Category Archives: Guidance

Starting My Day – Grapevine Article March 2023 by Paul M

A past delegate recalls how 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, whenContinue reading “Starting My Day – Grapevine Article March 2023 by Paul M”

The Birth of Spiritual Confidence – Grapevine Article June 2005 by Dave C.

Steps to remove the desire to drink I arrived at the doors of AA in 1983 with a problem; I just wasn’t sure what the problem was. I thought I had a drinking problem. Then someone suggested that maybe my drinking problem really reflected a thinking problem. I was sure he was wrong; I justContinue reading “The Birth of Spiritual Confidence – Grapevine Article June 2005 by Dave C.”

Privileged To Communicate – As Bill Sees It #231

Everyone must agree that we A.A.’s 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 theirContinue reading “Privileged To Communicate – As Bill Sees It #231”

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”

No Struggle Is Really New – Each Day A New Beginning – December 14th

A theme may seem to have been put aside, but it keeps returning–the same thing modulated, somewhat changed in form.-Muriel Rukeyser No struggle we have is really new. It’s another shade of the struggle that plagued us last week or perhaps last year. And we’ll stumble again and again until we learn to quit struggling.Continue reading “No Struggle Is Really New – Each Day A New Beginning – December 14th”

Make Your Immaturity Pay – Grapevine Article March 1965 by Anonymous

Those defects can keep us alive to the need to change TWENTY years ago emotional immaturity was mentioned and discussed in our Fellowship frequently and in depth. We had a monopoly on it in those days. All of us were impressed. The fact that we all had it in varying degrees was universally accepted. ItContinue reading “Make Your Immaturity Pay – Grapevine Article March 1965 by Anonymous”

Using the 11th Step / St. Francis Prayer

The Saint Francis Assisi Prayer, often used as an 11th Step Prayer in Alcoholics Anonymous, is an immensely popular and empowering prayer used in recovery. Anyone moving through recovery will eventually encounter the prayer and will get to work through its significance and impact on their spirituality, life, and outlook. If you’re just starting your recoveryContinue reading “Using the 11th Step / St. Francis Prayer”

In The Eyes Of The Beholder – Grapevine Article August 2006 by Dennis W.

Learning how to see straight, one day at a time When I first came to Alcoholics Anonymous, I had opinions on everything and knew for certain which was the right or wrong side of an issue. The longer I am in Alcoholics Anonymous, the more I am like our Tenth Tradition, without an opinion onContinue reading “In The Eyes Of The Beholder – Grapevine Article August 2006 by Dennis W.”

Turn It All Over – Grapevine Article January 1984 by J.W.

Step Three I WAS WHAT is called a high-bottom drunk. When I got to the AA program, I had not been beaten down enough to have anything even remotely approaching real humility. I was smug, arrogant, self-satisfied, and certain that every area of my life except my alcoholism was firmly and securely under my control.Continue reading “Turn It All Over – Grapevine Article January 1984 by J.W.”

AA Traditions Are Not Traditional! – Grapevine Article Extract Jan 1955 by Bill W

In our Twelve Traditions we have set our faces against nearly every trend in the outside world. “We have denied ourselves personal government, professionalism and the right to say who our members shall be. We have abandoned do-goodism, reform and paternalism. We refuse charitable money and prefer to pay our own way. We will cooperateContinue reading “AA Traditions Are Not Traditional! – Grapevine Article Extract Jan 1955 by Bill W”