REMOVING "THE GROUND GLASS"
Recovery Einstein's Big Book perspective on the AA Daily Reflection for August 11.
In the Big Book, 'ground glass' is Bill's vivid image for the destructive power of resentment. He writes that harboring resentment is like 'eating something that you know is poison' — it grinds away at your insides and your sobriety [Page 66]. The only way to remove it is through the searching and fearless moral inventory of Step 4, where we write down resentments and see our own part in them [Page 67]. Then, in Steps 5-7, we ask God to remove these defects, and we begin to live free of that grinding bitterness. For the recovered alcoholic, this daily removal is not optional — it's a lifesaver, because a single old resentment can still cost you your sobriety if you let it fester [Page 85].
What is one resentment you're still holding onto today that you haven't fully brought into the light of Step 4?
Start each day with Einstein's Big Book perspective — a quiet moment before the world gets loud.
This is Recovery Einstein's original Big Book perspective on the day's theme — not the official AA Daily Reflections text. For the official reflection, follow the aa.org link above. Page references are to Alcoholics Anonymous (the Big Book), 4th Edition.
Quick answers
What is the AA Daily Reflection for August 11?
The theme for August 11 is “Removing "The Ground Glass".” In the Big Book, 'ground glass' is Bill's vivid image for the destructive power of resentment.
What is one resentment you're still holding onto today that you haven't fully brought into the light of Step 4?
For the recovered alcoholic, this daily removal is not optional — it's a lifesaver, because a single old resentment can still cost you your sobriety if you let it fester [Page 85]. (Big Book: Chapter 5: How It Works, pages 64-67)