A New Way Of Looking At Life – Grapevine Article April 1981 By D.J.

ONE AFTERNOON a few months ago, I found myself reviewing the story of AA co-founder Bill W.’s encounter with cosmic consciousness in Towns Hospital. I had come across a well-detailed account of the incident and had not proceeded far into it before I began to experience feelings of envy. After all, I reasoned, why shouldn’tContinue reading “A New Way Of Looking At Life – Grapevine Article April 1981 By D.J.”

Dealing With Regrets – Touchstone March 18th

Oh, that one could learn to learn in time! –Enrique Solari A mark of genuine change, after the pleasure of newfound growth, may be the regret one feels that we didn’t learn sooner. When we learn something new, we see how it could have made our life better at an earlier time. We regret beingContinue reading “Dealing With Regrets – Touchstone March 18th”

Losing Financial Fears – As Bill Sees It #75

When a job still looked like a mere means of getting money rather than an opportunity for service, when the acquisition of money for financial independence looked more important than a right dependence upon God, we were the victims of unreasonable fears. And these were fears which would make a serene and useful existence, atContinue reading “Losing Financial Fears – As Bill Sees It #75”

How Much Anonymity – As Bill Sees It #43

As a rule, the average newcomer wanted his family to know immediately what he was trying to do. He also wanted to tell others who had tried to help him—his doctor, his minister, and close friends. As he gained confidence, he felt it right to explain his new way of life to his employer andContinue reading “How Much Anonymity – As Bill Sees It #43”

Truthful Lives – Touchstone January 30th Reflection

Man can live his truth, his deepest truth, but cannot speak it. –Archibald MacLeish For many, being addicts meant living double lives. There were public selves whom others knew, and private selves whom no one met. It was a compulsive world, and both sides were false. Many of us grew up in addicted families andContinue reading “Truthful Lives – Touchstone January 30th Reflection”

Eliminating Shame Through The Principles and Practices of Alcoholics Anonymous by Steve K.

The word shame is derived from the Indo-European ‘skein’, which means to hide. Shame makes us want to hide from ourselves, and our peers – making shame an existentially isolating state of mind. Feeling shame makes a person dejection-based, passive, or helpless, causing the ashamed person to focus more on devaluing or condemning his entireContinue reading “Eliminating Shame Through The Principles and Practices of Alcoholics Anonymous by Steve K.”

Confusing Wants With Needs – Each Day A New Beginning – January 14th

In a culture where approval/disapproval has become the predominant regulator of effort and position, and often the substitute for love, our personal freedoms are dissipated. –Viola Spolin Wanting others to approve our efforts, our appearance, our aspirations and behavior is perfectly normal, certainly not unhealthy. However, needing the approval in order to proceed with ourContinue reading “Confusing Wants With Needs – Each Day A New Beginning – January 14th”

The White Flag Of Surrender – Grapevine Article December 1976 By Father T.

AA freed him of remorse and enabled him to serve God WHY SHOULD anyone be thankful for a progressive, incurable illness, which society regards as a disgrace, a weakness, a sin, and a crime? Why should I, an ordained priest, be grateful for an addiction to alcohol that eventually rendered me incapable of serving GodContinue reading “The White Flag Of Surrender – Grapevine Article December 1976 By Father T.”

As Good As It Gets – Grapevine Article June 2023 By Greg S.

Today, I set out to do one of the things that gives me a great deal of satisfaction—taking care of life’s day-to-day tasks. In the old days, fun had to be a wild, drunken adventure. Nowadays, I find enjoyment in simple everyday jobs that feature a quiet sort of fun and a sense of accomplishment. Continue reading “As Good As It Gets – Grapevine Article June 2023 By Greg S.”

Eliminating Self-Pity – Living Sober Chapter 22

This emotion is so ugly that no one in his or her right mind wants to admit feeling it. Even when sober, many of us remain clever at hiding from ourselves the fact that we are astew in a mess of self-pity. We do not like at all being told that it shows, and weContinue reading “Eliminating Self-Pity – Living Sober Chapter 22”