The Wily Ego – Grapevine Article December 1962 By Harry M. Tiebout,M.D.

The capacity of the Ego to bypass experience is astounding and would be humorous were it not so tragic in its consequences. Cutting the individual down to size and making the results last is a task never completely accomplished. The possibility of a return of his infantile Ego must be faced by every alcoholic. IfContinue reading “The Wily Ego – Grapevine Article December 1962 By Harry M. Tiebout,M.D.”

Changing The Way We See In Our 4th Step – Practice These Principles Ray A.

“We swing from blaming others and getting angry, to blaming ourselves and getting depressed. In either case, we weren’t seeing straight” For us alcoholics, changing the way we see is changing the way we are in every significant aspect of our being: morally, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually. Our goal is to be better, not justContinue reading “Changing The Way We See In Our 4th Step – Practice These Principles Ray A.”

Letting Go – Grapevine Article June 2017 By Lynne D.

When a defect arises, she tries to release it like a balloon and let it float up to the sky. It feels so much lighter when it’s gone  For a long time I thought Step Six meant doing nothing, just waiting around and being ready. I wondered why it had to be a separate Step.Continue reading “Letting Go – Grapevine Article June 2017 By Lynne D.”

How Finding FRED And Responding Differently To Him Keeps Us Sober – Grapevine Article March 2022 By Carol K

Bruce M (italics) – This article uses an acronym I had never heard before FRED for fear, resentment, ego, and dishonesty. Like weeds in the garden of my life, I need discernment to see FRED clearly and the courage with God’s help to respond completely differently to my FRED. So much of my life hasContinue reading “How Finding FRED And Responding Differently To Him Keeps Us Sober – Grapevine Article March 2022 By Carol K”

The Ego & The AA – Grapevine Article February 2009 By Greg M.

Self-centeredness can be the most baffling of character defects The pain and misery and horrible loneliness I experienced prior to my first meeting, sixteen years ago, finally convinced me of the need to honestly look at my drinking. But that battle and every one since has been hard-fought. At times it seems to take aContinue reading “The Ego & The AA – Grapevine Article February 2009 By Greg M.”

Sweet Surrender – Grapevine Article March 2024 By Jeff B.

He stopped swimming upstream and dove into Step 3 to find a peace and purpose he never knew The first time I got drunk I remember thinking that I was going to make feeling that way my No. 1 priority until the day I died. For the next 13 years I kept my word, minimallyContinue reading “Sweet Surrender – Grapevine Article March 2024 By Jeff B.”

A Reciprocal Dynamic – Grapevine Article April 1992 By Anonymous

When we practice Tradition Four while remembering Step Three, everybody wins TRADITION FOUR: Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole. What does Tradition Four mean to me? This Tradition reminds me of Tradition One. Tradition One deal’s with the relationship between the value of personal recoveryContinue reading “A Reciprocal Dynamic – Grapevine Article April 1992 By Anonymous”

Black & Blue & Yellow – Grapevine Article April 2024 By Judith M.

Celebrating 50 years of sobriety, she took down her book and marveled at the marks she made that mattered most It was my 50th AA anniversary month and time for a good annual house cleaning. So I got down my original Big Book, a sixth printing of the Second edition, to reminisce. I was struckContinue reading “Black & Blue & Yellow – Grapevine Article April 2024 By Judith M.”

Let Go Absolutely – As Bill Sees It #242

After failure on my part to dry up any drunks, Dr. Silkworth reminded me of Professor William James’s observation that truly transforming spiritual experiences are nearly always founded on calamity and collapse. “Stop preaching at them,” Dr. Silkworth said, “and give them the hard medical facts first. This may soften them up at depth soContinue reading “Let Go Absolutely – As Bill Sees It #242”

Losing Financial Fears – As Bill Sees It #75

When a job still looked like a mere means of getting money rather than an opportunity for service, when the acquisition of money for financial independence looked more important than a right dependence upon God, we were the victims of unreasonable fears. And these were fears which would make a serene and useful existence, atContinue reading “Losing Financial Fears – As Bill Sees It #75”