Self Acceptance – 12 Essential Insights For Emotional Sobriety by Dr. Allen Berger

Acceptance and Self-Acceptance Acceptance comes in two types: acceptance of the world as it is and, more specifically, acceptance of who we are as individuals. Acceptance is one of the “big ideas” in recovery. This is one of the great challenges we face: accepting that life is what it is. When we struggle with addiction,Continue reading “Self Acceptance – 12 Essential Insights For Emotional Sobriety by Dr. Allen Berger”

How Do I Respond To Failing – Each Day A New Beginning Feb 3rd

When we begin to take our failures non-seriously, it means we are ceasing to be afraid of them. It is of immense importance to learn to laugh at ourselves.–Katherine Mansfield Perfectionism and its control over our lives stands seriously in the way of our growth and well-being, emotionally, spiritually, and even physically. Life’s lessons comeContinue reading “How Do I Respond To Failing – Each Day A New Beginning Feb 3rd”

The Strange Mental Blank Spot – Grapevine Article by Louisa P.

An alcoholic does battle with the strange mental blank spot that separates her (and all alcoholics) from the rest of humanity Alcoholism is a physical, mental, and spiritual disease. That’s what we learn in AA. Alcoholism is merely a lack of self-discipline. That’s what most of the world thinks. Alcoholics can exert all the self-disciplineContinue reading “The Strange Mental Blank Spot – Grapevine Article by Louisa P.”

A Gift That Surpasses Understanding – Grapevine Article by A Priest April 1970

The spiritual experience in AA is something quite apart from formal religion, says this priest Frequently around the AA program we hear a person say, “The spiritual side of the program is not for me” or “I don’t go for the spiritual bit. As long as I don’t drink, I’m satisfied. I leave the pie-in-the-skyContinue reading “A Gift That Surpasses Understanding – Grapevine Article by A Priest April 1970”

Out of This World! – Grapevine Article July 1992 by George M.

I had a surprising thought last night. As I listened to fellow AA members share, those initials AA took on a new meaning for me–Aliens Anonymous. I don’t know if every alcoholic feels like an alien, but I certainly have. Sometimes I still do. I’ve often said it was as if my second-grade teacher hadContinue reading “Out of This World! – Grapevine Article July 1992 by George M.”

Knowing It’s Not Personal – 12 Essential Insights for Emotional Sobriety – Dr. Allen Berger

Stop for a moment and think about all the things that upset you during the day. A friend says you’re not being attentive enough. Your partner seems to be ignoring you. The auto repair service implies you’re stupid for not knowing it was time to change the oil. A driver swerves in front of youContinue reading “Knowing It’s Not Personal – 12 Essential Insights for Emotional Sobriety – Dr. Allen Berger”

Does AA Have Hidden Membership Rules? – Grapevine Article June 2004 by Anonymous

You don’t have to be a sheep to stay sober I’ve been a grateful and active member of AA for fourteen years and have always been an admirer and student of AA literature and history. Though I’d like to think so at times, I don’t have all the answers, but I do have lots ofContinue reading “Does AA Have Hidden Membership Rules? – Grapevine Article June 2004 by Anonymous”

Forgiveness – As Bill Sees It #318

Through the vital Fifth Step, we began to get the feeling that we could be forgiven, no matter what we had thought or done. Often it was while working on this Step with our sponsors or spiritual advisers that we first felt truly able to forgive others, no matter how deeply we felt they hadContinue reading “Forgiveness – As Bill Sees It #318”

The Green Demon – Grapevine Article May 1962 by M.D.B.

Jealousy is poisonous – but this AA member found an effective antidote I CAN mark one thing well, in looking back at my whirling nightmare of drinking, it was the only time I was ever completely jealous of total strangers! It amazes me now to remember that I had ugly and envious thoughts about innocentContinue reading “The Green Demon – Grapevine Article May 1962 by M.D.B.”

Seeing & Accepting Our Reality – 12 & 12 pages 122 -125

This extract from Step 12 can be thought of as a high level roadmap for helping us understand our ongoing journey toward emotional sobriety as we grow in maturity and balance. This journey has no ceiling ; we can always be in a mode of expansion. Bill W more deeply explored these themes in hisContinue reading “Seeing & Accepting Our Reality – 12 & 12 pages 122 -125”