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such as these take the First Step?
By going back in our own drinking histories, we showed
them that years before we realized it we were out of control,
that our drinking even then was no mere habit, that it was
indeed the beginning of a fatal progression.
TWELVE AND TWELVE, P. 23
Greater than Ourselves
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.
We could wish to be moral, we could wish to be
philosophically comforted, in fact, we could will these things
with all our might, but the power needed for change wasn't
there. Our human resources, as marshalled by the will, were
not sufficient; they failed utterly.
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.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, PP.44-45
Our Protective Mantle
Almost every newspaper reporter who covers A.A.
complains, at first, of the difficulty of writing his story
without names. But he quickly forgets this difficulty when he
realizes that here is a group of people who care nothing for
acclaim.
Probably this is the first time in his life he has ever reported
on an organization that wants no personalized publicity.
Cynic though he may be, this obvious sincerity quickly
transforms him into a friend of A.A.
Moved by the spirit of anonymity, we try to give up our
natural desires for personal distinction as A.A. members,
both among fellow alcoholics and before the general public.
As we lay aside these very human aspirations, we believe
that each of us takes part in the weaving of a protective
mantle which covers our whole Society and under which we
may grow and work in unity.
Vision Beyond Today
Vision is, I think, the ability to make good estimates, both for
the immediate and for the more distant future. Some might
feel this sort of striving to be heresy against "One day at a
time." But that valuable principle really refers to our mental
and emotional lives and means chiefly that we are not
foolishly to repine over the past nor wishfully to daydream
about the future.
As individuals and as a fellowship, we shall surely suffer if
we cast the whole job of planning for tomorrow onto a
fatuous idea of providence. God's real providence has
endowed us human beings with a considerable capability for
foresight, and He evidently expects us to use it. Of course,
we shall often miscalculate the future in whole or in part, but
that is better than to refuse to think at all.
TWELVE CONCEPTS, P. 43
Forgiveness
Through the vital Fifth Step, we began to get the feeling that
we could be forgiven, no matter what we had thought or
done.
Often it was while working on this Step with our sponsors or
spiritual advisers that we first felt truly able to forgive others,
no matter how deeply we felt they had wronged us.
Our moral inventory had persuaded us that allround
forgiveness was desirable, but it was only when we
resolutely tackled Step Five that we inwardly knew we'd be
able to receive forgiveness and give it, too.
TWELVE AND TWELVE, P. 57-58
Two Authorities
Many people wonder how A.A. can function under a seeming
anarchy. Other societies have to have law and force and
sanction and punishment, administered by authorized
people. Happily for us, we found that we need no human
authorities which are far more effective. One is benign, the
other malign.
There is God, our Father, who very simply says, "I am waiting
for you to do my will." The other authority is named John
Barlicorn, and he says, "You had better do God's will or I will
kill you."
The A.A. Traditions are neither rules, regulations, nor laws.
We obey them willingly because we want to. Perhaps the
secret of their power lies in the fact that these life-giving
communications spring out of living experience and are
rooted in love.
Running the Whole Show
Most people try to live by self-propulsion. Each person is like
an actor who wants to run the whole show and is forever
trying to arrange the lights, the scenery and the rest of the
players in his own way. If his arrangements would only stay
put, if only people would do as he wished, the show would be
great.
What usually happens? The show doesn't come off very well.
Admitting he may be somewhat at fault, he is sure that other
people are more to blame. He becomes angry, indignant, selfpitying.
Is he not really a self-seeker even when trying to be useful?
Is he not a victim of the delusion that he can wrest
satisfaction and happiness out of this world if only he
manages well?
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, PP. 60-61
Results of Prayer
As the doubter tries the process of prayer, he should begin
to add up the results. If he persists, he will almost surely find
more serenity, more tolerance, less fear, and less anger. He

such as these take the First Step?

By going back in our own drinking histories, we showed

them that years before we realized it we were out of control,

that our drinking even then was no mere habit, that it was

indeed the beginning of a fatal progression.

TWELVE AND TWELVE, P. 23

Greater than Ourselves

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.

We could wish to be moral, we could wish to be

philosophically comforted, in fact, we could will these things

with all our might, but the power needed for change wasn't

there. Our human resources, as marshalled by the will, were

not sufficient; they failed utterly.

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.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, PP.44-45

Our Protective Mantle

Almost every newspaper reporter who covers A.A.

complains, at first, of the difficulty of writing his story

without names. But he quickly forgets this difficulty when he

realizes that here is a group of people who care nothing for

acclaim.

Probably this is the first time in his life he has ever reported

on an organization that wants no personalized publicity.

Cynic though he may be, this obvious sincerity quickly

transforms him into a friend of A.A.

Moved by the spirit of anonymity, we try to give up our

natural desires for personal distinction as A.A. members,

both among fellow alcoholics and before the general public.

As we lay aside these very human aspirations, we believe

that each of us takes part in the weaving of a protective

mantle which covers our whole Society and under which we

may grow and work in unity.

Vision Beyond Today

Vision is, I think, the ability to make good estimates, both for

the immediate and for the more distant future. Some might

feel this sort of striving to be heresy against "One day at a

time." But that valuable principle really refers to our mental

and emotional lives and means chiefly that we are not

foolishly to repine over the past nor wishfully to daydream

about the future.

As individuals and as a fellowship, we shall surely suffer if

we cast the whole job of planning for tomorrow onto a

fatuous idea of providence. God's real providence has

endowed us human beings with a considerable capability for

foresight, and He evidently expects us to use it. Of course,

we shall often miscalculate the future in whole or in part, but

that is better than to refuse to think at all.

TWELVE CONCEPTS, P. 43

Forgiveness

Through the vital Fifth Step, we began to get the feeling that

we could be forgiven, no matter what we had thought or

done.

Often it was while working on this Step with our sponsors or

spiritual advisers that we first felt truly able to forgive others,

no matter how deeply we felt they had wronged us.

Our moral inventory had persuaded us that allround

forgiveness was desirable, but it was only when we

resolutely tackled Step Five that we inwardly knew we'd be

able to receive forgiveness and give it, too.

TWELVE AND TWELVE, P. 57-58

Two Authorities

Many people wonder how A.A. can function under a seeming

anarchy. Other societies have to have law and force and

sanction and punishment, administered by authorized

people. Happily for us, we found that we need no human

authorities which are far more effective. One is benign, the

other malign.

There is God, our Father, who very simply says, "I am waiting

for you to do my will." The other authority is named John

Barlicorn, and he says, "You had better do God's will or I will

kill you."

The A.A. Traditions are neither rules, regulations, nor laws.

We obey them willingly because we want to. Perhaps the

secret of their power lies in the fact that these life-giving

communications spring out of living experience and are

rooted in love.

Running the Whole Show

Most people try to live by self-propulsion. Each person is like

an actor who wants to run the whole show and is forever

trying to arrange the lights, the scenery and the rest of the

players in his own way. If his arrangements would only stay

put, if only people would do as he wished, the show would be

great.

What usually happens? The show doesn't come off very well.

Admitting he may be somewhat at fault, he is sure that other

people are more to blame. He becomes angry, indignant, selfpitying.

Is he not really a self-seeker even when trying to be useful?

Is he not a victim of the delusion that he can wrest

satisfaction and happiness out of this world if only he

manages well?

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, PP. 60-61

Results of Prayer

As the doubter tries the process of prayer, he should begin

to add up the results. If he persists, he will almost surely find

more serenity, more tolerance, less fear, and less anger. He