The Sober Lifestyle

06/06/2025

01/08/2022

Old Timer's Prayer

God, keep me from thinking I must share in every meeting, no matter the topic. Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details and give me wings to get to the point. Remind me to guard confidences and to keep still when I feel it is necessary to speak up for someone own good.

Release me from the need to straighten out everybody else's thinking and program. God, I ask for the grace to listen to newcomers. Please help me to remember the patience with which others listened to me when I was new.

Please seal my lips to giving advice, and help me to remember to share only my experience, strength, and hope.

Remind me that my purpose is to fit myself to be of maximum service to You and to the people around me.

Help me to remain teachable. Teach me (again) the lesson that, occasionally, it is possible that I may be wrong; and remind me, please, of the freedom that I gain when I am able to promptly admit I am wrong and make amends where necessary.

Help me to remember the difference between making amends and just saying, I am sorry. Help me to be a worker among workers, a friend among friends.

Please keep me from being a bleeding deacon, and help me to walk the path towards being an elder statesman/stateswoman. Keep me ever mindful that I cannot manage my own life through my own unaided will. I know that I am not a saint; please show me the way to seek You so that I may continue to grow along spiritual lines.

Remind me, please, of Rule 62 to not take myself so damn seriously. (It is so easy to take myself way too seriously.) Keep me free of gossip, character assassination, and judgment.

Remind me that because I am not perfect, although I have humbly asked, my character defects and shortcomings still arise unexpectedly, to cause damage to others and to myself.

Help me to walk with faith and acceptance, to see good things in unexpected places and talents in unexpected people, and give me the grace to tell them so.

Help me to see that You love each of Your children, and that You do not need my opinion of them or suggestions on what they might deserve.

Amen

10/27/2021

Aww ...

It must never be forgotten that the purpose of Alcoholics Anonymous is to sober up alcoholics. There is no religious or spiritual requirement for membership. No demands are made on anyone. An experience is offered which members may accept or reject. That is up to them.

10/27/2021

Shirley Temple's first on camera scene.

05/24/2021

Grapevine and La Viña Celebrate Founders' Day with Free Access from May 26 through June 10, 2021.

On June 10, 1935, Dr. Bob had his last drink and that day marks the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous. Since so many meetings are still closed, and groups have limited ability to celebrate our founding, Grapevine and La Viña will help mark this important date by giving everyone free access to our websites for two weeks. You will be able to read and listen to stories from current and past issues, access our sobriety calculator, read the daily quote, learn how you can contribute your story, and find ways to serve others using Grapevine and La Viña magazines.

Please share this news with other members.

05/21/2021

https://fb.watch/5Dp_hYAQQw/

05/13/2021

There's no amount of liquor, wine or beer that is safe for your overall health, according to a new analysis of 2016 global alcohol consumption and disease ri...

12/23/2020

PolitiFact is a fact-checking website that rates the accuracy of claims by elected officials and others on its Truth-O-Meter.