My alcoholism and its personal and collateral damage evoke a lot of emotions. And yet, as I work the program and move from the bedevilments of my addiction(s) (BB p.52) to the ‘new freedom’ (BBp.84) of recovery, I have an experience of acceptance as well as conscious contact and spiritual fitness from a God ofContinue reading “Accepting Life As It Is – Interview With Pema Chödrön By Ezra Klein”
Category Archives: Gratitude
Holding Hope Close – Recovery Poem By Adam M.
My friend Big Adam shared this poem with me. His poem reminds me of this article from Henri Nouven about how hope so fundamentally differs from optimism. Nouven says “the person of hope lives in the moment with the knowledge and trust that all of life is in good hands” and “hope is the trustContinue reading “Holding Hope Close – Recovery Poem By Adam M.”
From My Head to My Heart – Grapevine Article May 2026 By Terri R.
After years of being dry, a woman in Texas discovers a new hope and freedom by diving back into the Steps This past December I decided to visit one of my favorite recovery clubhouses to commemorate 28 years of sobriety. It had been a long time since I was in an AA meeting and evenContinue reading “From My Head to My Heart – Grapevine Article May 2026 By Terri R.”
God Will Not Desert Us – As Bill Sees It #221
Word comes to me that you are making a magnificent stand in adversity—this adversity being the state of your health. It gives me a chance to express my gratitude for your recovery in A.A. and especially for the demonstration of its principles you are now so inspiringly giving to us all. You will be gladContinue reading “God Will Not Desert Us – As Bill Sees It #221”
Self-Pity: A Barrier to Lasting Sobriety – A.A. District 2 Alabama June 2024 By Anonymous
Self-pity is one of the most insidious obstacles to lasting sobriety. Both Dr. Bob Smith and Bill Wilson, the co-founders of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), frequently discussed the detrimental effects of self-pity on alcoholics. In the pages of the Big Book, “Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers,” and various articles in the Grapevine, they highlighted howContinue reading “Self-Pity: A Barrier to Lasting Sobriety – A.A. District 2 Alabama June 2024 By Anonymous”
Listening In Recovery – 12 Step Philosophy By Galen T.
Many of us are familiar with the events that brought AA’s two founders together for the first time. On May 11th of 1935 Bill found himself pacing back and forth in the lobby of the Mayflower Hotel in Akron, OH. At one end of the lobby was a bar and at the other a public phone.Continue reading “Listening In Recovery – 12 Step Philosophy By Galen T.”
Those Old Time Feelings – Language Of Letting Go April 7th Reflection By Melody Beattie
I still have bad days. But that’s okay. I used to have bad years.–Anonymous Sometimes, the old feelings creep back in. We may feel fearful, ashamed, and hopeless. We may feel not good enough, unlovable, victimized, helpless, and resentful about it all. This is a condition some describe as soul sickness. Many of us feltContinue reading “Those Old Time Feelings – Language Of Letting Go April 7th Reflection By Melody Beattie”
Nine Attitudes Of Mindfulness By Jon Kabat-Zinn
In the article ‘How GUGOGS Meditation Works’, our friend Wayne S describes mindfulness as a “wise companion” that we can take with us into the realities of our everyday life. Wayne suggests our “goal is not to become a great meditator” but rather “for there to be no difference between the clarity and freedom youContinue reading “Nine Attitudes Of Mindfulness By Jon Kabat-Zinn”
Living In The Now – Each Day A New Beginning April 5th
I came to the conclusion then that “continual mindfulness” …must mean, not a sergeant-major-like drilling of thoughts, but a continual readiness to look and readiness to accept whatever came. —Joanna Field Resistance to the events, the situations, the many people who come into our lives, blocks the growth we are offered every day. Every momentContinue reading “Living In The Now – Each Day A New Beginning April 5th”
The Peace Of Wild Things – Recovery Poem By Wendell Berry
I love this poem. It’s simplicity, honesty and hope. It’s about finding solace in nature to combat despair, anxiety, and fear for the future. It highlights the contrast between human overthinking and the instinctive, present-focused existence of wild creatures, encouraging a return to the natural world to find rest, grace, and freedom. It’s now included inContinue reading “The Peace Of Wild Things – Recovery Poem By Wendell Berry”