ON Thursday, October 31, 1963 Dr. Sam Shoemaker, the great Episcopal clergyman and first friend of AA, passed from our sight and hearing. He was one of those few without whose ministration AA could never have been born in the first place–nor prospered since. From his teaching, Dr. Bob and I absorbed most of theContinue reading “In Memory Of Dr. Sam – Grapevine Article January 1964 By Bill W.”
Category Archives: Fear
To Rebuild Security – As Bill See It #301
In our behavior respecting financial and emotional security, fear, greed, possessiveness, and pride have too often done their worst. Surveying his business or employment record, almost any alcoholic can ask questions like these: In addition to my drinking problem, what character defects contributed to my financial instability? Did fear and inferiority about my fitness forContinue reading “To Rebuild Security – As Bill See It #301”
Frank Buchman and Alcoholics Anonymous – An Apology That Inspired A Million Amends By Jay Stinnett
When we read in the Big Book that “resentment is the number one offender. It destroys more alcoholics than anything else” (BB p.64) ; we may not have a real perspective on how fundamental the amends process has been to AA’s success in enabling us to stay sober one day at a time. You mightContinue reading “Frank Buchman and Alcoholics Anonymous – An Apology That Inspired A Million Amends By Jay Stinnett”
Some Longtime Views – Grapevine Article March 1984 By P.O.
MAY A SPECIAL shaft of serenity shine upon some alcoholic who thought up and shared that pleasant word “long-timer” instead of “old-timer.” I must reciprocate with some long-time views! One month ago, I shared my thirty-fifth AA birthday on a Sunday night at a meeting in Rondebosch. There was no banquet, no bells, not evenContinue reading “Some Longtime Views – Grapevine Article March 1984 By P.O.”
Faith – A Blueprint – And Work – As Bill Sees It #284
The idea of ‘twenty-four-hour living’ applies primarily to the emotional life of the individual. Emotionally speaking, we must not live in yesterday, nor in tomorrow. But I have never been able to see that this means the individual, the group, or A.A. as a whole should give no thought whatever to how to function tomorrowContinue reading “Faith – A Blueprint – And Work – As Bill Sees It #284”
The Rabbi, Equanimity & The Serenity Prayer By Rav Carl Kinbar
G-d, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, And wisdom to know the difference. The Serenity Prayer, Kosher Version The Riverton Mussar’s definition of equanimity begins, “Equanimity is about having balance, level-headedness and calmness of spirit.” Equanimity is a middah, the ability to maintainContinue reading “The Rabbi, Equanimity & The Serenity Prayer By Rav Carl Kinbar”
Let There Be Light – Grapevine Article November 2025 By Elsie T.
An Ohio member expresses her love of our braille literature in a May 1957 Grapevine article This morning it arrived just like that—I mean the Big Book in braille! The postman placed in my arms four of those six precious volumes, cautioning me to not drop them. Drop them—how could I? This for which IContinue reading “Let There Be Light – Grapevine Article November 2025 By Elsie T.”
You’ll Go Where You Look – More Language Of Letting Go October 16th
There was only one tree in the landing area. Most of its leaves had been stripped away by the winter winds. I didn’t want to hit it, but that’s exactly what I did. My parachute opened up right over the student landing area, a blessing for someone as new and unsure as I. I flewContinue reading “You’ll Go Where You Look – More Language Of Letting Go October 16th”
Surrender, Vulnerability and Connection By Steve K.
The experience of surrender is the gateway to recovery from addiction. To paraphrase the first Step of the AA 12-Step program, at this moment we experience an acceptance that we lack control and that our life is unmanageable. Our ego surrenders its will through the pain and suffering of addiction. Our denial is broken, and we experienceContinue reading “Surrender, Vulnerability and Connection By Steve K.”
Amends Without Expectations – Just For Today October 6th
06 October The Eighth Step asks us to become willing to make amends to all persons we have harmed. As we approach this step, we may wonder what the outcome of our amends will be. Will we be forgiven? Relieved of any lingering guilt? Or will we be tarred and feathered by the persons we’veContinue reading “Amends Without Expectations – Just For Today October 6th”