Category Archives: Expectations

Little Surrenders – Grapevine Article August 1982 by D.J.

Through the Seventh Step he realized that we “carry our worlds within ourselves ABOUT TWO years ago, I made a fortuitous discovery while experiencing a disturbing episode during my recovery. As a result, the Seventh Step became my tool for everyday coping and living. The emotional impact of this happening was like that of findingContinue reading “Little Surrenders – Grapevine Article August 1982 by D.J.”

Acceptance & Expectations – 12 Essential Insights For Emotional Sobriety – Dr. Allen Berger

Acceptance is one of the “big ideas” in recovery. There is a natural connection between self-acceptance—learning to accept our true self as we are—and learning to accept the world as it is. And the world as it is never fits our expectations. That’s a tough lesson, because a part of us always clings to theContinue reading “Acceptance & Expectations – 12 Essential Insights For Emotional Sobriety – Dr. Allen Berger”

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”

Perception of Humility – As Bill Sees It #156

An improved perception of humility starts a revolutionary change in our outlook. Our eyes begin to open to the immense values which have come straight out of painful ego-puncturing. Until now, our lives have been largely devoted to running from pain and problems. Escape via the bottle was always our solution. Then, in A.A., weContinue reading “Perception of Humility – As Bill Sees It #156”

Brain Power Alone? – As Bill Sees It #60

To the intellectually self-sufficient man or woman, many A.A.’s can say, “Yes, we were like you—far too smart for our own good. We loved to have people call us precocious. We used our education to blow ourselves up into prideful balloons, though we were careful to hide this from others. Secretly, we felt we couldContinue reading “Brain Power Alone? – As Bill Sees It #60”

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”

Responsibility Is Our Theme – Grapevine Article July 1965 by Bill W

MARKING AA’s thirtieth year we shall, in this month of July, 1965, hold our International Convention at Toronto. It is most fitting that the chosen keynote for this gala occasion will be “AA’s Responsibility.” There we shall review the three decades of AA life that are now history. Stirred by gratitude beyond expression, we shallContinue reading “Responsibility Is Our Theme – Grapevine Article July 1965 by Bill W”

Learning To Feel – Grapevine Article February 2023 by Laura S.

Early in my sobriety, my sponsor Linda told me that I was allowed to call and whine about a situation exactly once. After that, we were going to talk about solutions, not problems. She also gave me a time limit on feeling sorry for myself. I can’t remember if it was 10 minutes or 15Continue reading “Learning To Feel – Grapevine Article February 2023 by Laura S.”

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”