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”

The Birth of Spiritual Confidence – Grapevine Article June 2005 by Dave C.

Steps to remove the desire to drink I arrived at the doors of AA in 1983 with a problem; I just wasn’t sure what the problem was. I thought I had a drinking problem. Then someone suggested that maybe my drinking problem really reflected a thinking problem. I was sure he was wrong; I justContinue reading “The Birth of Spiritual Confidence – Grapevine Article June 2005 by Dave C.”

Hidden Strength – Grapevine Article February 1997 by Donna G.

Solutions in Sobriety Getting through each sober day is an extra challenge for me. I was first diagnosed with an incurable arthritic condition when I was forty years old and sober a few years. At first the doctor told me that my case was mild, but over the years the physical pain and discomfort hasContinue reading “Hidden Strength – Grapevine Article February 1997 by Donna G.”

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”

Dangers of Dogma – Bill W July 1965

Below are some powerful paragraphs from a July 1965 Grapevine article written by Bill W. This article was entitled ‘Responsibility Is Our Theme’. I find it a useful warning when I think I’ve found something that demands something from others. It also a warning of how difficult willingness to grow is when I find myselfContinue reading “Dangers of Dogma – Bill W July 1965”

Anchored In The Present – Jan 10th Reflection From Courage to Change

“The past has flown away. The coming month and year do not exist. Ours only is the present’s tiny point.” – Mahmoud Shabistari I suspect that if I reclaimed all the minutes, hours, and days I’ve sacrificed to worry and fear, I’d add years to my life. When I succumb to worry, I open aContinue reading “Anchored In The Present – Jan 10th Reflection From Courage to Change”

Discovering True Worth – Humility’s Role In Overcoming Shame and Pride – Practicing These Principles by Ray A.

Feeling that we are different, that we don’t belong or fit in, is a staple of the alcoholic story. However, few openly connect the feeling with shame. Bill W does. In Pass It On and Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, we read about two circumstances that fostered the emotion in him growing up. The firstContinue reading “Discovering True Worth – Humility’s Role In Overcoming Shame and Pride – Practicing These Principles by Ray A.”

How Important Is It Really – Practice These Principles Reflection by Ray A.

When I became president of my condo association, I started to notice that some neighbors were not particularly neighborly. People would do things like put their garbage outside their door and leave it there for hours before taking it down and depositing it in the dumpster. They would hang their doormat to dry on theContinue reading “How Important Is It Really – Practice These Principles Reflection by Ray A.”

Paddling Your Own Canoe – 12 Essential Insights To Emotional Insights by Dr. Allen Berger

If you have ever paddled a canoe, you know how unstable these boats can be. A canoe is relatively narrow and shallow, and that makes it easy to tip. Just a slight shift in your weight from one side to the other will cause it to rock in the water. If a canoe is turnedContinue reading “Paddling Your Own Canoe – 12 Essential Insights To Emotional Insights by Dr. Allen Berger”