AA Grapevine from January 1962 - This Matter of Fear by Bill

AA Grapevine issue from January 1962. This issue includes the popular article “This Matter of Fear” by Bill W. This article was included in the series that was later turned into pamphlets and books titled “The Best of Bill”. This issue also includes the headline articles “Doctor’s in AA”, “Financial Finagling”, and much more!

Here is an excerpt of “This Matter Of Fear”:

 As the AA boom says “Fear is an evil, corroding thread; the fabric of our lives is shot through with it." Fear is surely a bar to reason, and to love, and of course it invariably powers anger, vainglory and aggression. It underlies maudlin guilt and paralyzing depression. President Roosevelt once made the significant remark that "We have nothing to fear but fear itself."

This is a severe indictment, and it is possibly too sweeping. For all its usual destructiveness, we have found that fear can be the starting point for better things. Fear can be a stepping stone to prudence and to a decent respect for others. It can point the path to justice, as well as to hate. And the more we have of respect and justice, the more we shall begin to find the love which can suffer much, and yet be freely given. So fear need not always be destructive, because the lessons of its consequences can lead us to positive values.

The achievement of freedom from fear is a lifetime undertaking, one that can never be wholly completed. When under heavy attack, acute illness, or in other conditions of serious insecurity, we shall all react, well or badly, as the case may be. Only the vainglorious claim perfect freedom from fear, though their very grandiosity is really rooted in the fears they have temporarily forgotten.”

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This Grapevine is in good condition. There is some wear to the cover.

Please view all of the photos for the conditions.