Category Archives: Courage

The Key To Step 1 – Recovery 2.0 By Tommy Rosen

The 1st Step is the most important one of all, and for so many, this is where the internal struggle begins. Admitting one’s powerlessness is hard enough on the ego, but it also hits on a deep fear that most people hold: the fear of change. One senses that “the party is over.” By reallyContinue reading “The Key To Step 1 – Recovery 2.0 By Tommy Rosen”

As Bill Sees It – Freedom To Choose # 124

Looking back, we see that our freedom to choose badly was not, after all, a very real freedom. When we chose because we “must,” this was not a free choice, either. But it got us started in the right direction. When we chose because we “ought to,” we were really doing better. This time weContinue reading “As Bill Sees It – Freedom To Choose # 124”

What Matters Most – Grapevine Article September 2021 By Kristin S.

Sometimes the results of our efforts to make amends take years. Sometimes they come after a lot of painful rejection. God’s timing is often mysterious, but it’s perfect. My dad and I had a rocky relationship while I was drinking. He kicked me out and had very little to do with me near the end.Continue reading “What Matters Most – Grapevine Article September 2021 By Kristin S.”

Dependence – Unhealthy Or Healthy – As Bill Sees It #72

Dependence—Unhealthy or Healthy Nothing can be more demoralizing than a clinging and abject dependence upon another human being. This often amounts to the demand for a degree of protection and love that no one could possibly satisfy. So our hoped-for protectors finally flee, and once more we are left alone—either to grow up or toContinue reading “Dependence – Unhealthy Or Healthy – As Bill Sees It #72”

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”

Finding Clarity & Practicing Patience – Each Day A New Beginning April 27th

So much to say. And so much not to say! Some things are better left unsaid. But so many unsaid things can become a burden. –Virginia Mae Axline The occasions are many when we’d like to share a feeling, an observation, perhaps even a criticism with someone. The risk is great, however. She might beContinue reading “Finding Clarity & Practicing Patience – Each Day A New Beginning April 27th”

Happiness Is Not The Point – Daily Reflection April 26th

I don’t think happiness or unhappiness is the point. How do we meet the problems we face? How do we best learn from them and transmit what we have learned to others, if they would receive the knowledge?AS BILL SEES IT, p. 306 In my search “to be happy,” I changed jobs, married and divorced,Continue reading “Happiness Is Not The Point – Daily Reflection April 26th”

The Wily Ego – Grapevine Article December 1962 By Harry M. Tiebout,M.D.

The capacity of the Ego to bypass experience is astounding and would be humorous were it not so tragic in its consequences. Cutting the individual down to size and making the results last is a task never completely accomplished. The possibility of a return of his infantile Ego must be faced by every alcoholic. IfContinue reading “The Wily Ego – Grapevine Article December 1962 By Harry M. Tiebout,M.D.”

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.”