The Gift Of Sobriety – Grapevine Article February 1993 In Their Own Words

I’m still mystified by how I got sober, and the only answer that makes sense is that I stopped drinking through the grace of God. I was thinking about the difference between those of us who get sober and those who are still drinking, and I believe the difference is that we have accepted theContinue reading “The Gift Of Sobriety – Grapevine Article February 1993 In Their Own Words”

Pray For Those You Resent – More Language Of Letting Go August 11th By Melody Beattie

Years ago, when I spotted the Stillwater Gazette, the oldest family-owned daily newspaper in existence, I knew I wanted to work there. I could feel it– in my bones and in my heart. When I went in to the offices to apply for the job, however, the owner didn’t have the same feeling I did.Continue reading “Pray For Those You Resent – More Language Of Letting Go August 11th By Melody Beattie”

Pride & Possessions – Grapevine Article September 2014 By Anonymous

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”

Being Is More Important Than Doing – August 6th Daily Reflection By Henri Nouwen

I suspect that we too often have lost contact with the source of our own existence and have become strangers in our own house. We tend to run around trying to solve the problems of our world while anxiously avoiding confrontation with that reality wherein our problems find their deepest roots: our own selves. InContinue reading “Being Is More Important Than Doing – August 6th Daily Reflection By Henri Nouwen”

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.”

Faith And Action – As Bill Sees It #212

Your prospect’s religious education and training may be far superior to yours. In that case, he is going to wonder how you can add anything to what he already knows. But he will be curious to learn why his convictions have not worked and yours seem to work so well. He may be an exampleContinue reading “Faith And Action – As Bill Sees It #212”

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”

Practicing Principles Of Hospitality & Welcoming – Touchstone Reflection July 18th

How should one live? Live welcoming to all.—Mechthild of Magdeburg Welcoming is a spiritual practice we met when we came to this program. We may recall our first meetings and how welcome we felt in this group of fellow sufferers. The group gave us hope when we felt desperate and continues to provide us withContinue reading “Practicing Principles Of Hospitality & Welcoming – Touchstone Reflection July 18th”

This Matter Of Honesty – As Bill Sees It #172

Only God can fully know what absolute honesty is. Therefore, each of us has to conceive what this great ideal may be—to the best of our ability. Fallible as we all are, and will be in this life, it would be presumption to suppose that we could ever really achieve absolute honesty. The best weContinue reading “This Matter Of Honesty – As Bill Sees It #172”

Growing Into, Not Out Of , The Steps – Recovery The Sacred Art By Rami Shapiro

MATURATION VERSUS MATURITY I define addiction as a state of mind committed to maintaining the illusion of control. In addition, I define spirituality as the practice of spiritual maturation, designed to continually cut through the illusion of control and return you over and over again to reality and your powerlessness over it. And I understandContinue reading “Growing Into, Not Out Of , The Steps – Recovery The Sacred Art By Rami Shapiro”