Friendship of a kind that cannot easily be reversed tomorrow must have its roots in common interests and shared beliefs.–Barbara W. Tuchman The gift of friendship has been extended to each of us sharing this program. Our interest is common: we want to stay abstinent. And we share the belief that a power greater thanContinue reading “Friendship In Recovery- Each Day A New Beginning February 14th”
Category Archives: Contributing
Some Longtime Views – Grapevine Article March 1984 By P.O.
MAY A SPECIAL shaft of serenity shine upon some alcoholic who thought up and shared that pleasant word “long-timer” instead of “old-timer.” I must reciprocate with some long-time views! One month ago, I shared my thirty-fifth AA birthday on a Sunday night at a meeting in Rondebosch. There was no banquet, no bells, not evenContinue reading “Some Longtime Views – Grapevine Article March 1984 By P.O.”
Cold Land Warm Hearts – Grapevine Article December 2023 By Keith J.
How would they find alcoholics to help in a small, remote Arctic town? One guy had a terrific solution Moving north to a remote community is something I never thought we would do. We heard depressing stories about the cold, dark winters and leaving everything and everyone behind, but God had an assignment for meContinue reading “Cold Land Warm Hearts – Grapevine Article December 2023 By Keith J.”
I Stand At The Door – Recovery Poem By Sam Shoemaker (Who Bill W Describes As A Co-Founder of AA)
In our monthly speaker meeting, Rachel M. read this powerful poem written by Sam Shoemaker who Bill W describes as an AA co-founder. You may also find Sam’s Grapevine article entitled ‘“The Spiritual Angle of AA” worthwhile. Sam Shoemaker(1893-1963) was an Episcopal priest who was instrumental in the Oxford Group and founding principles of AlcoholicsContinue reading “I Stand At The Door – Recovery Poem By Sam Shoemaker (Who Bill W Describes As A Co-Founder of AA)”
Forgiveness & Resenting The Painful Side Of Life – Forgive For Good Recovery Workbook By Fred Luskin
I believe the movement from being a pain killer to becoming a pain healer is at the heart of recovery. This article helps us understand the crucial role forgiveness can play in this healing movement. It’s extracted from a recently published workbook specifically designed for integrating forgiveness with the Twelve Steps. The author, Dr. FredContinue reading “Forgiveness & Resenting The Painful Side Of Life – Forgive For Good Recovery Workbook By Fred Luskin”
Those Other People – As Bill Sees It #268
Just like you, I have often thought myself the victim of what other people say and do. Yet every time I confessed the sins of such people, especially those whose sins did not correspond exactly with my own, I found that I only increased the total damage. My own resentment, my self-pity would often renderContinue reading “Those Other People – As Bill Sees It #268”
The Olive Branch – Grapevine Article September 2025 By Charlene P
Repairing relationships is an amazing thing. But the amends this mother experienced was to “dye” for Today I sit here at an AA women’s retreat full of gratitude. Sometimes, trying to find gratitude when you’re lonely and have no contact with family can be challenging. I have six years and almost eight months of sobriety,Continue reading “The Olive Branch – Grapevine Article September 2025 By Charlene P”
Invictus – Recovery Poem By William Ernest Henley
Nelson Mandela, the anti-apartheid leader who was jailed for his activism and in 1994 became South Africa’s first black President, regularly recited one poem during his more than twenty-five years of imprisonment—the 1875 poem “Invictus” by English poet William Ernest Henley. The poem, which helped Mandela persist through extraordinarily challenging circumstances, includes the iconic lines,Continue reading “Invictus – Recovery Poem By William Ernest Henley”
Unacceptable – Grapevine Article October 2022 By Allen B.
Note – Allen B. is also Dr. Allen Berger the author of a number of articles in our Emotional Sobriety section of the website and the book ‘12 Essential Insights For Emotional Sobriety’. I stood there in line growing more and more impatient. After all, I had important things to do. I didn’t have theContinue reading “Unacceptable – Grapevine Article October 2022 By Allen B.”
Practicing Convey Not Convince – Reminders For Effective Conversations By Thom R.
In the 4th step of the Twelve & Twelve on page 53, we are presented with this assertion: “The primary fact that we fail to recognize is our total inability to form a true partnership with another human being. Our egomania digs two disastrous pitfalls. Either we insist upon dominating the people we know, orContinue reading “Practicing Convey Not Convince – Reminders For Effective Conversations By Thom R.”