This difficulty may grow out of the old belief that God’s will is going to be something unpleasant or dull. More than one alcoholic has trouble learning and accepting God’s will. “In short, we chose to ‘become willing,’ and no better choice did we ever make.” We came to believe that a Higher Power could restore us to sanity when we became willing to practice A.A.’s Twelve Steps. This was surely a choice, and a most difficult one. We came to believe that alone we were powerless over alcohol. “Yet we finally did make choices that brought about our recovery. We were the victims of a compulsion which seemed to decree that we must go on with our own destruction. “As active alcoholics, we lost our ability to choose whether we would drink. We have to believe that we can really choose. We must never be blinded by the futile philosophy that we are just the hapless victims of our inheritance, of our life experience, and of our surroundings–that these are the sole forces that make our decisions for us. I pray that I may be satisfied to do my share each day. I pray that I may not try to carry the burden of the universe on my shoulders. He only expects me to carry my one-day’s share. I will leave tomorrow’s burden to God, because He is the great burden-bearer. I know that the way will unfold, step by step. I believe that God cares for me and will provide for me. I will believe that fundamentally all is well. Have I admitted I am an alcoholic? Have I swallowed my pride and admitted I was different from other drinkers? Have I accepted the fact that I must spend the rest of my life without liquor? Have I any more reservations, any idea in the back of my mind that some day I’ll be able to drink safely? Am I absolutely honest with myself and with other people? Have I taken an inventory of myself and admitted the wrong I have done? Have I come clean with my friends? Have I tried to make it up to them for the way I have treated them? rooms that I face the real test of the effectiveness of my walk through A.A.’s Twelve Steps. It is in situations arising in both of those areas that the little day-to-day frustrations are most evident, and where it can be tough to smile or reach out with a kind word or an attentive ear. At home or at work, though, it can be a difference story. It’s often not so hard to spread glad tidings to my old and new friends in the program. While I’m working to stay sober, I’m celebrating with my fellow A.A.s our common release from the hell of drinking. It’s usually pretty easy for me to be pleasant to the people in an A.A. A much more important demonstration of our principles lies before us in our respective homes, occupations and affairs. We feel that elimination of our drinking is but a beginning.
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