She had trouble defining herself independently of her husband, tried to talk to him about it, but he said nonsense, he had no trouble defining her at all.—Cynthia Propper Seton To recover means to learn who we are, independent of friends, children, parents, or intimate partners. It means knowing how we want to spend ourContinue reading “January 23rd Daily Reflection”
Category Archives: Emotional Sobriety
On Cultivating Tolerance – by Dr. Bob Grapevine Article July 1944
During nine years in AA, I have observed that those who follow the Alcoholics Anonymous program with the greatest earnestness and zeal not only maintain sobriety but often acquire finer characteristics and attitudes as well. One of these is tolerance. Tolerance expresses itself in a variety of ways: in kindness and consideration toward the manContinue reading “On Cultivating Tolerance – by Dr. Bob Grapevine Article July 1944”
Happiness Overrated? – Grapevine Article August 2006 Jim W
I sometimes find myself irritable, restless, discontented, or depressed for no apparent reason at all. Today, in my recovery, it usually doesn’t take long before I suffer from ill attitudes or behaviors directly linked to what I describe as being disconnected, or in a stagnant spiritual pool. At this point, I usually launch a personalContinue reading “Happiness Overrated? – Grapevine Article August 2006 Jim W”
Spiritual Agony – Grapevine Article February 2001 by Holly H also published in AA Grapevine Book entitled ‘Emotional Sobriety’
MAKING AN AMENDS to the murderer of a precious friend was the most terrifying prospect — next to taking another drink — that I have faced in sobriety . But it also turned out to be the most liberating action I have ever taken sober and the opportunity for which I am most grateful .Continue reading “Spiritual Agony – Grapevine Article February 2001 by Holly H also published in AA Grapevine Book entitled ‘Emotional Sobriety’”
True Independence of the Spirit – As Bill Sees It (Meditation #26)
The more we become willing to depend upon a Higher Power, the more independent we actually are. Therefore, dependence as A.A. practices it is really a means of gaining true independence of the spirit. At the level of everyday living, it is startling to discover how dependent we really are, and how unconscious of thatContinue reading “True Independence of the Spirit – As Bill Sees It (Meditation #26)”
Suffering Transmuted – As Bill Sees It Meditations #35
“A.A. is no success story in the ordinary sense of the word. It is a story of suffering transmuted, under grace, into spiritual progress.” LETTER, 1959 ‹‹ ‹‹ ‹‹ ›› ›› ›› For Dr. Bob, the insatiable craving for alcohol was evidently a physical phenomenon which bedeviled several of his first years in A.A., aContinue reading “Suffering Transmuted – As Bill Sees It Meditations #35”
Daily Acceptance – Meditation #44 As Bill Sees It
Too much of my life has been spent in dwelling upon the faults of others . This is a most subtle and perverse form of self – satisfaction , which permits us to remain comfortably unaware of our own defects . Too often we are heard to say , ‘ If it weren’t for himContinue reading “Daily Acceptance – Meditation #44 As Bill Sees It”
Satisfactions of Right Living As Bill Sees It # 254
How wonderful is the feeling that we do not have to be specially distinguished among our fellows in order to be useful and profoundly happy . Not many of us can be leaders of prominence , nor do we wish to be . Service gladly rendered , obligations squarely met , troubles well accepted orContinue reading “Satisfactions of Right Living As Bill Sees It # 254”
Isolation – Are You Kidding? Ruth H. Grapevine July 2020
Who said change is easy? Staying sober and sane through a health crisis requires all the Steps she’s got Without the support of my Twelve Step programs, I don’t know that I could navigate the kind of change that’s happening now. As it became obvious that COVID-19 was going to impact our world and myContinue reading “Isolation – Are You Kidding? Ruth H. Grapevine July 2020”
AA Tradition How It Developed – AA Pamphlet 1955 by Bill W
How shall we A.A.’s best preserve our unity? That is the subject of this booklet. When an alcoholic applies the Twelve Steps of our recovery program to his personal life, his disintegration stops and his unification begins. The Power which now holds him together in one piece overcomes those forces which had rent him apart.Continue reading “AA Tradition How It Developed – AA Pamphlet 1955 by Bill W”