Let There Be Light – Grapevine Article November 2025 By Elsie T.

An Ohio member expresses her love of our braille literature in a May 1957 Grapevine article This morning it arrived just like that—I mean the Big Book in braille! The postman placed in my arms four of those six precious volumes, cautioning me to not drop them. Drop them—how could I? This for which IContinue reading “Let There Be Light – Grapevine Article November 2025 By Elsie T.”

Victory In Defeat – As Bill Sees It #135

Convinced I never could belong, and vowing I’d never settle for any second-rate status, I felt I simply had to dominate in everything I chose to do: work or play. As this attractive formula for the good life began to succeed, according to my then specifications of success, I became deliriously happy. But when anContinue reading “Victory In Defeat – As Bill Sees It #135”

Telling The Worst – As Bill Sees It #311

Though the variations were many, my main theme was always “How godawful I am!” Just as I often exaggerated my modest attainments by pride, so I exaggerated my defects through guilt. I would race about, confessing all (and a great deal more) to whoever would listen. Believe it or not, I took this widespread exposureContinue reading “Telling The Worst – As Bill Sees It #311”

Free Of Dependence – As Bill Sees It #63

I asked myself, “Why can’t the Twelve Steps work to release me from this unbearable depression?” By the hour, I stared at the St. Francis Prayer: “It is better to comfort than to be comforted.” Suddenly I realized what the answer might be. My basic flaw had always been dependence on people or circumstances toContinue reading “Free Of Dependence – As Bill Sees It #63”

Expectations – Just For Today Reflection July 29th

“As we realize our need to be forgiven, we tend to be more forgiving.”  Basic Text, p. 39 ❖ Our behavior toward other people in our life is a mirror of our behavior toward ourselves. When we demand perfection of ourselves, we come to demand it from others around us, too. As we strive toContinue reading “Expectations – Just For Today Reflection July 29th”

The Spiritual Alibi – As Bill Sees It #193

Our first attempts at inventories are apt to prove very unrealistic. I used to be a champ at unrealistic self-appraisal. On certain occasions, I wanted to look only at the part of my life which seemed good. Then I would greatly exaggerate whatever virtues I supposed I had attained. Next I would congratulate myself onContinue reading “The Spiritual Alibi – As Bill Sees It #193”

The Essential To Recovery Of Self Acceptance By James Hollis

There is something in us, all of us, that knows what is right for us, which path is ours and not someone else’s, something that pushes us beyond our comfort zone into areas of growth, development, and presence in this world greater than we have lived up to this point. ….While all the twelve-step programsContinue reading “The Essential To Recovery Of Self Acceptance By James Hollis”

Step 10 – Make A U-Turn As We Seek To Understand Our Part(s) In A Disturbance – Altogether You By Jenna Riemersma

This article gives us some new ways of approaching the spiritual axiom described on page 90 of the Twelve & Twelve in the chapter on Step 10: “It is a spiritual axiom that every time we are disturbed, no matter what the cause, there is something wrong with us” Dr. Allen Berger likes to clarifyContinue reading “Step 10 – Make A U-Turn As We Seek To Understand Our Part(s) In A Disturbance – Altogether You By Jenna Riemersma”

The Power Of Pause … Finding An Unsuspected Inner Resource ….Your Second Voice – Mashup Big Book, Twelve & Twelve, Dr. Allen Berger, & IFS

One of the most powerful tools AA suggests for emotional sobriety is the power of pause or restraint when we find ourselves disturbed. This pause or restraint can give us an opportunity to find a conscious contact with a Power greater than ourselves. This article attempts to share some common ways to deepen the freedomContinue reading “The Power Of Pause … Finding An Unsuspected Inner Resource ….Your Second Voice – Mashup Big Book, Twelve & Twelve, Dr. Allen Berger, & IFS”

What Is Happiness – Grapevine Article January 2017 By Edwin B.

A son’s question on an autumn day reminds a sober dad just how far he’s come This fall, I was raking the lawn and my 22-year-old son, Nico, was bagging leaves for me. At one point, he asked me, “Does raking make you happy?” My initial thought was, Just stuff the leaves in the freakingContinue reading “What Is Happiness – Grapevine Article January 2017 By Edwin B.”