Step Three I WAS WHAT is called a high-bottom drunk. When I got to the AA program, I had not been beaten down enough to have anything even remotely approaching real humility. I was smug, arrogant, self-satisfied, and certain that every area of my life except my alcoholism was firmly and securely under my control.Continue reading “Turn It All Over – Grapevine Article January 1984 by J.W.”
Category Archives: Expectations
The Twelve Promises following the 9th Step – Big Book pg 83,84
If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are half way through. The Twelve Promises Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled among us—sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. They will always materialize if we work for them.
Character Building – Daily Reflection April 2nd
Character Building Demand made upon other people for too much attention, protection , and love can only invite domination or revulsion…TWELVE STEPS&TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 44 When I uncovered my need for approval in the Fourth Step, I didn’t think it should rank as a character defect. I wanted to think of it more as anContinue reading “Character Building – Daily Reflection April 2nd”
The Root Of Our Troubles – Grapevine Article December 1979 by B.S.
He had created a whole universe centered around himself MANY YEARS ago, When I was just a small boy, filled with curiosity, I went to my father and asked him what heaven was like. Wisely, instead of trying to describe something no one really knows anything about, he asked me this question: “Suppose you wereContinue reading “The Root Of Our Troubles – Grapevine Article December 1979 by B.S.”
That Day On The Bridge – Grapevine Article September 1962 by M.D.B
My thoughts were on a collision course with the oncoming train (yet all my troubles were within myself) IN May or June of 1948, I stood on the side of a viaduct in western Oregon and played host to a legion of morbid thoughts. A fast freight train rushed towards the tracks directly below. SinceContinue reading “That Day On The Bridge – Grapevine Article September 1962 by M.D.B”
It’s Not The Shoelace – Grapevine Article May 2010 by Jim H.
An AA sees that time in the program doesn’t make him immune to negative emotions Recently, my home group conducted a workshop exploring emotional sobriety. We broke it up into different aspects such as “What is emotional sobriety?” “How does it differ from physical sobriety?”, etc. My assignment was to explore: “Why we need emotionalContinue reading “It’s Not The Shoelace – Grapevine Article May 2010 by Jim H.”
Here & Now – Grapevine Article June 2022 by Maryellen O.
Through cancer and COVID, this longtimer finds joy in service and accepting life exactly where it is I had no idea when I walked into AA 36 years ago that I’d be where I am today. I’ve been sober more than half my life, surrounded by so much love. God has graced me with moreContinue reading “Here & Now – Grapevine Article June 2022 by Maryellen O.”
Attitude Adjustment – Grapevine Article September 1994 by M.D.
When I first walked through the doors of AA I didn’t think I was an alcoholic; I was just unable to stop drinking. Nothing in my life was going right. My adolescent kids treated me with anger or pity. My health was shot. I always had colds or aches and pains, and nothing about myContinue reading “Attitude Adjustment – Grapevine Article September 1994 by M.D.”
Table For One – Grapevine Article June 2017 by Robyn R
How one member found she doesn’t need a man on her arm or a drink in her hand to define her When I arrived in the rooms of AA, I often heard members say that they were “unemployable.” For my part, I still had a job (holding onto it mostly by blackmail), so I beganContinue reading “Table For One – Grapevine Article June 2017 by Robyn R”
Between the Extremes – As Bill Sees It #159
“The real question is whether we can learn anything from our experiences upon which we may grow and help others to grow in the likeness and image of God. “We know that if we rebel against doing that which is reasonably possible for us, then we will be penalized. And we will be equally penalizedContinue reading “Between the Extremes – As Bill Sees It #159”