There is a chapter in the Big Book titled “A Vision for You.” A paragraph in that chapter talks about the jumping-off place. I reached that place one night in a bar after hours. I was twenty years old, and I had three children, a recent hysterectomy, and was on my third failing relationship. IContinue reading “The Jumping Off Place – Grapevine Article June 2002 by Anonymous”
Category Archives: Open Mindedness
Simple But Not Easy – Grapevine Article November 2008 by Scott N.
What does making coffee have to do with sobriety? Even very early in my sobriety, I had a begrudging recognition that there was wisdom in the simple phrases I saw posted on the walls of meetings. I had some contempt for these cutesy expressions and the people who said them. I also had serious doubtsContinue reading “Simple But Not Easy – Grapevine Article November 2008 by Scott N.”
What Lesson Is Hidden In What Disturbs Me? Mashup of Oct 7th Daily Reflection , GUGOGS 10th Step Resources, and Excerpts From Step 10 Twelve & Twelve
Daily Reflections – October 7 DAILY MONITORING Continued to take personal inventory. . . . . TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 88 The spiritual axiom referred to in the Tenth Step– “every time we are disturbed, no matter what the cause, there is something wrong with us”–also tells me that there are no exceptionsContinue reading “What Lesson Is Hidden In What Disturbs Me? Mashup of Oct 7th Daily Reflection , GUGOGS 10th Step Resources, and Excerpts From Step 10 Twelve & Twelve”
Spiritually Fit – As Bill Sees It # 280
Assuming we are spiritually fit, we can do all sorts of things alcoholics are not supposed to do. People have said we must not go where liquor is served; we must not have it in our homes; we must shun friends who drink; we must avoid moving pictures which show drinking scenes; we must notContinue reading “Spiritually Fit – As Bill Sees It # 280”
GUGOGS 10th Step Resources and Ideas
At the heart of the 10th step is self examination. Many of us bring a strong sense that our real problems are external and are a function of people, places, and things that are not as they ought to be. We may feel victimized by these circumstances which seem to unceasingly make us ’restless, irritable,Continue reading “GUGOGS 10th Step Resources and Ideas”
Sounds of Silence – Grapevine Article April 2004 by Jean C.
They can be heard anytime the bondage of self drops away My home group usually seizes up if there’s a whole forty-five seconds of silence between shares. Then someone leaps into the breach, saying, “I’ll talk because I just can’t stand the silence.” This might be part of my problem with meditation. As an alcoholic,Continue reading “Sounds of Silence – Grapevine Article April 2004 by Jean C.”
Who I Want To Be – Grapevine Article March 2009 by Dwight E.
Facing eight years in jail , a dad with two fatally ill kids chooses sobriety By the time I was 18, I was a daily drinker. I graduated from a vocational high school and got a job working in a steel mill. I met a girl at church who later became my wife. We boughtContinue reading “Who I Want To Be – Grapevine Article March 2009 by Dwight E.”
A Good Look- Grapevine Article October 2014 by Don B.
A newcomer discovers that it’s never too early to start looking at Step 10 I had been sober for just over two weeks. It was the Thursday Step meeting at my home group, and the topic was Step Ten. Patrice, a woman who had been sober for many years, shared that Step Ten was oneContinue reading “A Good Look- Grapevine Article October 2014 by Don B.”
A Reason for Gratitude – Grapevine Article August 1996 by Carolene B.
It’s 9:30 p.m. I’m walking across the nearly deserted parking lot of the local plant where I work. Every bone, muscle, and nerve in my body is exhausted and aching. I pick one foot up and have to make myself put it down and take another step. My breath is short and I have aContinue reading “A Reason for Gratitude – Grapevine Article August 1996 by Carolene B.”
Survival Comes First – Grapevine Article April 1983 by B.B.
MY FIRST YEAR of sobriety has been long, difficult, and painful. Looking back on it now, I don’t at all understand why I had such a hard time believing my patient and understanding sponsor when he’d keep repeating, “The first year is about survival.” It was definitely about that, even when I couldn’t recognize it.Continue reading “Survival Comes First – Grapevine Article April 1983 by B.B.”