Simply How It Works
“Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path. Those who do not recover are people who cannot or will not completely give themselves to this simple program, usually men and women who are constitutionally incapable of being honest with themselves. There are such unfortunates. They are not at fault; they seem to have been born that way. They are naturally incapable of grasping and developing a manner of living which demands rigorous honesty. Their chances are less than average. There are those, too, who suffer from grave emotional and mental disorders, but many of them do recover if they have the capacity to be honest.”
Good morning Ladies! I signed on to chair this week awhile back and did not anticipate my life changing as much as it did. Grateful for a solution today in my life. I am grateful to be a part of the best program EVER. We are a part of a program that has changed so many lives whether through our twelve steps or the lives of our friends and family who participate in the “sister” program, or for those who identified in other twelve step programs who were able to make change in their lives as a result of “following this path.”
What is this path?? I read the emails and could see the members who are struggling with this fatal, progressive disease. Please find a sponsor, read the Big Book, work the steps, get involved in this program. Work all the steps, honestly. There will come a time where we will not have a defense against that first drink, and it must come from a higher power.
“Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path.” What is this path? “Those who do not recover are people who cannot or will not completely give themselves to this simple program, usually men and women who are constitutionally incapable of being honest with themselves.” The word “Honest(y)” is mentioned three times in the first couple paragraphs in Chapter Five “How It Works”. What do we need to be honest about?
For me, I was dishonest about my alcoholism for so many years. I remember my father walking with me outside suggesting to try Alcoholics Anonymous for my drinking, because he felt I was an alcoholic. It was easier (at that time) to say the following: “Dad, I don’t believe that I have a drinking problem. I do think there is something wrong with me and that I am crazy. I might need help because I do the same things over and over and can’t stop.” Deep down inside, I was angry that he could even suggest there was a drinking problem. The day I finally asked for help was when a little voice inside said “it’s time.” I placed myself into treatment first because it was impossible to stop drinking for one day on my own. Upon leaving treatment, I was led to an AA meeting that became my home group and found my first sponsor.
“. usually men and women who are constitutionally incapable of being honest with themselves. There are such unfortunates. They are not at fault; they seem to have been born that way. They are naturally incapable of grasping and developing a manner of living which demands rigorous honesty.” A doctor diagnoses you with cancer, diabetes, (fill in the blank). I will go to any lengths to fight this disease. An alcoholic hears “you have a drinking problem, and it is fatal/progressive which will kill you” and we say, “I have it under control.” The lie that we can control our drinking is insanity.
At the end of How It Works, we read the ABC’s. Alcohol is a power great than me. I must surrender to the fact that no one can cure me of my alcoholism. It must come from a power greater than alcohol! Lastly, I have to seek out the power greater than myself. The path mentioned in the first sentence includes the remainder of the steps. Trust God, clean house, help others. What is your experience, strength, and hope for the suffering alcoholic? Do we accept this disease is a fatal, progressive disease? How do we arrest this disease and what is the solution?