A look at the positive side of a familiar AA warning MANY BEGINNERS in my area are fond of saying, “I go to lots of meetings and I stay away from people, places, and things.” I’ve often felt like correcting the speaker by saying, “Surely, you don’t mean all people, places, and things.” I hold my tongueContinue reading “People, Places, And Things – Grapevine Article June 1984 By S.C.”
Category Archives: Purpose
Applying The St Francis Prayer To Our Inside Job Of Reconciliation & Healing By Allen Berger
As many of you know, Allen Berger is a leader in Emotional Sobriety. His book 12 Essential Insights For Emotional Sobriety is featured prominently in the Emotional Sobriety section of the gugogs.org website. He is a Gestalt therapist with over 50 years of sobriety. Very recently Dr. Berger gave a very powerful talk about how to apply the St.Continue reading “Applying The St Francis Prayer To Our Inside Job Of Reconciliation & Healing By Allen Berger”
Friendship In Recovery- Each Day A New Beginning February 14th
Friendship of a kind that cannot easily be reversed tomorrow must have its roots in common interests and shared beliefs.–Barbara W. Tuchman The gift of friendship has been extended to each of us sharing this program. Our interest is common: we want to stay abstinent. And we share the belief that a power greater thanContinue reading “Friendship In Recovery- Each Day A New Beginning February 14th”
AA & The Wounded Healer Anthology December 2020 By Steve K.
Step 12 of the program of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) suggests that “Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and to practice these principles in all our affairs.” A vital aspect of our own recovery from addiction is the inspiration to help others suffering fromContinue reading “AA & The Wounded Healer Anthology December 2020 By Steve K.”
Circle & Triangle – As Bill Sees It #307
Above us, at the International Convention at St. Louis in 1955, floated a banner on which was inscribed the then new symbol for A.A., a circle enclosing a triangle. The circle stands for the whole world of A.A., and the triangle stands for A.A.’s Three Legacies: Recovery, Unity, and Service. It is perhaps no accidentContinue reading “Circle & Triangle – As Bill Sees It #307”
Some Longtime Views – Grapevine Article March 1984 By P.O.
MAY A SPECIAL shaft of serenity shine upon some alcoholic who thought up and shared that pleasant word “long-timer” instead of “old-timer.” I must reciprocate with some long-time views! One month ago, I shared my thirty-fifth AA birthday on a Sunday night at a meeting in Rondebosch. There was no banquet, no bells, not evenContinue reading “Some Longtime Views – Grapevine Article March 1984 By P.O.”
Let There Be Light – Grapevine Article November 2025 By Elsie T.
An Ohio member expresses her love of our braille literature in a May 1957 Grapevine article This morning it arrived just like that—I mean the Big Book in braille! The postman placed in my arms four of those six precious volumes, cautioning me to not drop them. Drop them—how could I? This for which IContinue reading “Let There Be Light – Grapevine Article November 2025 By Elsie T.”
Keeping The Gift – Just For Today September 22nd
“Life takes on a new meaning when we open ourselves to this gift.” Basic Text, p. 107 ❖ Neglecting our recovery is like neglecting any other gift we’ve been given. Suppose someone gave you a new car. Would you let it sit in the driveway until the tires rotted? Would you just drive it, ignoringContinue reading “Keeping The Gift – Just For Today September 22nd”
I Stand At The Door – Recovery Poem By Sam Shoemaker (Who Bill W Describes As A Co-Founder of AA)
In our monthly speaker meeting, Rachel M. read this powerful poem written by Sam Shoemaker who Bill W describes as an AA co-founder. You may also find Sam’s Grapevine article entitled ‘“The Spiritual Angle of AA” worthwhile. Sam Shoemaker(1893-1963) was an Episcopal priest who was instrumental in the Oxford Group and founding principles of AlcoholicsContinue reading “I Stand At The Door – Recovery Poem By Sam Shoemaker (Who Bill W Describes As A Co-Founder of AA)”
Forgiveness & Resenting The Painful Side Of Life – Forgive For Good Recovery Workbook By Fred Luskin
I believe the movement from being a pain killer to becoming a pain healer is at the heart of recovery. This article helps us understand the crucial role forgiveness can play in this healing movement. It’s extracted from a recently published workbook specifically designed for integrating forgiveness with the Twelve Steps. The author, Dr. FredContinue reading “Forgiveness & Resenting The Painful Side Of Life – Forgive For Good Recovery Workbook By Fred Luskin”