We went to extremes in drinking, why not in working the program? THE other day I happened to be leafing through some old Grapevines and came on an article by Gerald Heard, “The Search for Ecstasy,” in the May, 1958, issue. It’s only three pages long, but it manages to say a lot–to me atContinue reading “The Threat of the Twelve Steps – Grapevine Article October 1965 By Anonymous”
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The Search for Ecstasy – Grapevine Article May 1958 By Gerald Heard
A note from Bill W. The Grapevine is trying out the idea of inviting an occasional article from its friends in the world around us. Gerald Heard, one of our most ardent well wishers, has sent in the “think piece” printed below. The views he here sets forth are sure to be stimulating to manyContinue reading “The Search for Ecstasy – Grapevine Article May 1958 By Gerald Heard”
What’s My Business – Powerful Quotes From A New Pair of Glasses By Chuck C
So, my business is to go about His business, and it’s His business to take care of me. That is not my business, that’s His business. Now what is His business that I’m going about? Helping His kids do things they need to get done because I want to. (Page 105) Two verses popped throughContinue reading “What’s My Business – Powerful Quotes From A New Pair of Glasses By Chuck C”
Emotional Sobriety – 7:30am Saturdays In February – Resources & Background Information
As many of you know, this AA group (Get Up, Get Out, Get Sober) has an interest in emotional sobriety. Bill W describes emotional sobriety in the Twelve & Twelve as a key objective stating “we practice all Twelve Steps of the program in our daily lives so that we and those about us mayContinue reading “Emotional Sobriety – 7:30am Saturdays In February – Resources & Background Information”
When The Student Is Ready, The Teacher Appears – Each Day A New Beginning January 25th
The time of discipline began. Each of us the pupil of whichever one of us could best teach what each of us needed to learn. – Maria Isabel Barreno “When the pupil is ready, the teacher appears.” Life’s lessons often come unexpectedly. They come, nevertheless, and they come according to a time frame that isContinue reading “When The Student Is Ready, The Teacher Appears – Each Day A New Beginning January 25th”
If You’re Ever In A Dark Room – Recovery Poem By Troy H.
This morning as we read the final few paragraphs in the Twelve & Twelve for Step 1 ; we discussed bottoms and surrender. One of our members, Troy H., shared this poem he wrote in the darkness of his bottom. This has been added to the Recovery Poems section of the gugogs.org website – BruceContinue reading “If You’re Ever In A Dark Room – Recovery Poem By Troy H.”
When Age Happens – Grapevine Article February 2026 By Anonymous
The pains of getting older are no fun. But she uses every AA tool she’s got and copes a day at a time I got sober when I was 54, and I’m not so young anymore. Aging with pain has been one of the most emotionally challenging things I’ve had to deal with in sobriety.Continue reading “When Age Happens – Grapevine Article February 2026 By Anonymous”
Rigorous Honesty & Vulnerability In Accepting Life As It Is – Consolations By David Whyte
I found this short reflection on ‘Honesty’ by the outstanding poet and author David Whyte in his book Consolations very useful in helping understand the challenge of rigorous honesty which ‘How It Works’(BB p.58) identifies as a ‘demand’ for a sustainable recovery. His reflection also helps to connect us to the experience of the powerlessness, uncertainty andContinue reading “Rigorous Honesty & Vulnerability In Accepting Life As It Is – Consolations By David Whyte”
In God’s Hands – As Bill Sees It #2
When we look back, we realize that the things which came to us when we put ourselves in God’s hands were better than anything we could have planned. ************ My depression deepened unbearably, and finally it seemed to me as though I were at the very bottom of the pit. For the moment, the lastContinue reading “In God’s Hands – As Bill Sees It #2”
Examining Our Expectations – Each Day A New Beginning May 9th
To expect too much is to have a sentimental view of life, and this is a softness that ends in bitterness. —Flannery O’Connor Having too-high expectations is a setup for disappointment. Expectations that are high lend themselves to a fantasy life, and reality can never match our fantasies. When we get hooked on the fantasies,Continue reading “Examining Our Expectations – Each Day A New Beginning May 9th”