@terryberryster.bsky.social
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17: Good art mellows the soul. Bad art petri-fies it, turns it to stone, diminishes the level of its humanity. “Just as good literature and good art raise and ennoble character,” Donald Coggan writes, “so bad literature and bad art degrade it.”
The Monastic Way
By Joan Chittister
The Monastic Way
By Joan Chittister
February 17, 2026 at 1:30 PM
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17: Good art mellows the soul. Bad art petri-fies it, turns it to stone, diminishes the level of its humanity. “Just as good literature and good art raise and ennoble character,” Donald Coggan writes, “so bad literature and bad art degrade it.”
The Monastic Way
By Joan Chittister
The Monastic Way
By Joan Chittister
February 17, 2026
“What is involved in taking the entire AA program, as the early AAs gave it to us, is not the prospect of turning into some sort of repulsive goody-goody. It’s the threat of being truly alive, aware, and perhaps even ecstatic.”
AA Grapevine
“What is involved in taking the entire AA program, as the early AAs gave it to us, is not the prospect of turning into some sort of repulsive goody-goody. It’s the threat of being truly alive, aware, and perhaps even ecstatic.”
AA Grapevine
February 17, 2026 at 1:28 PM
February 17, 2026
“What is involved in taking the entire AA program, as the early AAs gave it to us, is not the prospect of turning into some sort of repulsive goody-goody. It’s the threat of being truly alive, aware, and perhaps even ecstatic.”
AA Grapevine
“What is involved in taking the entire AA program, as the early AAs gave it to us, is not the prospect of turning into some sort of repulsive goody-goody. It’s the threat of being truly alive, aware, and perhaps even ecstatic.”
AA Grapevine
159
Between the Extremes
"Apparently, the course of relative humility and progress will have to lie somewhere between these extremes. In our slow progress away from rebellion, true perfection is doubtless several millennia away."
LETTER, 1959
Between the Extremes
"Apparently, the course of relative humility and progress will have to lie somewhere between these extremes. In our slow progress away from rebellion, true perfection is doubtless several millennia away."
LETTER, 1959
February 17, 2026 at 1:25 PM
159
Between the Extremes
"Apparently, the course of relative humility and progress will have to lie somewhere between these extremes. In our slow progress away from rebellion, true perfection is doubtless several millennia away."
LETTER, 1959
Between the Extremes
"Apparently, the course of relative humility and progress will have to lie somewhere between these extremes. In our slow progress away from rebellion, true perfection is doubtless several millennia away."
LETTER, 1959
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16: God is beauty; beauty is an expression of God. Neither can be found without serious and sensitive searching, open and attentive pursuit.
The Monastic Way
By Joan Chittister
The Monastic Way
By Joan Chittister
February 16, 2026 at 2:35 PM
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16: God is beauty; beauty is an expression of God. Neither can be found without serious and sensitive searching, open and attentive pursuit.
The Monastic Way
By Joan Chittister
The Monastic Way
By Joan Chittister
February 16, 2026
“It’s true that the only requirement for membership in AA is a desire to stop drinking. But if you absolutely want a better life, well, hmmm ... How’s this? Working the Steps with a sponsor is a really good idea.”
“A Really Good Idea,” November 2003, AA Grapevine
“It’s true that the only requirement for membership in AA is a desire to stop drinking. But if you absolutely want a better life, well, hmmm ... How’s this? Working the Steps with a sponsor is a really good idea.”
“A Really Good Idea,” November 2003, AA Grapevine
February 16, 2026 at 2:33 PM
February 16, 2026
“It’s true that the only requirement for membership in AA is a desire to stop drinking. But if you absolutely want a better life, well, hmmm ... How’s this? Working the Steps with a sponsor is a really good idea.”
“A Really Good Idea,” November 2003, AA Grapevine
“It’s true that the only requirement for membership in AA is a desire to stop drinking. But if you absolutely want a better life, well, hmmm ... How’s this? Working the Steps with a sponsor is a really good idea.”
“A Really Good Idea,” November 2003, AA Grapevine
158
Tolerance in Practice
"In such an atmosphere the orthodox, the unorthodox, and the unbeliever mix happily and usefully together. An opportunity for spiritual growth is open to all."
LETTER, 1940
Tolerance in Practice
"In such an atmosphere the orthodox, the unorthodox, and the unbeliever mix happily and usefully together. An opportunity for spiritual growth is open to all."
LETTER, 1940
February 16, 2026 at 2:30 PM
158
Tolerance in Practice
"In such an atmosphere the orthodox, the unorthodox, and the unbeliever mix happily and usefully together. An opportunity for spiritual growth is open to all."
LETTER, 1940
Tolerance in Practice
"In such an atmosphere the orthodox, the unorthodox, and the unbeliever mix happily and usefully together. An opportunity for spiritual growth is open to all."
LETTER, 1940
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15: To engorge ourselves on bad art—bad TV, bad films, bad music, bad decorations—is as damaging of our quality of life as being slowly and surely smothered by smog.
The Monastic Way
By Joan Chittister
The Monastic Way
By Joan Chittister
February 15, 2026 at 3:12 PM
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15: To engorge ourselves on bad art—bad TV, bad films, bad music, bad decorations—is as damaging of our quality of life as being slowly and surely smothered by smog.
The Monastic Way
By Joan Chittister
The Monastic Way
By Joan Chittister
February 15, 2026
“Putting principles before personalities, both inside and outside the Fellowship, does not always endear me to everyone, but I would rather be disliked for what I am than liked for what I am not.”
“Step Twelve: The Whole of AA,” Coventry, United Kingdom, AA Grapevine
“Putting principles before personalities, both inside and outside the Fellowship, does not always endear me to everyone, but I would rather be disliked for what I am than liked for what I am not.”
“Step Twelve: The Whole of AA,” Coventry, United Kingdom, AA Grapevine
February 15, 2026 at 3:09 PM
February 15, 2026
“Putting principles before personalities, both inside and outside the Fellowship, does not always endear me to everyone, but I would rather be disliked for what I am than liked for what I am not.”
“Step Twelve: The Whole of AA,” Coventry, United Kingdom, AA Grapevine
“Putting principles before personalities, both inside and outside the Fellowship, does not always endear me to everyone, but I would rather be disliked for what I am than liked for what I am not.”
“Step Twelve: The Whole of AA,” Coventry, United Kingdom, AA Grapevine
157
Imagination
Perhaps our trouble was not that we used our imagination.
Perhaps the real trouble was our almost total inability to point imagination toward the right objectives. There's nothing the matter with truly constructive imagination; all sound achievements rests upon it.
12 X 12, P. 100
Imagination
Perhaps our trouble was not that we used our imagination.
Perhaps the real trouble was our almost total inability to point imagination toward the right objectives. There's nothing the matter with truly constructive imagination; all sound achievements rests upon it.
12 X 12, P. 100
February 15, 2026 at 3:07 PM
157
Imagination
Perhaps our trouble was not that we used our imagination.
Perhaps the real trouble was our almost total inability to point imagination toward the right objectives. There's nothing the matter with truly constructive imagination; all sound achievements rests upon it.
12 X 12, P. 100
Imagination
Perhaps our trouble was not that we used our imagination.
Perhaps the real trouble was our almost total inability to point imagination toward the right objectives. There's nothing the matter with truly constructive imagination; all sound achievements rests upon it.
12 X 12, P. 100
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14: Learn to stand in front of an art piece—a painting, a sculpture, a play, book, a poem—and ask yourself, “What am I meant to see in this?”
The Monastic Way
By Joan Chittister
The Monastic Way
By Joan Chittister
February 14, 2026 at 1:30 PM
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14: Learn to stand in front of an art piece—a painting, a sculpture, a play, book, a poem—and ask yourself, “What am I meant to see in this?”
The Monastic Way
By Joan Chittister
The Monastic Way
By Joan Chittister
February 14, 2026
“Compromise comes hard to us ‘all-or-nothing drunks.’ Nevertheless, we must never lose sight of the fact that progress is nearly always characterized by a series of improving compromises.”
AA Co-Founder, Bill W., April 1959
“Compromise comes hard to us ‘all-or-nothing drunks.’ Nevertheless, we must never lose sight of the fact that progress is nearly always characterized by a series of improving compromises.”
AA Co-Founder, Bill W., April 1959
February 14, 2026 at 1:27 PM
February 14, 2026
“Compromise comes hard to us ‘all-or-nothing drunks.’ Nevertheless, we must never lose sight of the fact that progress is nearly always characterized by a series of improving compromises.”
AA Co-Founder, Bill W., April 1959
“Compromise comes hard to us ‘all-or-nothing drunks.’ Nevertheless, we must never lose sight of the fact that progress is nearly always characterized by a series of improving compromises.”
AA Co-Founder, Bill W., April 1959
156
Perception of Humility
To those who have made progress in A.A., humility amounts to a clear recognition of what and who we really are, followed by a sincere attempt to become what we could be.
TWELVE AND TWELVE
P. 58
Perception of Humility
To those who have made progress in A.A., humility amounts to a clear recognition of what and who we really are, followed by a sincere attempt to become what we could be.
TWELVE AND TWELVE
P. 58
February 14, 2026 at 1:23 PM
156
Perception of Humility
To those who have made progress in A.A., humility amounts to a clear recognition of what and who we really are, followed by a sincere attempt to become what we could be.
TWELVE AND TWELVE
P. 58
Perception of Humility
To those who have made progress in A.A., humility amounts to a clear recognition of what and who we really are, followed by a sincere attempt to become what we could be.
TWELVE AND TWELVE
P. 58
NEED A MEETING?
Summer and SCott S are the speakers at 8pm on February 14th at The Saturday Night Speakers Meeting East, Kelsey Creek Church, 1221 148TH Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98007
Summer and SCott S are the speakers at 8pm on February 14th at The Saturday Night Speakers Meeting East, Kelsey Creek Church, 1221 148TH Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98007
February 13, 2026 at 10:11 PM
NEED A MEETING?
Summer and SCott S are the speakers at 8pm on February 14th at The Saturday Night Speakers Meeting East, Kelsey Creek Church, 1221 148TH Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98007
Summer and SCott S are the speakers at 8pm on February 14th at The Saturday Night Speakers Meeting East, Kelsey Creek Church, 1221 148TH Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98007
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13: Art is the attempt to give life to a new idea. “The artist,” Madeleine L’Engle writes, “is a servant who is willing to be a birthgiver.”
The Monastic Way
By Joan Chittister
The Monastic Way
By Joan Chittister
February 13, 2026 at 1:31 PM
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13: Art is the attempt to give life to a new idea. “The artist,” Madeleine L’Engle writes, “is a servant who is willing to be a birthgiver.”
The Monastic Way
By Joan Chittister
The Monastic Way
By Joan Chittister
February 13, 2026
“I no longer always have to be right.”
“An Unexpected Shot at Life,” Palmdale, California, July 1992, AA Grapevine
“I no longer always have to be right.”
“An Unexpected Shot at Life,” Palmdale, California, July 1992, AA Grapevine
February 13, 2026 at 1:28 PM
February 13, 2026
“I no longer always have to be right.”
“An Unexpected Shot at Life,” Palmdale, California, July 1992, AA Grapevine
“I no longer always have to be right.”
“An Unexpected Shot at Life,” Palmdale, California, July 1992, AA Grapevine
155
Built by the One and the Many
"It's not only to the few that we owe the remarkable developments in our unity and in our ability to carry A.A.'s message everywhere. It is to the many; indeed, it is to the labors of all of us that we owe these prime blessings."
TALK, 1959
Built by the One and the Many
"It's not only to the few that we owe the remarkable developments in our unity and in our ability to carry A.A.'s message everywhere. It is to the many; indeed, it is to the labors of all of us that we owe these prime blessings."
TALK, 1959
February 13, 2026 at 1:26 PM
155
Built by the One and the Many
"It's not only to the few that we owe the remarkable developments in our unity and in our ability to carry A.A.'s message everywhere. It is to the many; indeed, it is to the labors of all of us that we owe these prime blessings."
TALK, 1959
Built by the One and the Many
"It's not only to the few that we owe the remarkable developments in our unity and in our ability to carry A.A.'s message everywhere. It is to the many; indeed, it is to the labors of all of us that we owe these prime blessings."
TALK, 1959
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12: The time we spend pursuing the beautiful—in words or music or form—brings fresh air to the spirit, hope to the heart.
The Monastic Way
By Joan Chittister
The Monastic Way
By Joan Chittister
February 12, 2026 at 1:33 PM
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12: The time we spend pursuing the beautiful—in words or music or form—brings fresh air to the spirit, hope to the heart.
The Monastic Way
By Joan Chittister
The Monastic Way
By Joan Chittister
February 12, 2026
“We began to see adversity as a God-given opportunity to develop the kind of courage which is born of humility, rather than bravado. Thus we were enabled to accept ourselves, our circumstances, and our fellows.”
AA Co-Founder, Bill W., January 1962, “This Matter of Fear”
“We began to see adversity as a God-given opportunity to develop the kind of courage which is born of humility, rather than bravado. Thus we were enabled to accept ourselves, our circumstances, and our fellows.”
AA Co-Founder, Bill W., January 1962, “This Matter of Fear”
February 12, 2026 at 1:29 PM
February 12, 2026
“We began to see adversity as a God-given opportunity to develop the kind of courage which is born of humility, rather than bravado. Thus we were enabled to accept ourselves, our circumstances, and our fellows.”
AA Co-Founder, Bill W., January 1962, “This Matter of Fear”
“We began to see adversity as a God-given opportunity to develop the kind of courage which is born of humility, rather than bravado. Thus we were enabled to accept ourselves, our circumstances, and our fellows.”
AA Co-Founder, Bill W., January 1962, “This Matter of Fear”
154
Relapses -- and the Group
" After all, why should people who are drinking tell people who are dry how it should be done?
"Just kid the boys along -- ask them if they are having fun. If they are too noisy or troublesome, amiably keep out of their way."
LETTER, 1942
Relapses -- and the Group
" After all, why should people who are drinking tell people who are dry how it should be done?
"Just kid the boys along -- ask them if they are having fun. If they are too noisy or troublesome, amiably keep out of their way."
LETTER, 1942
February 12, 2026 at 1:27 PM
154
Relapses -- and the Group
" After all, why should people who are drinking tell people who are dry how it should be done?
"Just kid the boys along -- ask them if they are having fun. If they are too noisy or troublesome, amiably keep out of their way."
LETTER, 1942
Relapses -- and the Group
" After all, why should people who are drinking tell people who are dry how it should be done?
"Just kid the boys along -- ask them if they are having fun. If they are too noisy or troublesome, amiably keep out of their way."
LETTER, 1942
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11: Beauty is a window into the possibilities of life.
The Monastic Way
By Joan Chittister
The Monastic Way
By Joan Chittister
February 11, 2026 at 1:45 PM
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11: Beauty is a window into the possibilities of life.
The Monastic Way
By Joan Chittister
The Monastic Way
By Joan Chittister