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Taken from
"The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous"
The Big Book
of Alcoholics Anonymous, ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS® and A.A.® are
registered trademarks of A.A. World Services, Inc.
Chapter 5 -
How It Works [Page 58]
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.
Our stories disclose in a general way what we used to be
like, what happened, and what we are like now. 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.
At some of these we balked. thought we could find an
easier, softer way. But we could not. With all the
earnestness at our command, we beg of you to be fearless and
thorough from the very start. Some of us have tried to hold
on to our old ideas and the result was nil until we let go
absolutely.
Remember that we deal with alcohol — cunning, baffling, [Page
58] powerful! Without help it is too much for us. But
there is One who has all power — that One is God. May you
find Him now!
Half measures availed us nothing. We stood at the turning
point. we asked His protection and care with complete
abandon.
Here are the steps we took, which are suggested as
a program of recovery: (next)
The Big Book of Alcoholics
Anonymous, ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS® and A.A.® are registered
trademarks of A.A. World Services, Inc. |
