As the book ‘Alcoholics Anonymous’ puts it, ‘Resentment is the Number One offender.’ It is a primary cause of relapses into drinking. How well we of A.A. know that for us ‘To drink is eventually to go mad or die.’ “Much the same penalty overhangs every A.A. group. Given enough anger, both unity and purposeContinue reading “Anger – Personal and Group Enemy – As Bill Sees It #98”
Category Archives: Guidance
Another One Bites the Dust – Grapevine Article April 2022 by Clark W.
Another journey through Step Four helped him let go of old resentments—and the first one began with Mom Resentment is a bitch. But it can also turn out to be a gift in disguise. That’s what has happened to me a couple of times, in powerful ways, and I’m just now beginning to understand andContinue reading “Another One Bites the Dust – Grapevine Article April 2022 by Clark W.”
11 Men & A Prayer – Grapevine Article November 2017 by Ed L.
With a few canoes and horseshoes, and a little help from upstairs, a mountain fellowship begins It was in Quartz Hill, just west of Lancaster, California, where I first heard the expression, “Why pray when you can worry?” Why, indeed? Three years ago, a handful of us stood around after the Wednesday night men’s stag meetingContinue reading “11 Men & A Prayer – Grapevine Article November 2017 by Ed L.”
How It Works At Work – Big Book Page 63
We had a new Employer. Being all powerful, He provided what we needed, if we kept close to Him and performed His work well. Established on such a footing we became less and less interested in ourselves, our little plans and designs. More and more we became interested in seeing what we could contribute toContinue reading “How It Works At Work – Big Book Page 63”
‘How It Works’ Works For Me – Grapevine Article October 2003 by Diane S.
As a newcomer, I first heard “How It Works” before I ever picked up a Big Book. It conveyed the essence of the program in a couple of minutes. Its repetition over the years has served as a general reminder. After all, alcoholics have short memories. Legend has it that Bill W. wrote “How ItContinue reading “‘How It Works’ Works For Me – Grapevine Article October 2003 by Diane S.”
Fear of FAILURE – Grapevine Article February 2009 by Anonymous
In a phone call on New Year’s Day, a college professor told me she’d failed my final paper for her course. I could rewrite the paper, she said, correcting the shortcomings, possibly retaining my overall A for the course. Or I could let it go and accept the B average my failure to follow directionsContinue reading “Fear of FAILURE – Grapevine Article February 2009 by Anonymous”
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.”
Accepting What Is – 12 Essential Insights for Emotional Sobriety
Sentence Completion Exercise Any endeavor to change must include looking at the forces within us that would sabotage our best efforts. We need to become aware of how we interfere with the process of acceptance. The following exercise can help. Take each sentence stem and write it at the top of a piece of paper.Continue reading “Accepting What Is – 12 Essential Insights for Emotional Sobriety”
Again at the Crossroads – Grapevine Article November 1961 by Bill W.
WE AAs are everywhere developing a keener sense of our history and the meaning of its turning points. Moreover, I believe that we are getting a right sense of our history; something of the utmost importance indeed. The world’s past reveals that many societies and nations have fallen victims to fear and pride, or to their aggressiveContinue reading “Again at the Crossroads – Grapevine Article November 1961 by Bill W.”
In the Wake of the Wave – Grapevine Article March 2005 by Chris W.
A report from Phuket, Thailand The moment of silence before we begin meetings here in Phuket has taken on new levels of significance since December’s tsunami. Many of us have shared as to how the principles of AA have guided our actions in attending the wounded, searching for the dead, and helping to rebuild theContinue reading “In the Wake of the Wave – Grapevine Article March 2005 by Chris W.”