At 59, she left her old life behind. Thank goodness she kept coming back I went to my first AA meeting in 1975 at the age of 29. I went because my boyfriend thought I needed to go. I had had an episode of what I later came to know was the DTs. I was screamingContinue reading “Pride & Possessions – Grapevine Article September 2014 By Anonymous”
Category Archives: Pride
Constructive Workouts – As Bill Sees It #215
There are those in A.A. whom we call “destructive” critics. They power-drive, they are “politickers,” they make accusations to gain their ends—all for the good of A.A., of course! But we have learned that these folks need not be really destructive. We ought to listen carefully to what they say. Sometimes they are telling theContinue reading “Constructive Workouts – As Bill Sees It #215”
A Matter Of Character – Grapevine Article February 2009 By Hal W.
Assigning labels to his behaviors helps an AA to change I took a Fourth and Fifth Step several times. Everytime, I rationalized my behavior, saying to myself: Yes, I did some bad things–but I am basically a really nice guy, so no further action is necessary. In 2001, I was doing the Steps again withContinue reading “A Matter Of Character – Grapevine Article February 2009 By Hal W.”
Origins of ‘Progress Not Perfection’ & The Dangers of Absolutes & Perfectionism – Not God: A History of AA By Ernest Kurtz
In his outstanding book chronicling the history of AA entitled ‘Not God’, the author Ernst Kurtz emphasizes key differences between the philosophy of the Oxford Group and the reality of what has taken place in AA. The Oxford Group promoted the Four Absolutes – Honesty, Purity, Unselfishness, and Love. Our co-founder Bill W. was veryContinue reading “Origins of ‘Progress Not Perfection’ & The Dangers of Absolutes & Perfectionism – Not God: A History of AA By Ernest Kurtz”
The Masks Have To Go – Just For Today July 24th
“…we covered low self-esteem by hiding behind phony images that we hoped would fool people. The masks have to go.” Basic Text, p. 33 ❖ Over-sensitivity, insecurity, and lack of identity are often associated with active addiction. Many of us carry these with us into recovery; our fears of inadequacy, rejection, and lack of directionContinue reading “The Masks Have To Go – Just For Today July 24th”
It’s Worth The Work – Grapevine Article August 2024 By Doug M.
Through years of sober experience, good and bad, he learned about love, faith and sharing the fun Relationships are hard. I’m not sure if they are harder for alcoholics, but they certainly aren’t easier. My first day of sobriety was the day after a very messy Valentine’s night [see Doug’s February 2014 story, “My MessyContinue reading “It’s Worth The Work – Grapevine Article August 2024 By Doug M.”
Step 1 Understanding What Is Unmanageable – Recovery The Sacred Art By Rami Shapiro
If I’m in control, I’m not powerless. If I’m not powerless, my life is not unmanageable; I am only refusing to manage it. The error here is to assume that life’s unmanageability stems from our powerlessness. On the contrary, the unmanageability of our lives is not caused by powerlessness; powerlessness is a symptom of life’sContinue reading “Step 1 Understanding What Is Unmanageable – Recovery The Sacred Art By Rami Shapiro”
Boomerang – As Bill Sees It #185
When I was ten, I was tall and gawky, and smaller kids could push me around in quarrels. I remember being very depressed for a year or more, and then I began to develop a fierce resolve to win. One day, my grandfather came along with a book about Australia and told me, “This bookContinue reading “Boomerang – As Bill Sees It #185”
Our Secrets Keep Us Stuck – Each Day A New Beginning June 30th
. . . in silence might be the privilege of the strong, but it was certainly a danger to the weak. For the things I was prompted to keep silent about were nearly always the things I was ashamed of, which would have been far better aired . . . –Joanna Field It has beenContinue reading “Our Secrets Keep Us Stuck – Each Day A New Beginning June 30th”
Own Your Reality – Off Balance On Purpose By Dan Thurman
Dan Thurman has written an excellent book entitled ‘Off Balance On Purpose’. I believe his chapter on ‘Own Your Reality’ has some very useful complements and pragmatic wisdom to help us to a more accurate and meaningful self examination that has no ceiling and the reality that more can always be revealed. I see muchContinue reading “Own Your Reality – Off Balance On Purpose By Dan Thurman”