“There was a time when we ignored trouble, hoping it would go away. Or, in fear and in depression, we ran from it, but found it was still with us. Often, full of unreason, bitterness, and blame, we fought back. These mistaken attitudes, powered by alcohol, guaranteed our destruction, unless they were altered. “Then cameContinue reading “Trouble: Constructive or Destructive – As Bill Sees It #110”
Category Archives: Denial
Billy’s Death – Practicing These Principles Reflection by Ray A.
News arrived yesterday of Billy’s death. He was just a boy when I met him, probably around ten. Raised with two other siblings in a loving middle-class suburban home, he would grow up to be what most people would consider a successful young man, marrying and starting a lucrative career in a major city’s financialContinue reading “Billy’s Death – Practicing These Principles Reflection by Ray A.”
Staying Open to Change – Grapevine Article April 1994 by Ed C.
This AA says we need to feel free to look into “every dark cranny of the past” in order to understand ourselves I recently heard at a meeting, “If you really work the Third Step fully, like I did, you won’t need any outside help.” The next person added that his sponsor had told himContinue reading “Staying Open to Change – Grapevine Article April 1994 by Ed C.”
Legacy Of Resentment – Grapevine Article December 2010 by Tom L.
Chains of bitterness toward his mother are shattered through forgiveness Returning from school, halfway down the hall leading to my apartment, I smelled the familiar mixed odors of smoke and booze. With dread in my heart, I knew what I was about to face: my drunken mother in her messy housecoat, sitting on a chairContinue reading “Legacy Of Resentment – Grapevine Article December 2010 by Tom L.”
Running The Whole Show – As Bill Sees It #320
Most people try to live by self-propulsion. Each person is like an actor who wants to run the whole show and is forever trying to arrange the lights, the scenery and the rest of the players in his own way. If his arrangements would only stay put, if only people would do as he wished,Continue reading “Running The Whole Show – As Bill Sees It #320”
Insanity B – Grapevine Article February 2005 by Don H.
We know what works. Why don’t we always do it? A lot of people have trouble with the sanity clause in the Second Step. “How can a higher power restore me to sanity when I was never insane?” they protest. Not me. As I often tell my home group: When the attendants let me outContinue reading “Insanity B – Grapevine Article February 2005 by Don H.”
Neither Dependence Nor Self Sufficiency – As Bill Sees It #265
When we insisted, like infants, that people protect and take care of us or that the world owed us a living, then the result was unfortunate. The people we most loved often pushed us aside or perhaps deserted us entirely. Our disillusionment was hard to bear. We failed to see that, though adult in years,Continue reading “Neither Dependence Nor Self Sufficiency – As Bill Sees It #265”
To Have a Friend – Grapevine Article November 1965 by Anonymous
Does your idea of friendship include accepting a bit of well-timed criticism now and then? MORE than most people, we in this Fellowship need the sustenance of true friendship. We all arrive as loners and we are lifted from our pits of loneliness and despair by warmhearted people who are both kind and understanding. WhenContinue reading “To Have a Friend – Grapevine Article November 1965 by Anonymous”
The Jumping Off Place – Grapevine Article June 2002 by Anonymous
There is a chapter in the Big Book titled “A Vision for You.” A paragraph in that chapter talks about the jumping-off place. I reached that place one night in a bar after hours. I was twenty years old, and I had three children, a recent hysterectomy, and was on my third failing relationship. IContinue reading “The Jumping Off Place – Grapevine Article June 2002 by Anonymous”
Uncover , Discover and Discard – Mashup of 12 & 12 with Big Book & Sandy B Talk
Sandy B. Step 10/11 Talks Sandy B., one of the most effective AA speakers over the last 30 years, delivered an outstanding talk about Step 10/11 that is both very entertaining and incredibly insightful. If you enjoy this talk , you might want to check out other talks from Sandy which are all accessible from the Recordings Menu of theContinue reading “Uncover , Discover and Discard – Mashup of 12 & 12 with Big Book & Sandy B Talk”