When the Big “I” Becomes Nobody – Grapevine Article Sept 1965 By Dr. Harry Tiebout, MD

“And there was Dr. Harry Tiebout, our first friend of psychiatry, who very early began to use AA concepts in his own practice…” Bill W. in AA Comes of Age THE AA program of help is touched with elements of true inspiration, and in no place is that inspiration more evident than in the selection of itsContinue reading “When the Big “I” Becomes Nobody – Grapevine Article Sept 1965 By Dr. Harry Tiebout, MD”

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”

On Cultivating Tolerance – by Dr. Bob Grapevine Article July 1944

During nine years in AA, I have observed that those who follow the Alcoholics Anonymous program with the greatest earnestness and zeal not only maintain sobriety but often acquire finer characteristics and attitudes as well. One of these is tolerance. Tolerance expresses itself in a variety of ways: in kindness and consideration toward the manContinue reading “On Cultivating Tolerance – by Dr. Bob Grapevine Article July 1944”

A Beginning in Springtime – AA Grapevine April 1964 by M.C. Reno, NV

Watch the new life and feel its awakening EACH spring, as I watch the green shoots in the earth struggle towards the light, I am reminded of another spring and another struggle. As I watch the buds on the trees begin to open, as if they were awakening from a long sleep, I am remindedContinue reading “A Beginning in Springtime – AA Grapevine April 1964 by M.C. Reno, NV”

Happiness Overrated? – Grapevine Article August 2006 Jim W

I sometimes find myself irritable, restless, discontented, or depressed for no apparent reason at all. Today, in my recovery, it usually doesn’t take long before I suffer from ill attitudes or behaviors directly linked to what I describe as being disconnected, or in a stagnant spiritual pool. At this point, I usually launch a personalContinue reading “Happiness Overrated? – Grapevine Article August 2006 Jim W”

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’”

True Independence of the Spirit – As Bill Sees It (Meditation #26)

The more we become willing to depend upon a Higher Power, the more independent we actually are. Therefore, dependence as A.A. practices it is really a means of gaining true independence of the spirit. At the level of everyday living, it is startling to discover how dependent we really are, and how unconscious of thatContinue reading “True Independence of the Spirit – As Bill Sees It (Meditation #26)”

Suffering Transmuted – As Bill Sees It Meditations #35

“A.A. is no success story in the ordinary sense of the word. It is a story of suffering transmuted, under grace, into spiritual progress.” LETTER, 1959 ‹‹ ‹‹ ‹‹ ›› ›› ›› For Dr. Bob, the insatiable craving for alcohol was evidently a physical phenomenon which bedeviled several of his first years in A.A., aContinue reading “Suffering Transmuted – As Bill Sees It Meditations #35”

Satisfactions of Right Living As Bill Sees It # 254

How wonderful is the feeling that we do not have to be specially distinguished among our fellows in order to be useful and profoundly happy . Not many of us can be leaders of prominence , nor do we wish to be . Service gladly rendered , obligations squarely met , troubles well accepted orContinue reading “Satisfactions of Right Living As Bill Sees It # 254”

Isolation – Are You Kidding? Ruth H. Grapevine July 2020

Who said change is easy? Staying sober and sane through a health crisis requires all the Steps she’s got Without the support of my Twelve Step programs, I don’t know that I could navigate the kind of change that’s happening now. As it became obvious that COVID-19 was going to impact our world and myContinue reading “Isolation – Are You Kidding? Ruth H. Grapevine July 2020”