AA is not a plan for recovery that can be finished and done with. It is a way of life, and the challenge contained in its principles is great enough to keep any human being striving for as long as he lives. We do not, cannot, outgrow this plan. As arrested alcoholics, we must have a program for living that allows for limitless expansion. Keeping one foot in front of the other is essential for maintaining our arrestment. Others may idle in a retrogressive groove without too much danger, but retrogression can spell death for us. However, this isn’t as rough as it sounds, as we do become grateful for the necessity that makes us toe the line, and we find that we are compensated for a consistent effort by the countless dividends we receive.
A complete change takes place in our approach to life. Where we used to run from responsibility, we find ourselves accepting it with gratitude that we can successfully shoulder it. Instead of wanting to escape some perplexing problem, we experience the thrill of challenge in the opportunity it affords for another application of AA techniques, and we find ourselves tackling it with surprising vigor.
… I have had my share of problems, heartaches, and disappointments because that is life, but also I have known a great deal of joy and peace that is the handmaiden of an inner freedom. I have a wealth of friends, and, with my AA friends, an unusual quality of fellowship. For, to these people, I am truly related. First, through mutual pain and despair, and later through mutual objectives and newfound faith and hope. And as the years go by, working together, sharing our experience with one another, and also sharing a mutual trust, understanding and love – – without strings, without obligations — we acquire relationships that are unique and priceless.
There is no more aloneness, with the awful ache, so deep in the heart of every alcoholic that nothing before, could ever reach it. That ache is gone and never need return again.
Now there is a sense of belonging, of being wanted and needed and loved. In return for a bottle and a hangover, we have been given the Keys of the Kingdom.
Thank you for helping find this quote! I forgot it wasn’t in the main text. I was searching for “idle or retrogressive or groove” in 164andmore.com.
I’m curious…, this page, just above, this reply says “2 Thoughts” but I don’t see what the thoughts are.
I suppose I’ll offer 2, there are more…
Death is the death of Spirit, drive and ambition, which will lead the the death of both sobriety and emotional well-being.
The other, the “thrill of challenge in the opportunity it affords for another application of AA techniques”. I never thought a problems as thrilling. Perhaps I still don’t. But I now see the opportunity. It also suggests that AA has techniques for dealing with life. There are things that I can do. And I am surprised as I do apply them with vigor today.
Hi Clay … this article is linked to two other articles … that’s what the 2 thoughts/comments are above the one you added. Thank you for ur comment and insight!