Sunlight and Air – Grapevine Article May 1999 by Cheryl M.

Step 5 – Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. I came to Alcoholics Anonymous young in years but sick of soul and full of secrets. Now, in my middle age, I no longer harbor secrets, and my soul is in better health than ever. It’sContinue reading “Sunlight and Air – Grapevine Article May 1999 by Cheryl M.”

A Program Of Action – Grapevine Article March 1989 by J.L.

Step Three – Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. As an atheist with long-term sobriety in Alcoholics Anonymous, I am occasionally asked how I resolve my atheist philosophies with the program’s strong reliance on belief in God’s participation in recovery fromContinue reading “A Program Of Action – Grapevine Article March 1989 by J.L.”

Darkness Visible – Grapevine Article by Toby M.

His alcoholism and bipolar disorder conspired to keep him in some fearful places My drinking started when I was 17 years old. Some friends and I got hold of some liquor and beer, which we drank in the back of my friend’s truck bed. We sat drinking and smoking cigarettes. Everyone was getting pretty drunkContinue reading “Darkness Visible – Grapevine Article by Toby M.”

Starting My Day – Grapevine Article March 2023 By Paul M.

He learned that a good day of service can begin with a well-made bed When I was a boy, my mother insisted that I make my bed every morning. Well, I didn’t want to since I was just going to mess it up again that night. Many years later, when I started going in andContinue reading “Starting My Day – Grapevine Article March 2023 By Paul M.”

Can We Choose – As Bill Sees It #4

We must never be blinded by the futile philosophy that we are just the hapless victims of our inheritance, of our life experience, and of our surroundings — that these are the sole forces that make our decisions for us. This is not the road to freedom. We have to believe that we can reallyContinue reading “Can We Choose – As Bill Sees It #4”

An Indescribable Benevolence – Grapevine Article August 1992 by Margaret G.

Step Two can reveal our true colors Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.” What does this Step mean to me, a woman with just nine months of sobriety in AA behind her? What was my process of “coming to believe,” and in what way do I feelContinue reading “An Indescribable Benevolence – Grapevine Article August 1992 by Margaret G.”

The Bedevilments – Big Book p.52-53

We had to ask ourselves why we shouldn’t apply to our human problems this same readiness to change our point of view. We were having trouble with personal relationships, we couldn’t control our emotional natures, we were a prey to misery and depression, we couldn’t make a living, we had a feeling of uselessness, weContinue reading “The Bedevilments – Big Book p.52-53”

The Strange Mental Blank Spot – Grapevine Article by Louisa P.

An alcoholic does battle with the strange mental blank spot that separates her (and all alcoholics) from the rest of humanity Alcoholism is a physical, mental, and spiritual disease. That’s what we learn in AA. Alcoholism is merely a lack of self-discipline. That’s what most of the world thinks. Alcoholics can exert all the self-disciplineContinue reading “The Strange Mental Blank Spot – Grapevine Article by Louisa P.”

Step 1 What Is The Problem – The Steps We Took by Joe McQ

Joe McQ is the Joe of the well known Joe & Charlie BB studies, tapes, and retreats. He has some compelling wisdom for us about Step 1 in his book entitled ‘The Steps We Took’. Here is a short extract of the first portion of his chapter on Step 1 What is the Problem? WeContinue reading “Step 1 What Is The Problem – The Steps We Took by Joe McQ”

Living In Today – Daily Reflections December 31st

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. AS BILL SEES IT, p. 284 A New Year: 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days, 8,760 hours, 525,600 minutes — a time to consider directions, goals, and actions. I mustContinue reading “Living In Today – Daily Reflections December 31st”