// ============================================== // Copyright 2004 by CodeLifter.com // Free for all; but please leave in this header. // ============================================== var Quotation=new Array() // do not change this! // Set up the quotations to be shown, below. // To add more quotations, continue with the // pattern, adding to the array. Remember // to increment the Quotation[x] index! Quotation[0] = "Ominous warning - which I failed to heed. Page 1"; Quotation[1] = "Our friends thought a lunacy commission should be appointed. Perhaps they were right. Page 3"; Quotation[2] = "Liquor ceased to be a luxury; it became a necessity. Page 5"; Quotation[3] = "Someone had pushed a drink my way, and I had taken it. Was I crazy? I began to wonder, for such an appalling lack of perspective seemed near being just that. Page 5"; Quotation[4] = "The remorse, horror and hopelessness of the next morning are unforgettable. Page 6"; Quotation[5] = "Best of all, I met a kind doctor who explained that though certainly selfish and foolish, I had been seriously ill, bodily and mentally. Page 7"; Quotation[6] = "It relieved me somewhat to learn that in alcoholics the will is amazingly weakened when it comes to combating liquor, though it often remains strong in other respects. Page 7"; Quotation[7] = "No words can tell of the loneliness and despair I found in that bitter morass of self-pity. Page 8"; Quotation[8] = "I had met my match. I had been overwhelmed. Alcohol was my master. Page 8"; Quotation[9] = "Fear sobered me for a bit. Then came the insidious insanity of that first drink,... Page 8"; Quotation[10] = "How dark it is before the dawn! Page 8"; Quotation[11] = "I was soon to be catapulted into what I like to call the fourth dimension of existence. I was to know happiness, peace, and usefulness, in a way of life that is incredibly more wonderful as time passes. Page 8"; Quotation[12] = "He looked straight at me. Simply, but smilingly, he said, \"I've got religion.\" Page 9"; Quotation[13] = "They had told of a simple religious idea and a practical program of action. That was two months ago and the result was self-evident. It worked! Page 9"; Quotation[14] = "I was not an atheist. Few people really are, for that means blind faith in the strange proposition that this universe originated in a cipher and aimlessly rushes nowhere. Page 10"; Quotation[15] = "Despite contrary indications, I had little doubt that a mighty purpose and rhythm underlay all. How could there be so much of precise and immutable law, and no intelligence? Page 10"; Quotation[16] = "To Christ I conceded the certainty of a great man, not too closely followed by those who claimed Him. His moral teaching - most excellent. For myself, I had adopted those parts which seemed convenient and not too difficult; the rest I disregarded. Page 11"; Quotation[17] = "But my friend sat before me, and he made the point-blank declaration that God had done for him what he could not do for himself. Page 11"; Quotation[18] = "It began to look as though religious people were right after all. Here was something at work in a human heart which had done the impossible. My ideas about miracles were drastically revised right then. Page 11"; Quotation[19] = "My friend suggested what then seemed a novel idea. He said, \"Why don't you choose your own conception of God?\" Page 12"; Quotation[20] = "It was only a matter of being willing to believe in a Power greater than myself. Nothing more was required of me to make my beginning. Page 12"; Quotation[21] = "Upon a foundation of complete willingness I might build what I saw in my friend. Would I have it? Of course I would! Page 12"; Quotation[22] = "Thus was I convinced that God is concerned with us humans when we want Him enough. At long last I saw, I felt, I believed. Scales of pride and prejudice fell from my eyes. A new world came into view. Page 12"; Quotation[23] = "For a brief moment, I had needed and wanted God. There had been a humble willingness to have Him with me - and He came. Page 12"; Quotation[24] = "I placed myself unreservedly under His care and direction. I admitted for the first time that of myself I was nothing; that without Him I was lost. Page 13"; Quotation[25] = "I ruthlessly faced my sins and became willing to have my new-found Friend take them away, root and branch. I have not had a drink since. Page 13"; Quotation[26] = "We made a list of people I had hurt or toward whom I felt resentment. I expressed my entire willingness to approach these individuals, admitting my wrong. Never was I to be critical of them. I was to right all such matters to the utmost of my ability. Page 13"; Quotation[27] = "I was to test my thinking by the new God-consciousness within. Common sense would thus become uncommon sense. Page 13"; Quotation[28] = "I was to sit quietly when in doubt, asking only for direction and strength to meet my problems as He would have me. Never was I to pray for myself, except as my requests bore on my usefulness to others. Then only might I expect to receive. Page 13"; Quotation[29] = "My friend promised when these things were done I would enter upon a new relationship with my Creator; that I would have the elements of a way of living which answered all my problems. Page 13"; Quotation[30] = "Simple, but not easy; a price had to be paid. It meant destruction of self-centeredness. Page 14"; Quotation[31] = "I must turn in all things to the Father of Light who presides over us all. Page 14"; Quotation[32] = "While I lay in the hospital the thought came that there were thousands of hopeless alcoholics who might be glad to have what had been so freely given me. Perhaps I could help some of them. They in turn might work with others. Page 14"; Quotation[33] = "My friend had emphasized the absolute necessity of demonstrating these principles in all my affairs. Particularly was it imperative to work with others as he had worked with me. Faith without works was dead, he said. And how appallingly true for the alcoholic! Page 14"; Quotation[34] = "For if an alcoholic failed to perfect and enlarge his spiritual life through work and self-sacrifice for others, he could not survive the certain trials and low spots ahead. If he did not work, he would surely drink again, and if he drank, he would surely die. Pages 14-15"; Quotation[35] = "This sometimes nearly drove me back to drink, but I soon found that when all other measures failed, work with another alcoholic would save the day. Page 15"; Quotation[36] = "It is a design for living that works in rough going. Page 15"; Quotation[37] = "There is scarcely any form of trouble and misery which has not been overcome among us. Page 15"; Quotation[38] = "Faith has to work twenty-four hours a day in and through us, or we perish. Page 16"; Quotation[39] = "Most of us feel we need look no further for Utopia. We have it with us right here and now. Page 16"; Quotation[40] = "We are people who normally would not mix. But there exists among us a fellowship, a friendliness, and an understanding which is indescribably wonderful. Page 17"; Quotation[41] = "We are like the passengers of a great liner the moment after rescue from shipwreck when camaraderie, joyousness and democracy pervade the vessel from steerage to Captain's table. Page 17"; Quotation[42] = "The feeling of having shared in a common peril is one element in the powerful cement which binds us. But that in itself would never have held us together as we are now joined. Page 17"; Quotation[43] = "The tremendous fact for every one of us is that we have discovered a common solution. We have a way out on which we can absolutely agree, and upon which we can join in brotherly and harmonious action. This is the great news this book carries to those who suffer from alcoholism. Page 17"; Quotation[44] = "An illness of this sort - and we have come to believe it an illness - involves those about us in a way no other human sickness can. Page 18"; Quotation[45] = "None of us makes a sole vocation of this work, nor do we think its effectiveness would be increased if we did. Page 19"; Quotation[46] = "We feel that elimination of our drinking is but a beginning. A much more important demonstration of our principles lies before us in our respective homes, occupations and affairs. Page 19"; Quotation[47] = "Those of us who live in large cities are overcome by the reflection that close by hundreds are dropping into oblivion every day. Many could recover if they had the opportunity we have enjoyed. Page 19"; Quotation[48] = "Our very lives, as ex-problem drinkers, depend upon our constant thought of others and how we may help meet their needs. Page 20"; Quotation[49] = "Opinions vary considerably as to why the alcoholic reacts differently from normal people. We are not sure why, once a certain point is reached, little can be done for him. We cannot answer the riddle. Page 22"; Quotation[50] = "We know that while the alcoholic keeps away from drink, as he may do for months or years, he reacts much like other men. We are equally positive that once he takes any alcohol whatever into his system, something happens, both in the bodily and mental sense, which makes it virtually impossible for him to stop. The experience of any alcoholic will abundantly confirm this. Pages 22-23"; Quotation[51] = "These observations would be academic and pointless if our friend never took the first drink, thereby setting the terrible cycle in motion. Therefore, the main problem of the alcoholic centers in his mind, rather than in his body. Page 23"; Quotation[52] = "Some drinkers have excuses with which they are satisfied part of the time. But in their hearts they really do not know why they do it. Once this malady has a real hold, they are a baffled lot. Page 23"; Quotation[53] = "At a certain point in the drinking of every alcoholic, he passes into a state where the most powerful desire to stop drinking is of absolutely no avail. This tragic situation has already arrived in practically every case long before it is suspected. Page 24"; Quotation[54] = "The fact is that most alcoholics, for reasons yet obscure, have lost the power of choice in drink. Our so-called will power becomes practically nonexistent. Page 24"; Quotation[55] = "We are unable, at certain times, to bring into our consciousness with sufficient force the memory of the suffering and humiliation of even a week or a month ago. We are without defense against the first drink. Page 24"; Quotation[56] = "Almost none of us liked the self-searching, the leveling of our pride, the confession of shortcomings which the process requires for its successful consummation. But we saw that it really worked in others, and we had come to believe in the hopelessness and futility of life as we had been living it. Page 25"; Quotation[57] = "We have found much of heaven and we have been rocketed into a fourth dimension of existence of which we had not even dreamed. Page 25"; Quotation[58] = "The great fact is just this, and nothing less: That we have had deep and effective spiritual experiences which have revolutionized our whole attitude toward life, toward our fellows and toward God's universe. Page 25"; Quotation[59] = "The central fact of our lives today is the absolute certainty that our Creator has entered into our hearts and lives in a way which is indeed miraculous. He has commenced to accomplish those things for us which we could never do by ourselves. Page 25"; Quotation[60] = "If you are as seriously alcoholic as we were, we believe there is no middle-of-the-road solution. Page 25"; Quotation[61] = "We were in a position where life was becoming impossible, and if we had passed into the region from which there is no return through human aid, we had but two alternatives: One was to go on to the bitter end, blotting out the consciousness of our intolerable situation as best we could; and the other, to accept spiritual help. Page 25"; Quotation[62] = "Exceptions to cases such as yours have been occurring since early times. Here and there, once in a while, alcoholics have had what are called vital spiritual experiences. Page 27"; Quotation[63] = "What seemed at first a flimsy reed, has proved to be the loving and powerful hand of God. A new life has been given us or, if you prefer, \"a design for living\" that really works. Page 28"; Quotation[64] = "We have no desire to convince anyone that there is only one way by which faith can be acquired. Page 28"; Quotation[65] = "If what we have learned and felt and seen means anything at all, it means that all of us, whatever our race, creed, or color are the children of a living Creator with whom we may form a relationship upon simple and understandable terms as soon as we are willing and honest enough to try. Page 28"; Quotation[66] = "Most of us have been unwilling to admit we were real alcoholics. No person likes to think he is bodily and mentally different from his fellows. Page 30"; Quotation[67] = "The idea that somehow, someday he will control and enjoy his drinking is the great obsession of every abnormal drinker. The persistence of this illusion is astonishing. Many pursue it into the gates of insanity or death. Page 30"; Quotation[68] = "We learned that we had to fully concede to our innermost selves that we were alcoholics. This is the first step in recovery. Page 30"; Quotation[69] = "The delusion that we are like other people, or presently may be, has to be smashed. Page 30"; Quotation[70] = "We alcoholics are men and women who have lost the ability to control our drinking. We know that no real alcoholic ever recovers control. Page 30"; Quotation[71] = "We are convinced to a man that alcoholics of our type are in the grip of a progressive illness. Over any considerable period we get worse, never better. Page 30"; Quotation[72] = "We are like men who have lost their legs; they never grow new ones. Neither does there appear to be any kind of treatment which will make alcoholics of our kind like other men. We have tried every imaginable remedy. Pages 30-31"; Quotation[73] = "Physicians who are familiar with alcoholism agree there is no such thing as making a normal drinker out of an alcoholic. Science may one day accomplish this, but it hasn't done so yet. Page 31"; Quotation[74] = "If anyone who is showing inability to control his drinking can do the right- about-face and drink like a gentleman, our hats are off to him. Page 31"; Quotation[75] = "We do not like to pronounce any individual as alcoholic, but you can quickly diagnose yourself. Page 31"; Quotation[76] = "We have seen the truth demonstrated again and again: \"Once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic.\" Commencing to drink after a period of sobriety, we are in a short time as bad as ever. Page 33"; Quotation[77] = "If we are planning to stop drinking, there must be no reservation of any kind, nor any lurking notion that someday we will be immune to alcohol. Page 33"; Quotation[78] = "To be gravely affected, one does not necessarily have to drink a long time nor take the quantities some of us have. This is particularly true of women. Page 33"; Quotation[79] = "Whatever the precise definition of the word may be, we call this plain insanity. How can such a lack of proportion, of the ability to think straight, be called anything else? Page 37"; Quotation[80] = "Our behavior is as absurd and incomprehensible with respect to the first drink as that of an individual with a passion, say, for jay-walking. He gets a thrill out of skipping in front of fast-moving vehicles. Page 37"; Quotation[81] = "However intelligent we may have been in other respects, where alcohol has been involved, we have been strangely insane. It's strong language - but isn't it true? Page 38"; Quotation[82] = "But the actual or potential alcoholic, with hardly an exception, will be absolutely unable to stop drinking on the basis of self-knowledge. This is a point we wish to emphasize and re-emphasize, to smash home upon our alcoholic readers as it has been revealed to us out of bitter experience. Page 39"; Quotation[83] = "Quite as important was the discovery that spiritual principles would solve all my problems. Page 42"; Quotation[84] = "The alcoholic at certain times has no effective mental defense against the first drink. Except in a few rare cases, neither he nor any other human being can provide such a defense. His defense must come from a Higher Power. Page 43"; Quotation[85] = "If, when you honestly want to, you find you cannot quit entirely, or if when drinking, you have little control over the amount you take, you are probably alcoholic. If that be the case, you may be suffering from an illness which only a spiritual experience will conquer. Page 44"; Quotation[86] = "To be doomed to an alcoholic death or to live on a spiritual basis are not always easy alternatives to face. Page 44"; Quotation[87] = "But after a while we had to face the fact that we must find a spiritual basis of life - or else. Page 44"; Quotation[88] = "If a mere code of morals or a better philosophy of life were sufficient to overcome alcoholism, many of us would have recovered long ago. But we found that such codes and philosophies did not save us, no matter how much we tried. Pages 44-45"; Quotation[89] = "Lack of power, that was our dilemma. We had to find a power by which we could live, and it had to be a Power greater than ourselves. Page 45"; Quotation[90] = "Let us make haste to reassure you. We found that as soon as we were able to lay aside prejudice and express even a willingness to believe in a Power greater than ourselves, we commenced to get results, even though it was impossible for any of us to fully define or comprehend that Power, which is God. Page 46"; Quotation[91] = "Much to our relief, we discovered we did not need to consider another's conception of God. Our own conception, however inadequate, was sufficient to make the approach and to effect a contact with Him. Page 46"; Quotation[92] = "As soon as we admitted the possible existence of a Creative Intelligence, a Spirit of the Universe underlying the totality of things, we began to be possessed of a new sense of power and direction, provided we took other simple steps. Page 46"; Quotation[93] = "We found that God does not make too hard terms with those who seek Him. Page 46"; Quotation[94] = "To us, the Realm of Spirit is broad, roomy, all inclusive; never exclusive or forbidding to those who earnestly seek. It is open, we believe, to all men. Page 46"; Quotation[95] = "When, therefore, we speak to you of God, we mean your own conception of God. Page 47"; Quotation[96] = "We needed to ask ourselves but one short question. \"Do I now believe, or am I even willing to believe, that there is a Power greater than myself?\" Page 47"; Quotation[97] = "As soon as a man can say that he does believe, or is willing to believe, we emphatically assure him that he is on his way. It has been repeatedly proven among us that upon this simple cornerstone a wonderfully effective spiritual structure can be built. Page 47"; Quotation[98] = "Many of us have been so touchy that even casual reference to spiritual things made us bristle with antagonism. This sort of thinking had to be abandoned. Page 48"; Quotation[99] = "Instead of regarding ourselves as intelligent agents, spearheads of God's ever advancing Creation, we agnostics and atheists chose to believe that our human intelligence was the last word, the alpha and the omega, the beginning and end of all. Rather vain of us, wasn't it? Page 49"; Quotation[100] = "We, who have traveled this dubious path, beg you to lay aside prejudice, even against organized religion. We have learned that whatever the human frailties of various faiths may be, those faiths have given purpose and direction to millions. Page 49"; Quotation[101] = "On one proposition, however, these men and women are strikingly agreed. Every one of them has gained access to, and believes in, a Power greater than himself. This Power has in each case accomplished the miraculous, the humanly impossible. Page 50"; Quotation[102] = "Here are thousands of men and women, worldly indeed. They flatly declare that since they have come to believe in a Power greater than themselves, to take a certain attitude toward that Power, and to do certain simple things, there has been a revolutionary change in their way of living and thinking. Page 50"; Quotation[103] = "When many hundreds of people are able to say that the consciousness of the Presence of God is today the most important fact of their lives, they present a powerful reason why one should have faith. Page 51"; Quotation[104] = "We asked ourselves this: Are not some of us just as biased and unreasonable about the realm of the spirit as were the ancients about the realm of the material? Page 51"; Quotation[105] = "When we saw others solve their problems by a simple reliance upon the Spirit of the Universe, we had to stop doubting the power of God. Our ideas did not work. But the God idea did. Page 52"; Quotation[106] = "Logic is great stuff. We liked it. We still like it. Page 53"; Quotation[107] = "When we became alcoholics, crushed by a self-imposed crisis we could not postpone or evade, we had to fearlessly face the proposition that either God is everything or else He is nothing. Page 53"; Quotation[108] = "God either is, or He isn't. What was our choice to be? Page 53"; Quotation[109] = "Yes, we had been faithful, abjectly faithful to the God of Reason. So, in one way or another, we discovered that faith had been involved all the time! Page 54"; Quotation[110] = "It was impossible to say we had no capacity for faith, or love, or worship. In one form or another we had been living by faith and little else. Page 54"; Quotation[111] = "Imagine life without faith! Were nothing left but pure reason, it wouldn't be life. Page 54"; Quotation[112] = "Hence, we saw that reason isn't everything. Neither is reason, as most of us use it, entirely dependable, though it emanate from our best minds. What about people who proved that man could never fly? Pages 54-55"; Quotation[113] = "Actually we were fooling ourselves, for deep down in every man, woman, and child, is the fundamental idea of God. It may be obscured by calamity, by pomp, by worship of other things, but in some form or other it is there. Page 55"; Quotation[114] = "For faith in a Power greater than ourselves, and miraculous demonstrations of that power in human lives, are facts as old as man himself. Page 55"; Quotation[115] = "We finally saw that faith in some kind of God was a part of our make-up, just as much as the feeling we have for a friend. Sometimes we had to search fearlessly, but He was there. He was as much a fact as we were. Page 55"; Quotation[116] = "If our testimony helps sweep away prejudice, enables you to think honestly, encourages you to search diligently within yourself, then, if you wish, you can join us on the Broad Highway. With this attitude you cannot fail. The consciousness of your belief is sure to come to you. Page 55"; Quotation[117] = "\"Who are you to say there is no God?\" Page 56"; Quotation[118] = "When we drew near to Him He disclosed Himself to us! Page 57"; Quotation[119] = "Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path. Page 58"; Quotation[120] = "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. Page 58"; Quotation[121] = "If you have decided you want what we have and are willing to go to any length to get it-then you are ready to take certain steps. Page 58"; Quotation[122] = "With all the earnestness at our command, we beg of you to be fearless and thorough from the very start. Page 58"; Quotation[123] = "Some of us have tried to hold on to our old ideas and the result was nil until we let go absolutely. Page 58"; Quotation[124] = "Remember that we deal with alcohol-cunning, baffling, powerful! Without help it is too much for us. Pages 58-59"; Quotation[125] = "Half measures availed us nothing. Page 59"; Quotation[126] = "We asked His protection and care with complete abandon. Page 59"; Quotation[127] = "No one among us has been able to maintain anything like perfect adherence to these principles. We are not saints. Page 60"; Quotation[128] = "The point is, that we are willing to grow along spiritual lines. Page 60"; Quotation[129] = "The principles we have set down are guides to progress. We claim spiritual progress rather than spiritual perfection. Page 60"; Quotation[130] = "(c) That God could and would if He were sought. Page 60"; Quotation[131] = "Being convinced, we were at Step Three, which is that we decided to turn our will and our life over to God as we understood Him. Page 60"; Quotation[132] = "The first requirement is that we be convinced that any life run on self-will can hardly be a success. Page 60"; Quotation[133] = "Selfishness - self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles. Page 62"; Quotation[134] = "So our troubles, we think, are basically of our own making. They arise out of ourselves, and the alcoholic is an extreme example of self-will run riot, though he usually doesn't think so. Page 62"; Quotation[135] = "Above everything, we alcoholics must be rid of this selfishness. We must, or it kills us! God makes that possible. Page 62"; Quotation[136] = "Many of us had moral and philosophical convictions galore, but we could not live up to them even though we would have liked to. Page 62"; Quotation[137] = "Neither could we reduce our self-centeredness much by wishing or trying on our own power. We had to have God's help. Page 62"; Quotation[138] = "First of all, we had to quit playing God. It didn't work. Page 62"; Quotation[139] = "Next, we decided that hereafter in this drama of life, God was going to be our Director. Page 62"; Quotation[140] = "We had a new Employer. Being all powerful, He provided what we needed, if we kept close to Him and performed His work well. Page 63"; Quotation[141] = "We were reborn. Page 63"; Quotation[142] = "Though our decision was a vital and crucial step, it could have little permanent effect unless at once followed by a strenuous effort to face, and to be rid of, the things in ourselves which had been blocking us. Our liquor was but a symptom. So we had to get down to causes and conditions. Page 64"; Quotation[143] = "We took stock honestly. First, we searched out the flaws in our make-up which caused our failure. Being convinced that self, manifested in various ways, was what had defeated us, we considered its common manifestations. Page 64"; Quotation[144] = "Resentment is the \"number one\" offender. It destroys more alcoholics than anything else. Page 64"; Quotation[145] = "When the spiritual malady is overcome, we straighten out mentally and physically. Page 64"; Quotation[146] = "In dealing with resentments, we set them on paper. We listed people, institutions or principles with whom we were angry. We asked ourselves why we were angry. In most cases it was found that our self-esteem, our pocketbooks, our ambitions, our personal relationships (including sex) were hurt or threatened. Pages 64-65"; Quotation[147] = "We went back through our lives. Nothing counted but thoroughness and honesty. Page 65"; Quotation[148] = "It is plain that a life which includes deep resentment leads only to futility and unhappiness. To the precise extent that we permit these, do we squander the hours that might have been worth while. Page 66"; Quotation[149] = "But with the alcoholic, whose hope is the maintenance and growth of a spiritual experience, this business of resentment is infinitely grave. We found that it is fatal. Page 66"; Quotation[150] = "And with us, to drink is to die. Page 66"; Quotation[151] = "If we were to live, we had to be free of anger. Page 66"; Quotation[152] = "The grouch and the brainstorm were not for us. They may be the dubious luxury of normal men, but for alcoholics these things are poison. Page 66"; Quotation[153] = "We began to see that the world and its people really dominated us. In that state, the wrong-doing of others, fancied or real, had power to actually kill. Page 66"; Quotation[154] = "This was our course: We realized that the people who wronged us were perhaps spiritually sick. Page 66"; Quotation[155] = "When a person offended we said to ourselves, \"This is a sick man. How can I be helpful to him? God save me from being angry. Thy will be done.\" Page 67"; Quotation[156] = "We cannot be helpful to all people, but at least God will show us how to take a kindly and tolerant view of each and every one. Page 67"; Quotation[157] = "When we saw our faults we listed them. We placed them before us in black and white. We admitted our wrongs honestly and were willing to set these matters straight. Page 67"; Quotation[158] = "Sometimes we think fear ought to be classed with stealing. It seems to cause more trouble. Pages 67-68"; Quotation[159] = "We reviewed our fears thoroughly. We put them on paper, even though we had no resentment in connection with them. We asked ourselves why we had them. Wasn't it because self-reliance failed us? Page 68"; Quotation[160] = "For we are now on a different basis; the basis of trusting and relying upon God. We trust infinite God rather than our finite selves. Page 68"; Quotation[161] = "We are in the world to play the role He assigns. Just to the extent that we do as we think He would have us, and humbly rely on Him, does He enable us to match calamity with serenity. Page 68"; Quotation[162] = "We never apologize to anyone for depending upon our Creator. Page 68"; Quotation[163] = "We can laugh at those who think spirituality the way of weakness. Paradoxically, it is the way of strength. Page 68"; Quotation[164] = "The verdict of the ages is that faith means courage. Page 68"; Quotation[165] = "All men of faith have courage. They trust their God. Page 68"; Quotation[166] = "We never apologize for God. Instead we let Him demonstrate, through us, what He can do. Page 68"; Quotation[167] = "We ask Him to remove our fear and direct our attention to what He would have us be. At once, we commence to outgrow fear. Page 68"; Quotation[168] = "We want to stay out of this controversy. We do not want to be the arbiter of anyone's sex conduct. We all have sex problems. We'd hardly be human if we didn't. Page 69"; Quotation[169] = "We subjected each relation to this test - was it selfish or not? We asked God to mold our ideals and help us to live up to them. Page 69"; Quotation[170] = "We remembered always that our sex powers were God-given and therefore good, neither to be used lightly or selfishly nor to be despised and loathed. Page 69"; Quotation[171] = "We must be willing to make amends where we have done harm, provided that we do not bring about still more harm in so doing. Page 69"; Quotation[172] = "In other words, we treat sex as we would any other problem. In meditation, we ask God what we should do about each specific matter. The right answer will come, if we want it. Page 69"; Quotation[173] = "Suppose we fall short of the chosen ideal and stumble? Does this mean we are going to get drunk? Some people tell us so. But this is only a half-truth. It depends on us and on our motives. Page 70"; Quotation[174] = "If we are sorry for what we have done, and have the honest desire to let God take us to better things, we believe we will be forgiven and will have learned our lesson. If we are not sorry, and our conduct continues to harm others, we are quite sure to drink. We are not theorizing. These are facts out of our experience. Page 70"; Quotation[175] = "If sex is very troublesome, we throw ourselves the harder into helping others. We think of their needs and work for them. This takes us out of ourselves. It quiets the imperious urge, when to yield would mean heartache. Page 70"; Quotation[176] = "We will be more reconciled to discussing ourselves with another person when we see good reasons why we should do so. The best reason first: If we skip this vital step, we may not overcome drinking. Page 72"; Quotation[177] = "Time after time newcomers have tried to keep to themselves certain facts about their lives. Trying to avoid this humbling experience, they have turned to easier methods. Almost invariably they got drunk. Pages 72-73"; Quotation[178] = "More than most people, the alcoholic leads a double life. He is very much the actor. Page 73"; Quotation[179] = "We must be entirely honest with somebody if we expect to live long or happily in this world. Pages 73-74"; Quotation[180] = "...we cannot disclose anything to our wives or our parents which will hurt them and make them unhappy. Page 74"; Quotation[181] = "We have no right to save our own skin at another person's expense. Such parts of our story we tell to someone who will understand, yet be unaffected. Page 74"; Quotation[182] = "The rule is we must be hard on ourself, but always considerate of others. Page 74"; Quotation[183] = "We have emphasized willingness as being indispensable. Are we now ready to let God remove from us all the things which we have admitted are objectionable? Page 76"; Quotation[184] = "If we still cling to something we will not let go, we ask God to help us be willing. Page 76"; Quotation[185] = "We attempt to sweep away the debris which has accumulated out of our effort to live on self-will and run the show ourselves. If we haven't the will to do this, we ask until it comes. Page 76"; Quotation[186] = "Remember it was agreed at the beginning we would go to any lengths for victory over alcohol. Page 76"; Quotation[187] = "At the moment we are trying to put our lives in order. But this is not an end in itself. Our real purpose is to fit ourselves to be of maximum service to God and the people about us. Page 77"; Quotation[188] = "It is seldom wise to approach an individual, who still smarts from our injustice to him, and announce that we have gone religious. In the prize ring, this would be called leading with the chin. Why lay ourselves open to being branded fanatics or religious bores? Page 77"; Quotation[189] = "It is harder to go to an enemy than to a friend, but we find it much more beneficial to us. We go to him in a helpful and forgiving spirit, confessing our former ill feeling and expressing our regret. Page 77"; Quotation[190] = "Most alcoholics owe money. We do not dodge our creditors. Page 78"; Quotation[191] = "We must lose our fear of creditors no matter how far we have to go, for we are liable to drink if we are afraid to face them. Page 78"; Quotation[192] = "Reminding ourselves that we have decided to go to any lengths to find a spiritual experience, we ask that we be given strength and direction to do the right thing, no matter what the personal consequences may be. Page 79"; Quotation[193] = "Usually, however, other people are involved. Therefore, we are not to be the hasty and foolish martyr who would needlessly sacrifice others to save himself from the alcoholic pit. Page 79"; Quotation[194] = "Our design for living is not a one-way street. It is as good for the wife as for the husband. Page 81"; Quotation[195] = "Sometimes we hear an alcoholic say that the only thing he needs to do is to keep sober. Certainly he must keep sober, for there will be no home if he doesn't. But he is yet a long way from making good to the wife or parents whom for years he has so shockingly treated. Page 82"; Quotation[196] = "Passing all understanding is the patience mothers and wives have had with alcoholics. Had this not been so, many of us would have no homes today, would perhaps be dead. Page 82"; Quotation[197] = "A remorseful mumbling that we are sorry won't fill the bill at all. We ought to sit down with the family and frankly analyze the past as we now see it, being very careful not to criticize them. Page 83"; Quotation[198] = "So we clean house with the family, asking each morning in meditation that our Creator show us the way of patience, tolerance, kindliness and love. Page 83"; Quotation[199] = "The spiritual life is not a theory. We have to live it. Page 83"; Quotation[200] = "Unless one's family expresses a desire to live upon spiritual principles we think we ought not to urge them. We should not talk incessantly to them about spiritual matters. They will change in time. Our behavior will convince them more than our words. We must remember that ten or twenty years of drunkenness would make a skeptic out of anyone. Page 83"; Quotation[201] = "There may be some wrongs we can never fully right. We don't worry about them if we can honestly say to ourselves that we would right them if we could. Page 83"; Quotation[202] = "We should be sensible, tactful, considerate and humble without being servile or scraping. As God's people we stand on our feet; we don't crawl before anyone. Page 83"; Quotation[203] = "We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. Page 83"; Quotation[204] = "No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others. Page 84"; Quotation[205] = "We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows. Page 84"; Quotation[206] = "Self-seeking will slip away. Page 84"; Quotation[207] = "Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change. Page 84"; Quotation[208] = "Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us. Page 84"; Quotation[209] = "We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us. Page 84"; Quotation[210] = "We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves. Page 84"; Quotation[211] = "Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled among us - sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. They will always materialize if we work for them. Page 84"; Quotation[212] = "This thought brings us to Step Ten, which suggests we continue to take personal inventory and continue to set right any new mistakes as we go along. We vigorously commenced this way of living as we cleaned up the past. We have entered the world of the Spirit. Page 84"; Quotation[213] = "Our next function is to grow in understanding and effectiveness. This is not an overnight matter. It should continue for our lifetime. Page 84"; Quotation[214] = "Continue to watch for selfishness, dishonesty, resentment, and fear. When these crop up, we ask God at once to remove them. Page 84"; Quotation[215] = "Love and tolerance of others is our code. Page 84"; Quotation[216] = "And we have ceased fighting anything or anyone - even alcohol. Page 84"; Quotation[217] = "We will seldom be interested in liquor. If tempted, we recoil from it as from a hot flame. Page 84"; Quotation[218] = "We will see that our new attitude toward liquor has been given us without any thought or effort on our part. It just comes! Page 85"; Quotation[219] = "We feel as though we had been placed in a position of neutrality - safe and protected. We have not even sworn off. Instead, the problem has been removed. It does not exist for us. We are neither cocky nor are we afraid. That is our experience. That is how we react so long as we keep in fit spiritual condition. Page 85"; Quotation[220] = "It is easy to let up on the spiritual program of action and rest on our laurels. We are headed for trouble if we do, for alcohol is a subtle foe. Page 85"; Quotation[221] = "We are not cured of alcoholism. What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition. Page 85"; Quotation[222] = "Every day is a day when we must carry the vision of God's will into all of our activities. \"How can I best serve Thee - Thy will (not mine) be done.\" These are thoughts which must go with us constantly. We can exercise our will power along this line all we wish. It is the proper use of the will. Page 85"; Quotation[223] = "If we have carefully followed directions, we have begun to sense the flow of His Spirit into us. Page 85"; Quotation[224] = "Step Eleven suggests prayer and meditation. We shouldn't be shy on this matter of prayer. Page 85"; Quotation[225] = "When we retire at night, we constructively review our day. Page 86"; Quotation[226] = "On awakening let us think about the twenty-four hours ahead. We consider our plans for the day. Before we begin, we ask God to direct our thinking, especially asking that it be divorced from self-pity, dishonest or self-seeking motives. Page 86"; Quotation[227] = "Our thought-life will be placed on a much higher plane when our thinking is cleared of wrong motives. Page 86"; Quotation[228] = "In thinking about our day we may face indecision. We may not be able to determine which course to take. Here we ask God for inspiration, an intuitive thought or a decision. We relax and take it easy. We don't struggle. We are often surprised how the right answers come after we have tried this for a while. Page 86"; Quotation[229] = "Being still inexperienced and having just made conscious contact with God, it is not probable that we are going to be inspired at all times. We might pay for this presumption in all sorts of absurd actions and ideas. Nevertheless, we find that our thinking will, as time passes, be more and more on the plane of inspiration. We come to rely upon it. Page 87"; Quotation[230] = "We usually conclude the period of meditation with a prayer that we be shown all through the day what our next step is to be, that we be given whatever we need to take care of such problems. Page 87"; Quotation[231] = "We are careful never to pray for our own selfish ends. Many of us have wasted a lot of time doing that and it doesn't work. Page 87"; Quotation[232] = "As we go through the day we pause, when agitated or doubtful, and ask for the right thought or action. We constantly remind ourselves we are no longer running the show, humbly saying to ourselves many times each day \"Thy will be done.\" Pages 87-88"; Quotation[233] = "\"Faith without works is dead.\" Page 88"; Quotation[234] = "Practical experience shows that nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking as intensive work with other alcoholics. It works when other activities fail. Page 89"; Quotation[235] = "Carry this message to other alcoholics! You can help when no one else can. Page 89"; Quotation[236] = "To watch people recover, to see them help others, to watch loneliness vanish, to see a fellowship grow up about you, to have a host of friends - this is an experience you must not miss. Page 89"; Quotation[237] = "To be helpful is our only aim. Page 89"; Quotation[238] = "When you discover a prospect for Alcoholics Anonymous, find out all you can about him. If he does not want to stop drinking, don't waste time trying to persuade him. Page 90"; Quotation[239] = "Continue to speak of alcoholism as an illness, a fatal malady. Page 92"; Quotation[240] = "We have no monopoly on God; we merely have an approach that worked with us. Page 95"; Quotation[241] = "We find it a waste of time to keep chasing a man who cannot or will not work with you. Page 96"; Quotation[242] = "Helping others is the foundation stone of your recovery. A kindly act once in a while isn't enough. Page 97"; Quotation[243] = "We seldom allow an alcoholic to live in our homes for long at a time. It is not good for him, and it sometimes creates serious complications in a family. Page 97"; Quotation[244] = "Though an alcoholic does not respond, there is no reason why you should neglect his family. You should continue to be friendly to them. The family should be offered your way of life. Page 97"; Quotation[245] = "For the type of alcoholic who is able and willing to get well, little charity, in the ordinary sense of the word, is needed or wanted. The men who cry for money and shelter before conquering alcohol, are on the wrong track. Pages 97-98"; Quotation[246] = "Some of us have taken very hard knocks to learn this truth: Job or no job - wife or no wife - we simply do not stop drinking so long as we place dependence upon other people ahead of dependence on God. Page 98"; Quotation[247] = "Burn the idea into the consciousness of every man that he can get well regardless of anyone. The only condition is that he trust in God and clean house. Page 98"; Quotation[248] = "Argument and fault-finding are to be avoided like the plague. Page 98"; Quotation[249] = "Sometimes it is to the best interest of all concerned that a couple remain apart. Obviously, no rule can be laid down. Let the alcoholic continue his program day by day. When the time for living together has come, it will be apparent to both parties. Page 99"; Quotation[250] = "Let no alcoholic say he cannot recover unless he has his family back. This just isn't so. Page 99"; Quotation[251] = "Remind the prospect that his recovery is not dependent upon people. It is dependent upon his relationship with God. Pages 99-100"; Quotation[252] = "When we look back, we realize that the things which came to us when we put ourselves in God's hands were better than anything we could have planned. Page 100"; Quotation[253] = "Follow the dictates of a Higher Power and you will presently live in a new and wonderful world, no matter what your present circumstances! Page 100"; Quotation[254] = "When working with a man and his family, you should take care not to participate in their quarrels. You may spoil your chance of being helpful if you do. Page 100"; Quotation[255] = "If you have been successful in solving your own domestic problems, tell the newcomer's family how that was accomplished. In this way you can set them on the right track without becoming critical of them. Page 100"; Quotation[256] = "Assuming we are spiritually fit, we can do all sorts of things alcoholics are not supposed to do. Page 100"; Quotation[257] = "In our belief any scheme of combating alcoholism which proposes to shield the sick man from temptation is doomed to failure. Page 101"; Quotation[258] = "So our rule is not to avoid a place where there is drinking, if we have a legitimate reason for being there. That includes bars, nightclubs, dances, receptions, weddings, even plain ordinary whoopee parties. Page 101"; Quotation[259] = "Let your friends know they are not to change their habits on your account. At a proper time and place explain to all your friends why alcohol disagrees with you. If you do this thoroughly, few people will ask you to drink. Page 102"; Quotation[260] = "While you were drinking, you were withdrawing from life little by little. Now you are getting back into the social life of this world. Don't start to withdraw again just because your friends drink liquor. Page 102"; Quotation[261] = "Your job now is to be at the place where you may be of maximum helpfulness to others, so never hesitate to go anywhere if you can be helpful. You should not hesitate to visit the most sordid spot on earth on such an errand. Keep on the firing line of life with these motives and God will keep you unharmed. Page 102"; Quotation[262] = "Many of us keep liquor in our homes. We often need it to carry green recruits through a severe hangover Some of us still serve it to our friends provided they are not alcoholic. But some of us think we should not serve liquor to anyone. We never argue this question. Page 102"; Quotation[263] = "We are careful never to show intolerance or hatred of drinking as an institution. Experience shows that such an attitude is not helpful to anyone. Page 103"; Quotation[264] = "Some day we hope that Alcoholics Anonymous will help the public to a better realization of the gravity of the alcoholic problem, but we shall be of little use if our attitude is one of bitterness or hostility. Drinkers will not stand for it. Page 103"; Quotation[265] = "After all, our problems were of our own making. Bottles were only a symbol. Page 103"; Quotation[266] = "Besides, we have stopped fighting anybody or anything. We have to! Page 103"; Quotation[267] = "Try not to condemn your alcoholic husband no matter what he says or does. He is just another very sick, unreasonable person. Treat him, when you can, as though he had pneumonia. When he angers you, remember that he is very ill. Page 108"; Quotation[268] = "The first principle of success is that you should never be angry. Even though your husband becomes unbearable and you have to leave him temporarily, you should, if you can, go without rancor. Patience and good temper are most necessary. Page 111"; Quotation[269] = "It is possible to have a full and useful life, though your husband continues to drink. We know women who are unafraid, even happy under these conditions. Page 111"; Quotation[270] = "Do not set your heart on reforming your husband. You may be unable to do so, no matter how hard you try. Page 111"; Quotation[271] = "Some men have been so impaired by alcohol that they cannot stop. Sometimes there are cases where alcoholism is complicated by other disorders. A good doctor or psychiatrist can tell you whether these complications are serious. Page 114"; Quotation[272] = "For years we have been working with alcoholics committed to institutions. Since this book was first published, A.A. has released thousands of alcoholics from asylums and hospitals of every kind. The majority have never returned. The power of God goes deep! Page 114"; Quotation[273] = "Some men cannot or will not get over alcoholism. When they become too dangerous, we think the kind thing is to lock them up, but of course a good doctor should always be consulted. Page 114"; Quotation[274] = "Unless they actually need protection from their father, it is best not to take sides in any argument he has with them while drinking. Page 115"; Quotation[275] = "We thought, on the whole, we were pretty good women, capable of being nicer if our husbands stopped drinking. But it was a silly idea that we were too good to need God. Page 116"; Quotation[276] = "The faith and sincerity of both you and your husband will be put to the test. These work-outs should be regarded as part of your education, for thus you will be learning to live. Page 117"; Quotation[277] = "You will make mistakes, but if you are in earnest they will not drag you down. Instead, you will capitalize them. A better way of life will emerge when they are overcome. Page 117"; Quotation[278] = "We never, never try to arrange a man's life so as to shield him from temptation. Page 120"; Quotation[279] = "All members of the family should meet upon the common ground of tolerance, understanding and love. This involves a process of deflation. Page 122"; Quotation[280] = "Cessation of drinking is but the first step away from a highly strained, abnormal condition. Page 122"; Quotation[281] = "A doctor said to us,\" Years of living with an alcoholic is almost sure to make any wife or child neurotic. The entire family is, to some extent, ill.\" Page 122"; Quotation[282] = "It will take time to clear away the wreck. Page 123"; Quotation[283] = "The family may be possessed by the idea that future happiness can be based only upon forgetfulness of the past. We think that such a view is self-centered and in direct conflict with the new way of living. Pages 123-124"; Quotation[284] = "We grow by our willingness to face and rectify errors and convert them into assets. Page 124"; Quotation[285] = "We think each family which has been relieved owes something to those who have not, and when the occasion requires, each member of it should be only too willing to bring former mistakes, no matter how grievous, out of their hiding places. Page 124"; Quotation[286] = "Showing others who suffer how we were given help is the very thing which makes life seem so worth while to us now. Page 124"; Quotation[287] = "Cling to the thought that, in God's hands, the dark past is the greatest possession you have - the key to life and happiness for others. With it you can avert death and misery for them. Page 124"; Quotation[288] = "So we think that unless some good and useful purpose is to be served, past occurrences should not be discussed. Page 125"; Quotation[289] = "We do talk about each other a great deal, but we almost invariably temper such talk by a spirit of love and tolerance. Page 125"; Quotation[290] = "Another principle we observe carefully is that we do not relate intimate experiences of another person unless we are sure he would approve. We find it better, when possible, to stick to our own stories. Page 125"; Quotation[291] = "We alcoholics are sensitive people. It takes some of us a long time to outgrow that serious handicap. Page 125"; Quotation[292] = "The head of the house ought to remember that he is mainly to blame for what befell his home. He can scarcely square the account in his lifetime. Page 127"; Quotation[293] = "Although financial recovery is on the way for many of us, we found we could not place money first. Page 127"; Quotation[294] = "For us, material well-being always followed spiritual progress; it never preceded. Page 127"; Quotation[295] = "We know there are difficult wives and families, but the man who is getting over alcoholism must remember he did much to make them so. Page 127"; Quotation[296] = "Giving, rather than getting, will become the guiding principle. Page 128"; Quotation[297] = "Those of us who have spent much time in the world of spiritual make-believe have eventually seen the childishness of it. This dream world has been replaced by a great sense of purpose, accompanied by a growing consciousness of the power of God in our lives. Page 130"; Quotation[298] = "We have come to believe He would like us to keep our heads in the clouds with Him, but that our feet ought to be firmly planted on earth. That is where our fellow travelers are, and that is where our work must be done. These are the realities for us. Page 130"; Quotation[299] = "We have found nothing incompatible between a powerful spiritual experience and a life of sane and happy usefulness. Page 130"; Quotation[300] = "One more suggestion: Whether the family has spiritual convictions or not, they may do well to examine the principles by which the alcoholic member is trying to live. Page 130"; Quotation[301] = "Nothing will help the man who is off on a spiritual tangent so much as the wife who adopts a sane spiritual program, making a better practical use of it. Page 130"; Quotation[302] = "At the very beginning, the couple ought to frankly face the fact that each will have to yield here and there if the family is going to play an effective part in the new life. Father will necessarily spend much time with other alcoholics, but this activity should be balanced. Page 131"; Quotation[303] = "Alcoholics who have derided religious people will be helped by such contacts. Being possessed of a spiritual experience, the alcoholic will find he has much in common with these people, though he may differ with them on many matters. If he does not argue about religion, he will make new friends and is sure to find new avenues of usefulness and pleasure. Page 132"; Quotation[304] = "We have been dealing with alcohol in its worst aspect. But we aren't a glum lot. Page 132"; Quotation[305] = "If newcomers could see no joy or fun in our existence, they wouldn't want it. We absolutely insist on enjoying life. Page 132"; Quotation[306] = "We try not to indulge in cynicism over the state of the nations, nor do we carry the world's troubles on our shoulders. Page 132"; Quotation[307] = "So we think cheerfulness and laughter make for usefulness. Outsiders are sometimes shocked when we burst into merriment over a seemingly tragic experience out of the past. But why shouldn't we laugh? We have recovered, and have been given the power to help others. Page 132"; Quotation[308] = "We are sure God wants us to be happy, joyous, and free. We cannot subscribe to the belief that this life is a vale of tears, though it once was just that for many of us. Page 133"; Quotation[309] = "But it is clear that we made our own misery. God didn't do it. Avoid then, the deliberate manufacture of misery, but if trouble comes, cheerfully capitalize it as an opportunity to demonstrate His omnipotence. Page 133"; Quotation[310] = "Now about health: A body badly burned by alcohol does not often recover overnight nor do twisted thinking and depression vanish in a twinkling. Page 133"; Quotation[311] = "We are convinced that a spiritual mode of living is a most powerful health restorative. We, who have recovered from serious drinking, are miracles of mental health. But we have seen remarkable transformations in our bodies. Page 133"; Quotation[312] = "God has abundantly supplied this world with fine doctors, psychologists, and practitioners of various kinds. Do not hesitate to take your health problems to such persons. Page 133"; Quotation[313] = "Many of us have noticed a tendency to eat sweets and have found this practice beneficial. Page 134"; Quotation[314] = "Whether the family goes on a spiritual basis or not, the alcoholic member has to if he would recover. Page 135"; Quotation[315] = "First Things First Page 135"; Quotation[316] = "Live and Let Live Page 135"; Quotation[317] = "Easy Does It. Page 135"; Quotation[318] = "When dealing with an alcoholic, there may be a natural annoyance that a man could be so weak, stupid and irresponsible. Even when you understand the malady better, you may feel this feeling rising. Page 139"; Quotation[319] = "This is not to say that all alcoholics are honest and upright when not drinking. Of course that isn't so, and such people often may impose on you. Seeing your attempt to understand and help, some men will try to take advantage of your kindness. Page 141"; Quotation[320] = "If he says yes, does he really mean it, or down inside does he think he is fooling you, and that after rest and treatment he will be able to get away with a few drinks now and then? We believe a man should be thoroughly probed on these points. Be satisfied he is not deceiving himself or you. Page 142"; Quotation[321] = "Either you are dealing with a man who can and will get well or you are not. If not, why waste time with him? This may seem severe, but it is usually the best course. Page 142"; Quotation[322] = "For most alcoholics who are drinking, or who are just getting over a spree, a certain amount of physical treatment is desirable, even imperative. Pages 142-143"; Quotation[323] = "To get over drinking will require a transformation of thought and attitude. Page 143"; Quotation[324] = "We all had to place recovery above everything, for without recovery we would have lost both home and business. Page 143"; Quotation[325] = "By no means do we offer it as the last word on this subject, but so far as we are concerned, it has worked with us. After all, are you not looking for results rather than methods? Page 144"; Quotation[326] = "When the man is presented with this volume it is best that no one tell him he must abide by its suggestions. The man must decide for himself. Page 144"; Quotation[327] = "The greatest enemies of us alcoholics are resentment, jealousy, envy, frustration, and fear. Page 145"; Quotation[328] = "Sometimes we alcoholics have an idea that people are trying to pull us down. Often this is not so at all. Page 145"; Quotation[329] = "An alcoholic who has recovered, but holds a relatively unimportant job, can talk to a man with a better position. Being on a radically different basis of life, he will never take advantage of the situation. Page 146"; Quotation[330] = "If you are an alcoholic, you are a mighty sick man. Page 147"; Quotation[331] = "It boils right down to this: No man should be fired just because he is alcoholic. If he wants to stop, he should be afforded a real chance. If he cannot or does not want to stop, he should be discharged. The exceptions are few. Page 148"; Quotation[332] = "Yes, there is a substitute and it is vastly more than that. It is a fellowship in Alcoholics Anonymous. There you will find release from care, boredom and worry. Your imagination will be fired. Life will mean something at last. The most satisfactory years of your existence lie ahead. Thus we find the fellowship, and so will you. Page 152"; Quotation[333] = "Near you, alcoholics are dying helplessly like people in a sinking ship. If you live in a large place, there are hundreds. High and low, rich and poor, these are future fellows of Alcoholics Anonymous. Among them you will make lifelong friends. Page 152"; Quotation[334] = "You will learn the full meaning of \"Love thy neighbor as thyself.\" Page 153"; Quotation[335] = "The practical answer is that since these things have happened among us, they can happen with you. Should you wish them above all else, and be willing to make use of our experience, we are sure they will come. Page 153"; Quotation[336] = "The age of miracles is still with us. Our own recovery proves that! Page 153"; Quotation[337] = "Again it was the old, insidious insanity - that first drink. With a shiver, he turned away and walked down the lobby to the church directory. Page 154"; Quotation[338] = "\"God ought to be able to do anything.\" Page 158"; Quotation[339] = "So, you see, there were three alcoholics in that town, who now felt they had to give to others what they had found, or be sunk. After several failures to find others, a fourth turned up. Page 158"; Quotation[340] = "These men had found something brand new in life. Though they knew they must help other alcoholics if they would remain sober, that motive became secondary. It was transcended by the happiness they found in giving themselves for others. Page 159"; Quotation[341] = "In addition to these casual get-togethers, it became customary to set apart one night a week for a meeting to be attended by anyone or everyone interested in a spiritual way of life. Aside from fellowship and sociability, the prime object was to provide a time and place where new people might bring their problems. Pages 159-160"; Quotation[342] = "But life among Alcoholics Anonymous is more than attending gatherings and visiting hospitals. Cleaning up old scrapes, helping to settle family differences, explaining the disinherited son to his irate parents, lending money and securing jobs for each other, when justified - these are everyday occurrences. Page 161"; Quotation[343] = "No one is too discredited or has sunk too low to be welcomed cordially - if he means business. Page 161"; Quotation[344] = "Being wrecked in the same vessel, being restored and united under one God, with hearts and minds attuned to the welfare of others, the things which matter so much to some people no longer signify much to them. How could they? Page 161"; Quotation[345] = "Some day we hope that every alcoholic who journeys will find a Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous at his destination. To some extent this is already true. Page 162"; Quotation[346] = "Thus we grow. And so can you, though you be but one man with this book in your hand. We believe and hope it contains all you will need to begin. Pages 162-163"; Quotation[347] = "You forget that you have just now tapped a source of power much greater than yourself. To duplicate, with such backing, what we have accomplished is only a matter of willingness, patience and labor. Page 163"; Quotation[348] = "Our book is meant to be suggestive only. We realize we know only a little. Page 164"; Quotation[349] = "God will constantly disclose more to you and to us. Ask Him in your morning meditation what you can do each day for the man who is still sick. The answers will come, if your own house is in order. But obviously you cannot transmit something you haven't got. Page 164"; Quotation[350] = "See to it that your relationship with Him is right, and great events will come to pass for you and countless others. This is the Great Fact for us. Page 164"; Quotation[351] = "Abandon yourself to God as you understand God. Admit your faults to Him and to your fellows. Clear away the wreckage of your past. Give freely of what you find and join us. We shall be with you in the Fellowship of the Spirit, and you will surely meet some of us as you trudge the Road of Happy Destiny. Page 164"; // ====================================== // Do not change anything below this line // ====================================== var Q = Quotation.length; var whichQuotation=Math.round(Math.random()*(Q-1)); function showQuotation(){document.write(Quotation[whichQuotation]);} showQuotation();