I was in my sister’s house, living in the basement, next to the pool table, unemployed and for all practical purposes, unemployable. At the few interviews I did manage to get, I was vague and evasive. My creative genius–my mind–advised me there was something terribly wrong with my life. My mind told me, “If youContinue reading “My Mind And I – Grapevine Article September 1997 By Knoba D.”
Category Archives: Distortion
Feeling Good Isn’t The Point – Just For Today – February 4th
“For us, recovery is more than just pleasure.” Basic Text, p. 43 ❖ In our active addiction, most of us knew exactly how we were going to feel from one day to the next. All we had to do was read the label on the bottle or know what was in the bag. We plannedContinue reading “Feeling Good Isn’t The Point – Just For Today – February 4th”
Truthful Lives – Touchstone January 30th Reflection
Man can live his truth, his deepest truth, but cannot speak it. –Archibald MacLeish For many, being addicts meant living double lives. There were public selves whom others knew, and private selves whom no one met. It was a compulsive world, and both sides were false. Many of us grew up in addicted families andContinue reading “Truthful Lives – Touchstone January 30th Reflection”
Worshipers All – As Bill Sees It #23
We found that we had been indeed worshippers. What a state of mental goose flesh that used to bring on! Had we not variously worshipped people, sentiment, things, money, and ourselves? And then, with a better motive, had we not worshipfully beheld the sunset, the sea, or a flower? Who of us had not lovedContinue reading “Worshipers All – As Bill Sees It #23”
Eliminating Shame Through The Principles and Practices of Alcoholics Anonymous by Steve K.
The word shame is derived from the Indo-European ‘skein’, which means to hide. Shame makes us want to hide from ourselves, and our peers – making shame an existentially isolating state of mind. Feeling shame makes a person dejection-based, passive, or helpless, causing the ashamed person to focus more on devaluing or condemning his entireContinue reading “Eliminating Shame Through The Principles and Practices of Alcoholics Anonymous by Steve K.”
What And Who We Really Are – Grapevine Article October 1991 By John W.
I have now experienced nearly eight good years of continuously sober and active membership in the Fellowship of AA. Never during this time have I hesitated to express my heartfelt gratitude for the program and the many positive (and necessary) changes it has helped make possible in my life–a life including many years of active,Continue reading “What And Who We Really Are – Grapevine Article October 1991 By John W.”
Happiness Comes Quietly – Daily Reflection January 17th
When we examine what we demand and what we desire to possess, we have a great starting point for revealing our self-centered fears that may be unconscious and in need of healing. This can be a tremendous aid in our 4th step inventory. Click on the links to demands in this meditation to understand thisContinue reading “Happiness Comes Quietly – Daily Reflection January 17th”
The Spiritual Angle of AA – Grapevine Article October 1955 By Rev. Samuel Shoemaker
The early A.A. got its ideas of self-examination, acknowledgment of character defects, restitution for harm done, and working with others straight from the Oxford Groups and directly from Sam Shoemaker, their former leader in America, and from nowhere else.” — BILL W. IT was clear to Bill W. from the first, I take it, thatContinue reading “The Spiritual Angle of AA – Grapevine Article October 1955 By Rev. Samuel Shoemaker”
Welcome Criticism – As Bill Sees It #326
Thanks much for your letter of criticism. I’m certain that had it not been for its strong critics, A.A. would have made slower progress. For myself, I have come to set a high value on the people who have criticized me, whether they have seemed reasonable critics or unreasonable ones. Both have often restrained meContinue reading “Welcome Criticism – As Bill Sees It #326”
Positively Negative – Grapevine Article April 1973 by Dick H.
On the last page of the Big Book text, we are given the reminder that one of our objectives in this ongoing day a time twelve step process is to remain teachable with what one might describe as a beginner’s mind with this quote ‘ we realize we know only a little’. This article belowContinue reading “Positively Negative – Grapevine Article April 1973 by Dick H.”