Defenseless

Thoughtfood for Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Defenseless

We are without defense against the first drink.

The almost certain consequences that follow

taking even a glass of beer

do not crowd into the mind to deter us. . .

There is a complete failure of the kind of defense

that keeps one from putting his hand on a hot stove.
- Alcoholics Anonymous,  p.24

From the Big Book:

"The Doctor's Opinion: We of  Alcoholics Anonymous believe that the reader will be interested in the medical estimate of the play of recovery described in this book.  Convincing testimony must surely come from medical men who have had experience with the suffering of our members and have witnessed our return to health.  I well-known doctor, chief physician at a nationally prominent hospital specializing in alcoholic and drug addiction, gave Alcoholics Anonymous this letter:"

c. 1936, AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, The Doctor's Opinion, p. xxiii.

Prayer for the day:

"I pray that I may not always seek pleasure as a goal.  I pray that I may be content with the happiness that comes when I do the right thing."

c. 1975, Hazelden Foundation, Twenty-Four Hours A Day, Nov. 4.

Quote for the day:

"Even the most rational approach to ethics is defenseless if there isn't the will to do what is right."  __Alexander Solzhenitsyn [Russian novelist, Nobel Prize for literature (1970), b. 1918.]

My share:

I always tried to be an ethical person.  My alcoholism often compromised that intention. But with my will to change and the direction of the will of my higher power, the ability to be ethical and honest has been greatly enhanced.  Still a  lot of work to do. Be Good To You, Dave