Assigning labels to his behaviors helps an AA to change I took a Fourth and Fifth Step several times. Everytime, I rationalized my behavior, saying to myself: Yes, I did some bad things–but I am basically a really nice guy, so no further action is necessary. In 2001, I was doing the Steps again withContinue reading “A Matter Of Character – Grapevine Article February 2009 By Hal W.”
Category Archives: Grapevine Articles
The Case Of The Inflated Ego – Grapevine Article August 2001 By Jacklyn S.
Only Step Seven–humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings–mentions humility specifically, yet all of the Steps seem to have an element of it. Some Steps require a big helping of humility to get going on the Step in the first place (for example, admitting we are powerless or that we are insane). Or, as aContinue reading “The Case Of The Inflated Ego – Grapevine Article August 2001 By Jacklyn S.”
Let’s Be Friendly With Our Friends …The Clergy – Grapevine Article September 1957 By Bill W.
EVERY RIVER HAS A WELLSPRING at its source. AA is like that, too. In the beginning, there was a spring which poured out of a clergyman, Dr. Samuel Shoemaker. ‘Way back in 1934 he began to teach us the principles and attitudes that afterward came to full flower in AA’s Twelve Steps for Recovery. IfContinue reading “Let’s Be Friendly With Our Friends …The Clergy – Grapevine Article September 1957 By Bill W.”
It’s Worth The Work – Grapevine Article August 2024 By Doug M.
Through years of sober experience, good and bad, he learned about love, faith and sharing the fun Relationships are hard. I’m not sure if they are harder for alcoholics, but they certainly aren’t easier. My first day of sobriety was the day after a very messy Valentine’s night [see Doug’s February 2014 story, “My MessyContinue reading “It’s Worth The Work – Grapevine Article August 2024 By Doug M.”
Taking Gratitude For Granted – Grapevine Article May 2000 By Clancy I.
For a period of about two years, my daily walks became progressively more difficult. A searing pain in my lower legs eventually became almost unbearable. I found that stopping every block or two and sitting down would make the pain temporarily subside. The best physical therapists diagnosed my problem as stenosis (a gradual closing ofContinue reading “Taking Gratitude For Granted – Grapevine Article May 2000 By Clancy I.”
AA Communication Can Cross All Barriers – Grapevine Article October 1959 By Bill W.
EVERYONE must agree that we AAs are unbelievably fortunate people; fortunate that we have suffered so much; fortunate that we can know, understand and love each other so supremely well–these attributes and virtues are scarcely of the earned variety. Indeed most of us are well aware that these are rare gifts which have their trueContinue reading “AA Communication Can Cross All Barriers – Grapevine Article October 1959 By Bill W.”
A Circle Of Friends – Grapevine Article December 1992 By Jim D.
I was a loner all my life. I was always scared and ashamed. I was poor, I lived in a dilapidated house, and my alcoholic father put my family through hell. I never had any friends. I despised alcohol for dealing me such a rotten break in life. As an adult, I vowed never toContinue reading “A Circle Of Friends – Grapevine Article December 1992 By Jim D.”
The Care Of God – Grapevine Article December 1999 By Liz B.
Faith in a power greater than myself is something that I’m very grateful for today. But that wasn’t true in my early sobriety. For the first five years of my sobriety, I couldn’t grasp the idea that something else was in control of my life. I really thought that I was in control. Just askContinue reading “The Care Of God – Grapevine Article December 1999 By Liz B.”
I Care – Grapevine Article April 1966 By Anonymous
TODAY at noon I walked the two blocks from my office to the park. I walked with a definite feeling of well-being and peace of mind–then I got to the park and sought a comfortable place to sit for awhile, before going back for the afternoon’s work. It was then I saw him. He wasContinue reading “I Care – Grapevine Article April 1966 By Anonymous”
Think, Think, Think! Grapevine Article August 2023 By Jim C.
The sign was upside-down—but so was his thinking! I was 21 when I went to my first AA meeting. I enjoyed it. I felt I was home and with my people and for once in the right place. At that first meeting I met a friend and former drinking buddy named “Big Dan.” He cameContinue reading “Think, Think, Think! Grapevine Article August 2023 By Jim C.”