AA Grapevine - April/May 2014

[MajestyJo]

April 1

"Despite the happy transcendence of the difficulties of yesterday and of today, we nevertheless deeply realize that our negative traits are still with us, and always will be. Therefore our constant responsibility should be that of taking a fearless inventory of our defects as we go along, the better to undertake their mending."

Celebrating The Language of the Heart

AA Co-Founder, Bill W., July 1965

"Responsibility Is Our Theme"

The Language of the Heart

[MajestyJo]

April 2

"For all the slow mornings, there are just as many when I arise with an open mind, willing to see what God has in store for me that day. Every chapter of self-pity ends when I am willing to abandon my pride and reach out to another alcoholic."

Xian, China, October 1994

"Distilled Spirits,"

AA Grapevine

[MajestyJo]

April 3

"In AA ... I was once again able to hear the sounds of nature. I looked at a pine tree one day and began to cry at how beautiful it was. I learned to laugh again."

Marina, California, October 1994

"Birches,"

AA Grapevine

[MajestyJo]

April 4

"I am responsible as a trusted servant to be informed -- my group expects and deserves that. That responsibility requires me to take action, to do some reading, and to find out what the principles say -- not what I think ... The beautiful thing about AA is that we don't have to reinvent the wheel. We have directions and guidelines that we can follow; they were hammered out on the anvil of experience by those who have gone before us."

San Carlos, California, October 1994

"The Anvil of Experience,"

AA Grapevine

[MajestyJo]

April 5

"My basic flaw had always been dependence -- almost absolute dependence -- on people or circumstances to supply me with prestige, security, and the like. Failing to get these things according to my perfectionist dreams and specifications, I had fought for them. And when defeat came, so did my depression."

Celebrating The Language of the Heart

AA Co-Founder, Bill W., January 1958

"The Next Frontier: Emotional Sobriety"

The Language of the Heart

[MajestyJo]

April 6

"The good news is that anyone can become an old-timer if they're willing to be willing to change and follow some direction."

Menifee, California, July 2011

"A Matter of Time,"

AA Grapevine

[MajestyJo]

April 7

"May those who come to know the truth never forget it."

Mulberry, Florida, June 2011

"This Wasted Life,"

AA Grapevine

[MajestyJo]

April 8

"Awareness is the most accessible doorway to spirituality."

Emotional Sobriety II

Ames, Iowa, July 2010

"Binge Thinker,"

Emotional Sobriety II: The Next Frontier

[MajestyJo]

April 9

"Success is more a state of heart and mind than a sum total of material assets."

Emotional Sobriety II

February 2007

"Change to Spare,"
Emotional Sobriety II: The Next Frontier

[MajestyJo]

April 10

"Finally came April 1939. The book was done. Tales of recovery for its story section had been supplied by Dr. Bob and his Akron brethren. Others were supplied by New Yorkers, New Jerseyites. One came in from Cleveland and another from Maryland. Chapters had been read and discussed at meetings. I had thought myself the author of the text until I discovered I was just the umpire of the differences of opinion. After endless voting on a title for the new work we had decided to call it The Way Out. But inquiry by Fitz M., our Maryland alcoholic, at The Library of Congress disclosed the fact that 12 books already bore that title. Surely we couldn't make our book the 13th. So we named it Alcoholics Anonymous instead! Though we didn't know it, our movement then got its name -- a name which because of the implication of humility and modesty has given us our treasured spiritual principle of anonymity."

Celebrating The Language of the Heart

AA Co-Founder, Bill W., July 1947

"Book Publication Proved Discouraging Venture"

The Language of the Heart



The wolf means teacher.

[MajestyJo]

April 11

"I cannot afford to take sobriety for granted ... I count my blessings and enjoy them all, large and small."

Spiritual Awakenings II

Green Valley, Arizona, February 1978

"Summer of Discontent,"

Spiritual Awakenings II

[MajestyJo]

April 12

"I am not my disease; I just have it."

Emotional Sobriety II

San Jose, California, December 2010

"Four Years,"
Emotional Sobriety II: The Next Frontier

[MajestyJo]

April 13

"I've been told to shake hands and have started doing so, even though it feels awkward ... I know one thing and one thing only: Today I'm sober and loved by members of my home group, even though I might not love myself yet."

Waukesha, Wisconsin, March 2006

"Head Full of AA and a Belly Full of Beer,"

AA Grapevine

[MajestyJo]

April 14

"We are sure there must be a million alcoholics who would join Alcoholics Anonymous tomorrow if only they knew what we do. We keenly realize that any fundamental disunity among us could instantly disillusion tens of thousands who would again turn their faces to the wall. Hence those disruptions common to great wealth, power, or controversy ought never be for us. Too many of the 'million who don't yet know' would surely die"

Celebrating The Language of the Heart

AA Co-Founder, Bill W., October 1949

"We Approach Maturity"

The Language of the Heart

[MajestyJo]

April 15

"Every day will bring me challenges, but now I have the spiritual tools to cope with life on life's terms. I am no longer the prisoner of my past, my wants, my sorrows, my addictions"

Spiritual Awakenings II

October 2002

"On My Knees into the World Wide Web of Recovery,"

Spiritual Awakenings II