Category Archives: Middle Way

Dependence – Unhealthy Or Healthy – As Bill Sees It #72

Dependence—Unhealthy or Healthy Nothing can be more demoralizing than a clinging and abject dependence upon another human being. This often amounts to the demand for a degree of protection and love that no one could possibly satisfy. So our hoped-for protectors finally flee, and once more we are left alone—either to grow up or toContinue reading “Dependence – Unhealthy Or Healthy – As Bill Sees It #72”

Unpacking The 4th Step Example P.65 In The Big Book – Practice These Principles By Ray A.

Making  a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves in Step 4 is fundamentally a spiritual enterprise. Yet it is at the same time intensely practical and uncompromisingly moral. Indeed, as we have seen, in AA the spiritual is understood to encompass the practical and the moral. The interaction of these three, the spiritual, theContinue reading “Unpacking The 4th Step Example P.65 In The Big Book – Practice These Principles By Ray A.”

A New Way Of Looking At Life – Grapevine Article April 1981 By D.J.

ONE AFTERNOON a few months ago, I found myself reviewing the story of AA co-founder Bill W.’s encounter with cosmic consciousness in Towns Hospital. I had come across a well-detailed account of the incident and had not proceeded far into it before I began to experience feelings of envy. After all, I reasoned, why shouldn’tContinue reading “A New Way Of Looking At Life – Grapevine Article April 1981 By D.J.”

Growth – Grapevine Article June 1976 By Tricia J.

A NEW THOUGHT has been forming in my mind (now that the AA program has put it in working order). I believe that an element most important in building our sober lives is what is left out. Several months ago, my husband and I enrolled in a beginners’ art course. We didn’t become great painters,Continue reading “Growth – Grapevine Article June 1976 By Tricia J.”

Rules Without Reason – Grapevine Article February 1987 By E.E.

It was hard to hear the voice on the telephone over the rain pelting outside my window. “Is that you, Joan? You don’t sound like yourself. Is something wrong?” It was “Joan,” six weeks sober, checking in with her sponsor on the coldest, wettest night of the year, in a voice I hardly recognized. “IContinue reading “Rules Without Reason – Grapevine Article February 1987 By E.E.”

Tolerance Is Important – Grapevine Article May 1950 By Russ

THE practice of tolerance, and the understanding of others is of utmost importance in the recovery of the confused alcoholic. The use of tolerance is particularly difficult to some convalescent alcoholics in their relations with others who are having difficulty in adjusting themselves to the AA Program of rehabilitation. We have admitted that only aContinue reading “Tolerance Is Important – Grapevine Article May 1950 By Russ”

How Much Anonymity – As Bill Sees It #43

As a rule, the average newcomer wanted his family to know immediately what he was trying to do. He also wanted to tell others who had tried to help him—his doctor, his minister, and close friends. As he gained confidence, he felt it right to explain his new way of life to his employer andContinue reading “How Much Anonymity – As Bill Sees It #43”

What And Who We Really Are – Grapevine Article October 1991 By John W.

I have now experienced nearly eight good years of continuously sober and active membership in the Fellowship of AA. Never during this time have I hesitated to express my heartfelt gratitude for the program and the many positive (and necessary) changes it has helped make possible in my life–a life including many years of active,Continue reading “What And Who We Really Are – Grapevine Article October 1991 By John W.”

Life’s Purpose – Touchstone December 17th

The purpose of man’s life is not happiness but worthiness. –Felix Adler When we pursue happiness as a goal for its own sake, we usually reach the opposite point of emptiness. Feeling happy is a by-product of other life experiences. Happiness comes and goes. We welcome it but cannot capture and hold it, nor canContinue reading “Life’s Purpose – Touchstone December 17th”

Positively Negative – Grapevine Article April 1973 by Dick H.

On the last page of the Big Book text, we are given the reminder that one of our objectives in this ongoing day a time twelve step process is to remain teachable with what one might describe as a beginner’s mind with this quote ‘ we realize we know only a little’ (Big Book p.164).Continue reading “Positively Negative – Grapevine Article April 1973 by Dick H.”