t go to bedContinue reading “Response Ability – Grapevine Article June 2011 by Joe V.”

Self Acceptance – 12 Essential Insights For Emotional Sobriety by Dr. Allen Berger

Acceptance and Self-Acceptance Acceptance comes in two types: acceptance of the world as it is and, more specifically, acceptance of who we are as individuals. Acceptance is one of the “big ideas” in recovery. This is one of the great challenges we face: accepting that life is what it is. When we struggle with addiction,Continue reading “Self Acceptance – 12 Essential Insights For Emotional Sobriety by Dr. Allen Berger”

Difficulty Reveals Character – Grapevine Article October 2021 by Ron B.

A member shares some powerful thoughts about AA’s patience, resilience and creativity during COVID-19 When I first read Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions with my sponsor some 10 years ago, I was struck by Bill W.’s description of AA members in the armed forces during World War II. Even though they were far from homeContinue reading “Difficulty Reveals Character – Grapevine Article October 2021 by Ron B.”

An Indescribable Benevolence – Grapevine Article August 1992 by Margaret G.

Step Two can reveal our true colors Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.” What does this Step mean to me, a woman with just nine months of sobriety in AA behind her? What was my process of “coming to believe,” and in what way do I feelContinue reading “An Indescribable Benevolence – Grapevine Article August 1992 by Margaret G.”

The Bedevilments – Big Book p.52-53

We had to ask ourselves why we shouldn’t apply to our human problems this same readiness to change our point of view. We were having trouble with personal relationships, we couldn’t control our emotional natures, we were a prey to misery and depression, we couldn’t make a living, we had a feeling of uselessness, weContinue reading “The Bedevilments – Big Book p.52-53”

Modern Man In Search of Soul – Bill W’s 2nd and final letter to Dr. Carl Jung from the AA book ‘Pass It On.

Bill W’s letter to Dr. Carl Jung crediting him for his contribution to AA and Dr. Jung’s very insightful response about his own inability to help an alcoholic (Roland H) recover but his recognition of the alcoholic ‘craving for alcohol as the equivalent, on a low level, of the spiritual thirst of our being forContinue reading “Modern Man In Search of Soul – Bill W’s 2nd and final letter to Dr. Carl Jung from the AA book ‘Pass It On.”

Clearing A Channel – As Bill Sees It #78

During the day, we can pause where situations must be met and decisions made, and renew the simple request “Thy will, not mine, be done.” If at these points our emotional disturbance happens to be great, we will more surely keep our balance provided we remember, and repeat to ourselves, a particular prayer or phraseContinue reading “Clearing A Channel – As Bill Sees It #78”