Endigar 667 ~ It Doesn’t Happen Overnight
From the Daily Reflections of January 13;
We are not cured of alcoholism. What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition. (Alcoholics Anonymous, page 85)
The most common alcoholic fantasy seems to be: “If I just don’t drink, everything will be all right.” Once the fog cleared for me, I saw — for the first time — the mess my life had become. I had family, work, financial and legal problems; I was hung up on old religious ideas; there were sides of my character to which I was inclined to stay blind because they easily could have convinced me that I was hopeless and pushed me toward escape again. The Big Book guided me in resolving all of my problems. But it didn’t happen overnight — and certainly not automatically — with no effort on my part. I need always to recognize God’s mercy and blessings that shine through any problem I have to face.
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I have difficulty with an absolute statement like, “The Big Book guided me in resolving all of my problems.” It is the ALL and the past tense of the statement. All problems resolved. I suppose if you take a snapshot in time, list the problems that are current for that time and place, it might be plausible that you could resolve them once and for all. Maybe.
My approach to problem solving, which includes chemical bombardments into the landscape of my psyche, is the primary change that the Big Book provides for me. Life is full of problems that wax and wane over the course of my interaction with this mortal world. If I work to create a problem-free life, I will be like the dog chasing his tale. It is me that has to change. I am my own worst problem as long as I wear a victim’s badge. “They hurt me and I need to confront them with the truth.” “If only I had enough income everything would be serene.” “Once I am clear of the court’s microscope, I can begin to truly live free.” The useful truth for me is that once I have changed, I can fearlessly embrace the truth about myself, can find serenity, and live freely, regardless of the list of external problems that arise.
Daily Reprieve 
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