Would AA’s Fourth Step have changed the ending of the famous old horror story? THREE-QUARTERS of a century ago, Fanny Stevenson, frightened in the night by her husband’s cries and moans, prodded him into wakefulness. In a dawning state of consciousness he was annoyed, and not for the usually mundane reason. Robert Louis Stevenson, whoContinue reading “Tenth Step Thoughts – Grapevine Article October 1962 by C.D.A.”
Category Archives: Tolerance
The Good Old Times – Grapevine Article June 1985 by Anonymous
SEVERAL YEARS AGO, I crawled back to AA after a slip lasting more than a year. Along with a deep thankfulness for being home again, I’ve occasionally experienced some irritation (perhaps a stab of false pride) on being told by another member, “I don’t have to drink again–you did it for me!” That slip broughtContinue reading “The Good Old Times – Grapevine Article June 1985 by Anonymous”
The Power of Our Part ( Awareness, Attitudes, and Actions ) When Encountering Pain By Bruce M.
Yesterday as we discussed Chapter 22 of Living Sober regarding self-pity, we had some powerful shares about the importance of acknowledging and facing our pain. I’ve chosen as my primary lead a Grapevine article published on the website back in January that we’ve never discussed entitled ‘The Power of Pain’. This article captures and expandsContinue reading “The Power of Our Part ( Awareness, Attitudes, and Actions ) When Encountering Pain By Bruce M.”
In the Spirit – Not the Letter of Alcoholics Anonymous -Grapevine Article by Laurie A. January 2007
Love, not worship, for the Big Book My friends (and enemies) had diagnosed the problem–I could not drink without getting drunk. They weren’t telling me anything I didn’t know. And they offered no solution except, “Just don’t drink,” or, “Stop when you’ve had enough.” If I could have done that, I would have. I’d triedContinue reading “In the Spirit – Not the Letter of Alcoholics Anonymous -Grapevine Article by Laurie A. January 2007”
Unlocking the Group Conscience – Grapevine Article February 1992 by Toni F.
I have often heard it said that all you need to start a new AA group is a resentment and a coffeepot. Resentments had kept me drunk for many years, and in 1987 I was literally dying from alcohol and drug addiction, fueled by resentments. I sobered up at a group close to my home.Continue reading “Unlocking the Group Conscience – Grapevine Article February 1992 by Toni F.”
Pay Attention – Grapevine Article May 1980 By B.M.
MANY YEARS ago, when I was trying to integrate constant social drinking with happy personal relationships, this futile endeavor led me to consult a psychologist (who, I see in retrospect, was an outstanding therapist) and to take what he called a “course.” He did not diagnose me as alcoholic; but he did, after the firstContinue reading “Pay Attention – Grapevine Article May 1980 By B.M.”
Toward Reality – Grapevine Article April 1980 by C.B.
THE SPEAKER at my group’s closed meeting recounted her sponsor’s advice for dealing with her fears: “Don’t drink, go to daily meetings, and nothing bad can happen to you.” Not long before this meeting, dear AA friends who don’t drink and do go to many meetings had experienced probably the worst thing that can happenContinue reading “Toward Reality – Grapevine Article April 1980 by C.B.”
Spiritual Life Is Not A Theory – Grapevine Web Exclusive By Matt M
AA reconnected him “to the world, the infinite and to other people” I had seen the change in my dad after he got sober in the early 70’s. He was immersed in AA, and I got to know his friends and “pigeons”—his sponsees. They were the first examples of what AA happiness looked like. SeeingContinue reading “Spiritual Life Is Not A Theory – Grapevine Web Exclusive By Matt M”
Love and Tolerance – Grapevine Article November 2014 By Justin P
The first person who asked me to sponsor him in the program was a gay man. I had reservations about doing this, as I am not gay, and reacted with fear and ignorance. I called my sponsor to get his opinion on the right thing to do. Being the good sponsor that he is, heContinue reading “Love and Tolerance – Grapevine Article November 2014 By Justin P”
A Death In The Family – Grapevine Article February 2004 By Nick K
He went to a meeting; his brother went to a bar What is that saying–when God closes a door, he opens a window? I have found this to be true in my life since getting sober. I have been sober since May 1996. With the help of a sponsor who told me what to do,Continue reading “A Death In The Family – Grapevine Article February 2004 By Nick K”