Tradition Five: What A Group Ought To Be Grapevine Article May 2006 by Anonymous

An AA says we can’t transmit what we don’t have The first thing Tradition Five tells us is what a group is, or at least “ought to be.” We are not a sociological entity, although sociologists find us fascinating. We are not a therapy group, although remarkable healing takes place among us. And we areContinue reading “Tradition Five: What A Group Ought To Be Grapevine Article May 2006 by Anonymous”

A Stronger Group – Grapevine Article May 2022 by Bob P.

Substantial unanimity helps the majority slow down and hear the voice of the minority opinion. Sometimes the voice of a loving God is trying to speak through others. A judge may require people with an alcohol-related court conviction to attend AA meetings. These people come with court papers for us at AA to sign. TheContinue reading “A Stronger Group – Grapevine Article May 2022 by Bob P.”

How 14 groups grew to 22 – Grapevine Article January 1945 by Frank S.

This article was reprinted in the the November 2018 Grapevine that focused on AA History. In 1944, AA’s cofounder, Bill W., swings through California to lend a helping hand to the new groups Just over one year ago, Bill made a two-month visit to the West Coast, one month of which was spent in LosContinue reading “How 14 groups grew to 22 – Grapevine Article January 1945 by Frank S.”

The Key to Belonging – Grapevine Article September 2000 by Karen S.

Growing up, I was an angry, lonely, frightened kid. I didn’t know how to make friends, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to. Recess was the most painful part of my day–I’d sit on the outskirts of the playground, sensing that I wasn’t welcome to play tag or kickball. I watched the other children, takingContinue reading “The Key to Belonging – Grapevine Article September 2000 by Karen S.”

A Spoke In The Wheel – Grapevine Article March 1989 by G.H.

One Tuesday night a lonely confused woman named “Sara” walks through the doors of Alcoholics Anonymous. Sara feels alienated and depressed, feelings she has had most of her life. She is completely demoralized and knows she will never be accepted or feel loved by anyone again. But through all this despair she doesn’t want toContinue reading “A Spoke In The Wheel – Grapevine Article March 1989 by G.H.”

It Might Have Been the Time – Grapevine Article February 1950 by Lois (Bill W.‘s Wife and Al-Anon Founder )

I too needed spiritual development IT is hard to say just when Alcoholics Anonymous began. It may have been at the time a friend came to see my husband, Bill. Or it may have been at the moment of Bill’s spiritual experience. Most AAs feel it is the time six months later when he metContinue reading “It Might Have Been the Time – Grapevine Article February 1950 by Lois (Bill W.‘s Wife and Al-Anon Founder )”

Big Book Is Born – Grapevine Article May 2019; 80 Years After It’s Original Publication

TIMELINE WRITTEN BY BILL S. | FAIRFIELD, CONN. Middle of Oct., 1937Our cofounder Bill W. travels to Akron where the group meets and approves raising funds for paid missionaries, a chain of national hospitals and the writing of a book. The Ohio members do not, however, intend to contribute any money themselves, and they sendContinue reading “Big Book Is Born – Grapevine Article May 2019; 80 Years After It’s Original Publication”

AFTER – Grapevine Article April 1989 by Anonymous

It’s a well-know AA fact that the Big Book underwent intense scrutiny and exhaustive discussion before reaching print in its final form. In fact, Bill W. often referred to himself as the referee of these “discussions” rather then the Big Book’s author. Below, excerpted from chapter five, are some examples of the changes that cameContinue reading “AFTER – Grapevine Article April 1989 by Anonymous”

The Whisper of Humility – Grapevine Article March 1955 by E.M., MD.

ONE PART of our great program–the Twelve Traditions–has come to mean life itself to me. The Traditions, as written by our co-founder Bill, define for me clearly and precisely how to get well and stay well. They tell me who God is, what He does, and where He functions. They show me what spirituality isContinue reading “The Whisper of Humility – Grapevine Article March 1955 by E.M., MD.”

You Mean There’s Already A Solution – Grapevine Article March 1988 by Boyce B.

As the AA Steps contain the message of recovery, so the AA Traditions contain that of unity. I knew this fact in spirit sometime before my head caught on to it. While still very much a newcomer to the Fellowship, I first became aware of the Traditions while observing the running of meetings. Despite myContinue reading “You Mean There’s Already A Solution – Grapevine Article March 1988 by Boyce B.”