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.”
Category Archives: Open Mindedness
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.”
Nothing Changes If Nothing Changes – Grapevine Article by Jeff H.
Hitting bottom even in sobriety, he discovered that hard-won change can be a life saver Like most slogans or other phrases people repeated so terribly often when I first arrived into the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous, I thought this one was meaningless. Nothing changes if nothing changes? What could be more obvious? It turned outContinue reading “Nothing Changes If Nothing Changes – Grapevine Article by Jeff H.”
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.”
How GUGOGS Meditation Works
Assembled and edited by Wayne S. As you ready yourself for your meditation practice, please be fully present during the meditation and avoid distractions. Be in a place where you can devote your full attention to the practice. As you read this, please consider that your meditation practice has already begun . . . TheContinue reading “How GUGOGS Meditation Works”
An Atheist Speaks Out – Grapevine Article May 1962 by E.L.
I AM an alcoholic and an atheist. I am addressing this to those alcoholics who have had trouble with the religious overtones in the AA program. But let me state first that it depresses me to think of what life would be like without AA. It has been long on my mind to write thisContinue reading “An Atheist Speaks Out – Grapevine Article May 1962 by E.L.”
Boredom Ambushes the Unwary – Grapevine Article April 1950 by J.F.
PAGING Solomon with all his wisdom! What makes some of us take that first drink? We can get as many answers to that perennial question as there are unfortunate slipees. It has been my experience that boredom sets an emotional trap for all of us. The eager beaver in AA, full of inspirational fire and fervor, veryContinue reading “Boredom Ambushes the Unwary – Grapevine Article April 1950 by J.F.”
A Better Fit – Grapevine Article March 2020 by Don S.
How 10 aching toes became a powerful lesson about the dangers of being right My first interaction with a Higher Power was terse. I had reached the end of my rope, having attempted sobriety for a period of about 19 months. I had relapsed and suffered through 10 months of incomprehensible demoralization. I was genuinelyContinue reading “A Better Fit – Grapevine Article March 2020 by Don S.”
March 7th Reflection – Each Day A New Beginning
Sunday, March 7 Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person’s character lies in their own hands. —Anne Frank We must take responsibility for ourselves, for who we become, for how we live each day. The temptation to blame others may be everContinue reading “March 7th Reflection – Each Day A New Beginning”