Shortly after I came into the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous in November 1984, I remarked to my sponsor that I had no memory of ever before experiencing the feeling that a knife was being slowly twisted in my gut. But I’ve since learned a lot about what causes most of the emotional pain I experience.Continue reading “Emotional Pain – Grapevine Article February 1997 by C.H.”
Category Archives: Pain
Alone No More – As Bill Sees It #252
Alcoholism was a lonely business, even though we were surrounded by people who loved us. But when our self-will had driven everybody away and our isolation became complete, we commenced to play the big shot in cheap barrooms. Failing even in this, we had to fare forth alone on the street to depend upon theContinue reading “Alone No More – As Bill Sees It #252”
Prayer Under Pressure – As Bill Sees It #250
Whenever I find myself under acute tensions, I lengthen my daily walks and slowly repeat our Serenity Prayer in rhythm to my steps and breathing. If I feel that my pain has in part been occasioned by others, I try to repeat, “God grant me the serenity to love their best, and never fear theirContinue reading “Prayer Under Pressure – As Bill Sees It #250”
More Than Comfort – As Bill Sees It #148
When I am feeling depressed, I repeat to myself statements such as these: “Pain is the touchstone of progress.” …“ Fear no evil.” …“ This, too, will pass.” …“ This experience can be turned to benefit.” These fragments of prayer bring far more than mere comfort. They keep me on the track of right acceptance;Continue reading “More Than Comfort – As Bill Sees It #148”
All or Nothing – As Bill Sees It #6
Acceptance and faith are capable of producing 100 per cent sobriety. In fact, they usually do; and they must, else we could have no life at all. But the moment we carry these attitudes into our emotional problems, we find that only relative results are possible. Nobody can, for example, become completely free from fear,Continue reading “All or Nothing – As Bill Sees It #6”
Hope From The Hopeless – Grapevine Article May 1992 by Linda B.
I first came into the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous four years ago. I was suicidal, filled with rage, and completely baffled by this strange disease that had taken control of my life, my soul, my mind, and my spirit. I went into a treatment center, attended meetings there, prayed, read all the AA literature IContinue reading “Hope From The Hopeless – Grapevine Article May 1992 by Linda B.”
This Is Life – Grapevine Article by Shannon C.
Facing life on life’s terms, she asks not what AA can do for her—but what she can do for AA It’d been a couple of weeks since I’d received some overwhelming bad news. Actually, these past couple of years have consisted of one devastating blow after another. Just when I thought I was on theContinue reading “This Is Life – Grapevine Article by Shannon C.”
Sidelined By Remorse – Grapevine Article Sept 2010 by J.M.
After his brother’s suicide, he blames himself and drops out of AA One thing I have learned in AA is that an event that seems insignificant at the time can have monumental effects later. Nothing, it seems, is quite as it seems. Thirty-four years ago I was new in the Fellowship, full of fear, andContinue reading “Sidelined By Remorse – Grapevine Article Sept 2010 by J.M.”
Regrets and Promises – Grapevine Article by Howard M
An AA considers how an alcoholic can come to accept the past for what was At a meeting last week, I heard a man with over 10 years sober speak. He made a comment that he still had a hard time with the concept of not regretting the past. He still felt badly about someContinue reading “Regrets and Promises – Grapevine Article by Howard M”
And You Don’t Drink – Grapevine Article September 1981 by P.Y.
THE PAIN is worse than you can ever remember. You look up and say the Serenity Prayer, and nothing happens. You pace the floor and then sit down and light a cigarette and then get up and fix another cup of coffee and then take a deep breath and wait. “This, too, will pass” isContinue reading “And You Don’t Drink – Grapevine Article September 1981 by P.Y.”