As a newcomer, I first heard “How It Works” before I ever picked up a Big Book. It conveyed the essence of the program in a couple of minutes. Its repetition over the years has served as a general reminder. After all, alcoholics have short memories. Legend has it that Bill W. wrote “How ItContinue reading “‘How It Works’ Works For Me – Grapevine Article October 2003 by Diane S.”
Category Archives: Unity
What Is Freedom in AA? – Grapevine Article May 1960 by Bill W
THE TRADITIONS and customs of Alcoholics Anonymous reveal a charter for individual and group freedom, the like of which history has never before produced. We have no humanly administered government whatever. Once upon a time, there was an AA member who got the notion that his own group was a little too stuffy, respectable, andContinue reading “What Is Freedom in AA? – Grapevine Article May 1960 by Bill W”
The Harmony of Service – Grapevine Article January 1984 by W.C.
WHILE LISTENING to a fine choral group, I was greatly impressed by the beauty of their singing. My heart was thrilled as the sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses–all in unison–joined in one powerful voice. But then, on the chorus, they sang their individual parts, and the harmony was enrapturing. It made the rendition of theContinue reading “The Harmony of Service – Grapevine Article January 1984 by W.C.”
How 14 groups grew to 22 – Grapevine Article January 1945 by Frank S.
This article was reprinted in the the November 2018 Grapevine that focused on AA History. In 1944, AA’s cofounder, Bill W., swings through California to lend a helping hand to the new groups Just over one year ago, Bill made a two-month visit to the West Coast, one month of which was spent in LosContinue reading “How 14 groups grew to 22 – Grapevine Article January 1945 by Frank S.”
Anonymity – Grapevine Article January 2000 by Diane O.
Its Necessity Today I believe that anonymity–the spiritual substance of it–is more important than ever today. The spiritual substance of anonymity–self-sacrifice–is the cement that binds us, that allows us to stay alive and well and growing. Most of us arrived in AA as egomaniacs, power drivers, manipulators, glory seekers, and islands unto ourselves, self-obsessed andContinue reading “Anonymity – Grapevine Article January 2000 by Diane O.”
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.”
Leave Outside Issues Out Here – Grapevine Article October 2021 by Anonymous
Talking politics is frowned on in AA meetings. One member makes the case that clothes can talk too Tradition Ten tells us that “no AA group or member should ever, in such a way as to implicate AA, express any opinion on outside controversial issues—particularly those of politics, alcohol reform, or sectarian religion. The AlcoholicsContinue reading “Leave Outside Issues Out Here – Grapevine Article October 2021 by Anonymous”
It Might Have Been the Time – Grapevine Article February 1950 by Lois (Bill W.‘s Wife and Al-Anon Founder )
I too needed spiritual development IT is hard to say just when Alcoholics Anonymous began. It may have been at the time a friend came to see my husband, Bill. Or it may have been at the moment of Bill’s spiritual experience. Most AAs feel it is the time six months later when he metContinue reading “It Might Have Been the Time – Grapevine Article February 1950 by Lois (Bill W.‘s Wife and Al-Anon Founder )”
AFTER – Grapevine Article April 1989 by Anonymous
It’s a well-know AA fact that the Big Book underwent intense scrutiny and exhaustive discussion before reaching print in its final form. In fact, Bill W. often referred to himself as the referee of these “discussions” rather then the Big Book’s author. Below, excerpted from chapter five, are some examples of the changes that cameContinue reading “AFTER – Grapevine Article April 1989 by Anonymous”
The Whisper of Humility – Grapevine Article March 1955 by E.M., MD.
ONE PART of our great program–the Twelve Traditions–has come to mean life itself to me. The Traditions, as written by our co-founder Bill, define for me clearly and precisely how to get well and stay well. They tell me who God is, what He does, and where He functions. They show me what spirituality isContinue reading “The Whisper of Humility – Grapevine Article March 1955 by E.M., MD.”
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