Would AA’s Fourth Step have changed the ending of the famous old horror story? THREE-QUARTERS of a century ago, Fanny Stevenson, frightened in the night by her husband’s cries and moans, prodded him into wakefulness. In a dawning state of consciousness he was annoyed, and not for the usually mundane reason. Robert Louis Stevenson, whoContinue reading “Tenth Step Thoughts – Grapevine Article October 1962 by C.D.A.”
Category Archives: Forgiveness
Meditation Meeting, Feb. 21st 2021 –Introduction to Meditation, (Revised)
By Wayne S. Includes excerpts and text edited from: AA Twelve and Twelve – 11th Step, miscellaneous excerpts from various sessions from the app Waking Up by Sam Harris, Tracy Cochran blogpost Giving is Receiving The Get Up, Get Out, Get Sober (GUGOGS) meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous devotes the meeting on the third Sunday of each month toContinue reading “Meditation Meeting, Feb. 21st 2021 –Introduction to Meditation, (Revised)”
Living Amends – Grapevine Article December 1955 by J.E.
ONE of the deeply disturbing things about the Twelve Steps, taken as a whole, is that they never let an alcoholic off the hook, though sometimes they may appear to temporarily. Take the so-called “house-cleaning” steps, for instance. You’ve been through the wretchedness of Steps Four through Seven, and then Step Eight comes along andContinue reading “Living Amends – Grapevine Article December 1955 by J.E.”
Reality – Grapevine Article July 1981 by J.W.
SOMEWHERE along the line, I bought a bill of goods that said I should never have to be uncomfortable. I bought it as a child and used the things of children to make it so. Later, I used alcohol to make it more so. Alcohol failed, and I had to find a substitute. I cameContinue reading “Reality – Grapevine Article July 1981 by J.W.”
Yes to Sobriety – Grapevine Article Web Exclusive by Ken K.
In the aftermath of the tragic death of a sponsee, his sponsor reflects back on life, service, and relapse in AA “Ken, I think something bad happened to Dan.” With those words, spoken softly over the telephone by a fellow recovering alcoholic early one evening last spring, my worst fears as an AA sponsor beganContinue reading “Yes to Sobriety – Grapevine Article Web Exclusive by Ken K.”
Pain is the Touchstone – AA Grapevine by Anonymous August 1991
Lori and I didn’t talk much. Instead, we specialized in our own nonverbal brands of communication. That’s why it came as such a shock to me when she finally did verbalize “separation.” After five years of marriage I had settled into a monotonous routine. I knew that the marriage wasn’t exciting or even rewarding butContinue reading “Pain is the Touchstone – AA Grapevine by Anonymous August 1991”
Living Sober – Chapter 16 Being Good To Yourself
When a loved one or a dear friend of ours is recuperating from a serious illness , we generally try to give what good nurses call T.L.C . ( Tender Loving Care ) . We pamper a sick child , providing favorite foods and some fun to help in recovery . Convalescence from the illnessContinue reading “Living Sober – Chapter 16 Being Good To Yourself”
We Get What We Get – Grapevine Article October 2001 by Ernest S
MY LOCAL MEETINGS ARE BIG on this spot – check reminder : you get what you get ; it’s what you do with it that counts From attending AA meetings in Iowa for the two years I spent in graduate school there, I brought home this question to add to my daily Tenth Step checklistContinue reading “We Get What We Get – Grapevine Article October 2001 by Ernest S”
About Forgiveness – Grapevine Article October 1957 by Tani from London
WHAT is FORGIVENESS? As an alcoholic, now sober In AA, I think that I know what it feels like to be forgiven by other people. I could not feel forgiveness in my drinking days because I could not forgive myself. I was playing God and counted myself worthy only of punishment. With continuous sobriety comesContinue reading “About Forgiveness – Grapevine Article October 1957 by Tani from London”
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’”