There are those in A.A. whom we call “destructive” critics. They power-drive, they are “politickers,” they make accusations to gain their ends—all for the good of A.A., of course! But we have learned that these folks need not be really destructive. We ought to listen carefully to what they say. Sometimes they are telling theContinue reading “Constructive Workouts – As Bill Sees It #215”
Category Archives: Expectations
Late-blooming Character Defects – Grapevine Article October 1984 By E.F.
What counts is what we learn after we know it all I NO LONGER believe in coincidences! Last fall, when I had been sober almost twelve years, an AA friend dropped by just at a time when I needed help and didn’t know exactly what was going on inside of me. I had received twoContinue reading “Late-blooming Character Defects – Grapevine Article October 1984 By E.F.”
Staying In Your Own Business – Loving What Is By Bryon Katie
I can find only three kinds of business in the universe: mine, yours, and God’s. For me, the word God means “reality.” Reality is God, because it rules. Anything that’s out of my control, your control, and everyone else’s control — I call that God’s business. Much of our stress comes from mentally living out of our own business.Continue reading “Staying In Your Own Business – Loving What Is By Bryon Katie”
The Case Of The Inflated Ego – Grapevine Article August 2001 By Jacklyn S.
Only Step Seven–humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings–mentions humility specifically, yet all of the Steps seem to have an element of it. Some Steps require a big helping of humility to get going on the Step in the first place (for example, admitting we are powerless or that we are insane). Or, as aContinue reading “The Case Of The Inflated Ego – Grapevine Article August 2001 By Jacklyn S.”
It’s Worth The Work – Grapevine Article August 2024 By Doug M.
Through years of sober experience, good and bad, he learned about love, faith and sharing the fun Relationships are hard. I’m not sure if they are harder for alcoholics, but they certainly aren’t easier. My first day of sobriety was the day after a very messy Valentine’s night [see Doug’s February 2014 story, “My MessyContinue reading “It’s Worth The Work – Grapevine Article August 2024 By Doug M.”
Finding Happiness Within – Each Day A New Beginning July 13th
The trouble is not that we are never happy–it is that happiness is so episodical. –Ruth Benedict Happiness is our birthright. The decision to be happy is ours to make, every day, when confronted with any experience. Too many of us grew up believing that life needed to be a certain way for us toContinue reading “Finding Happiness Within – Each Day A New Beginning July 13th”
Our Design For Living – Each Day A New Beginning September 14th
What a strange pattern the shuttle of life can weave – Francis Marion How shortsighted is our judgment about today’s experiences! We’ll see with clarity where they may lead us only after we’ve reached our destination. Of one thing we can be certain: Today’s experiences, in concert with yesterday’s and all that’s gone before, areContinue reading “Our Design For Living – Each Day A New Beginning September 14th”
Persist Or Let Go – Touchstone Reflection July 3rd
Vitality shows not only in the ability to persist but in the ability to start over.—F. Scott Fitzgerald Many situations require fierce persistence, but in others we need to start over. Early in recovery, most of us haven’t had a good way of knowing the difference. Perhaps with every challenge we tried harder and heldContinue reading “Persist Or Let Go – Touchstone Reflection July 3rd”
Whose Will ? As Bill Sees It # 170
We have seen A.A.’s ask with much earnestness and faith for God’s explicit guidance on matters ranging all the way from a shattering domestic or financial crisis to a minor personal fault, like tardiness. A man who tries to run his life rigidly by this kind of prayer, by this self-serving demand of God forContinue reading “Whose Will ? As Bill Sees It # 170”
Own Your Reality – Off Balance On Purpose By Dan Thurman
Dan Thurman has written an excellent book entitled ‘Off Balance On Purpose’. I believe his chapter on ‘Own Your Reality’ has some very useful complements and pragmatic wisdom to help us to a more accurate and meaningful self examination that has no ceiling and the reality that more can always be revealed. I see muchContinue reading “Own Your Reality – Off Balance On Purpose By Dan Thurman”