Our first attempts at inventories are apt to prove very unrealistic. I used to be a champ at unrealistic self-appraisal. On certain occasions, I wanted to look only at the part of my life which seemed good. Then I would greatly exaggerate whatever virtues I supposed I had attained. Next I would congratulate myself onContinue reading “The Spiritual Alibi – As Bill Sees It #193”
Category Archives: As Bill Sees It
The Obsession And The Answer – As Bill Sees It #194
The idea that somehow, some day, 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. ************** Alcoholism, not cancer, was my illness, but what was the difference? Was not alcoholism also aContinue reading “The Obsession And The Answer – As Bill Sees It #194”
The Beginning Of Humility – As Bill Sees It #191
There are few absolutes inherent in the Twelve Steps. Most Steps are open to interpretation, based on the experience and outlook of the individual. Consequently, the individual is free to start the Steps at whatever point he can, or will. God, as we understand Him, may be defined as a ‘Power greater…’ or the HigherContinue reading “The Beginning Of Humility – As Bill Sees It #191”
Our Problem Centers In The Mind – As Bill Sees It #130
We know that as long as the alcoholic keeps away from drink, he usually reacts much like other men. We are equally positive that once he takes any alcohol whatever into his system, something happens, in both the bodily and the mental sense, which makes it virtually impossible for him to stop. The experience ofContinue reading “Our Problem Centers In The Mind – As Bill Sees It #130”
Basis Of All Humility – As Bill Sees It #139
For just so long as we were convinced that we could live exclusively by our own individual strength and intelligence, for just that long was a working faith in a Higher Power impossible. This was true even when we believed that God existed. We could actually have earnest religious beliefs which remained barren because weContinue reading “Basis Of All Humility – As Bill Sees It #139”
The Answer In The Mirror – As Bill Sees It #225
While drinking, we were certain that our intelligence, backed by will power, could rightly control our inner lives and guarantee us success in the world around us. This brave philosophy, wherein each man played God, sounded good in the speaking, but it still had to meet the acid test: How well did it actually work?Continue reading “The Answer In The Mirror – As Bill Sees It #225”
No Personal Power – As Bill Sees It #114
At first, the remedy for my personal difficulties seemed so obvious that I could not imagine any alcoholic turning the proposition down were it properly presented to him. Believing so firmly that Christ can do anything, I had the unconscious conceit to suppose that He would do everything through me—right then and in the mannerContinue reading “No Personal Power – As Bill Sees It #114”
Tolerance In Practice – As Bill Sees It #158
We found that the principles of tolerance and love had to be emphasized in actual practice. We can never say (or insinuate) to anyone that he must agree to our formula or be excommunicated. The atheist may stand up in an A.A. meeting still denying the Deity, yet reporting how vastly he has been changedContinue reading “Tolerance In Practice – As Bill Sees It #158”
Acceptance Of What Is – Replacing Judgement & Fear With Curiousity, Reverance & Trust – Doing The Work of Bryon Katie
Byron Katie Byron Katie faced severe struggles with depression, anger, and addiction for much of her life. By her thirties, she became isolated and suicidal, spending years dealing with agoraphobia, confined to her bedroom. Her turning point came in 1986 when, during a stay at a halfway house, she experienced a profound awakening. Upon wakingContinue reading “Acceptance Of What Is – Replacing Judgement & Fear With Curiousity, Reverance & Trust – Doing The Work of Bryon Katie”
Thousands Of “Founders” – As Bill Sees It #67
While I thank God that I was privileged to be an early member of A.A., I honestly wish that the word ‘founder’ could be eliminated from the A.A. vocabulary. When you get right down to it, everyone who has done any amount of successful Twelfth Step work is bound to be the founder of aContinue reading “Thousands Of “Founders” – As Bill Sees It #67”