As we start again our journey through the Big Book, it may be good to be reminded why the decision was made to begin the Big Book with the ’Doctor’s Opinion’. The explanation below relates why Bill came to believe it essential that this ‘new idea’ of alcoholism as an incurable, fatal, progressive disease beContinue reading “What’s Our Problem: Lack Of Power- Practice These Principles – Ray A.”
Category Archives: Surrender
The Voice On The Tape – Grapevine Article January 2004 by Gay B.
After almost two decades, she stumbles upon the woman who saved her life THAT voice, I thought. That’s the woman on the tape! I was sitting in a noon meeting that I had not attended in three months. I had been the secretary but had had to give it up because of a conflict withContinue reading “The Voice On The Tape – Grapevine Article January 2004 by Gay B.”
A Reason for Gratitude – Grapevine Article August 1996 by Carolene B.
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.”
Tools For Life – Grapevine Article January 2006 by Anonymous
There’s one for every problem that comes along I grew up without tools that showed me how to live. When I was a teenager, I started getting drunk. This gave me immense relief from a lot of bad feelings and made me feel I needed only one tool: alcohol. Alcohol solved all my problems. MyContinue reading “Tools For Life – Grapevine Article January 2006 by Anonymous”
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.”
Operation Acceptance: Moving from Rage to Letting Go – Grapevine Article April 2005 by Anonymous
Three months before my ninth sobriety birthday in AA, my uncle beat my grandmother to death. My family covered it up. For approximately a year following her death, I experienced a terrible emotional relapse. Filled with rage at my uncle and at AA, I could barely sit through an entire meeting. My uncle and IContinue reading “Operation Acceptance: Moving from Rage to Letting Go – Grapevine Article April 2005 by Anonymous”
In the Grip Of Rage – Grapevine Article September 2003 by Marc S.
He became his father and lived to know his pain firsthand I was eleven years old the night I was awakened by a woman’s screams and the thud of a body slamming into the other side of my bedroom wall. That sound is distinct and sickening, etched into my auditory memory to this day. AnyoneContinue reading “In the Grip Of Rage – Grapevine Article September 2003 by Marc S.”
Moment of Clarity, Act of Providence – Grapevine Article by Joe C.
He wanted to die because nothing could be worse than the life he was living. But the cop who arrested him had other ideas This particular run has lasted about four and a half years since I picked up that first drink. I had left AA after 11 months of clean time knowing it couldContinue reading “Moment of Clarity, Act of Providence – Grapevine Article by Joe C.”
Surrender – Grapevine Article by Trisha C.
Letting go of character defects, it turns out, is hard work Surrender is a very common word and a necessary action in the program of Alcoholics Anonymous. This word sounds so absolute and can mean something different to each person who daily attempts, whether successful or not, to let go of the things, thoughts, persons,Continue reading “Surrender – Grapevine Article by Trisha C.”
It’s Never Too Late For A Miracle – Grapevine Article November 1997 by Herb R.
This alcoholic finally got sober after bouncing in and out of AA for thirty-nine years I went to my first AA meeting in the spring of 1953. It was a prerequisite to being released from a state hospital where I’d spent sixty days for alcoholism at the tender age of twenty-one. The hospital experience scaredContinue reading “It’s Never Too Late For A Miracle – Grapevine Article November 1997 by Herb R.”