Continuing work on the Steps will keep us connected with I HAD COME to the AA program and had found a new way to live. Life was good. I experienced a level of freedom and happiness I had never before known. Then, after almost five years of peaceful, contented sobriety, the honeymoon was over. InContinue reading “The Power of the Program – Grapevine Article July 1978 by C.S.”
Category Archives: Immaturity
Surveying The Past – As Bill Sees It #111
We should make an accurate and really exhaustive survey of our past life as it has affected other people. In many instances we shall find that, though the harm done to others has not been great, we have nevertheless done ourselves considerable injury. Then, too, damaging emotional conflicts persist below the level of consciousness, veryContinue reading “Surveying The Past – As Bill Sees It #111”
Insanity B – Grapevine Article February 2005 by Don H.
We know what works. Why don’t we always do it? A lot of people have trouble with the sanity clause in the Second Step. “How can a higher power restore me to sanity when I was never insane?” they protest. Not me. As I often tell my home group: When the attendants let me outContinue reading “Insanity B – Grapevine Article February 2005 by Don H.”
Dr. Bob: A Tribute – Grapevine Article January 1951 by Bill W
Note – The section of this article in bold below may be a useful way of supplement to the section of the AA Big Book Chapter ’A Vision For You’ which recounts the humbling origins of A.A. and the essential beginning of one alcoholic helping another that is still its foundation. You can see thisContinue reading “Dr. Bob: A Tribute – Grapevine Article January 1951 by Bill W”
Neither Dependence Nor Self Sufficiency – As Bill Sees It #265
When we insisted, like infants, that people protect and take care of us or that the world owed us a living, then the result was unfortunate. The people we most loved often pushed us aside or perhaps deserted us entirely. Our disillusionment was hard to bear. We failed to see that, though adult in years,Continue reading “Neither Dependence Nor Self Sufficiency – As Bill Sees It #265”
Self-Pity Can Kill – Grapevine Article February 1973 by J.W.
We can weep, whine, or get drunk–or we can learn to accept OVER AND OVER, through the gaiety of the preholiday season in December 1965, I chanted this litany of despair: “I gave all I had to give, and it wasn’t enough.” And on Christmas night, I made a drunken and almost successful suicide attempt.Continue reading “Self-Pity Can Kill – Grapevine Article February 1973 by J.W.”
It Takes Practice to Be Human – Grapevine Article December 1977 by M.B.
Constant work with the Tenth Step shows us what we are and what we can become DURING MY drinking days, it seemed that I was either a god or a devil–but never human. I was either so grandly above everyone else that they were unworthy of my love or so desperately below the level ofContinue reading “It Takes Practice to Be Human – Grapevine Article December 1977 by M.B.”
Thank God for Despair – Grapevine Article June 1965 by E.M.
. . . the unease that makes us want to do a better job of living – From the June 1965 Grapevine IT IS AMAZING and a little depressing to see so many of our members drive themselves like madmen for perfect peace of mind and absolute serenity. Bags under their eyes, frowns on theirContinue reading “Thank God for Despair – Grapevine Article June 1965 by E.M.”
Manufacturing Misery – Grapevine Article April 1993 by Bill A.
I must admit that there are parts of the Big Book I’ve never read. For instance, as a singularly single, bachelor alcoholic, now past 40, I have never felt it necessary to peruse chapter nine–The Family Afterward. But, as in so many other cases when I’ve cunningly cut corners, I also shortchanged myself. My sponsorContinue reading “Manufacturing Misery – Grapevine Article April 1993 by Bill A.”
The Right To Be Wrong – Grapevine Article April 1995 by Jim N.
After moving out West, I attended a beginners meeting one afternoon. A man stood at the door greeting people this way: “Are you new? Do you have a desire to stop drinking?” If the individual didn’t admit to having such a desire, he or she was invited to leave and go to another meeting. IContinue reading “The Right To Be Wrong – Grapevine Article April 1995 by Jim N.”