As an alcoholic, you know that every day is a chance for a new beginning. Today is April 16, and you resolve to make today the best day ever. You’ll stick to your program and stay sober.
You’ll be kind to yourself and others, and you’ll live in the moment. This is your day, and you’re going to make the most of it!
Daily Reflections April 16
If we were to live, we had to be free of anger. The grouch and the brainstorm were not for us. They may be the dubious luxury of normal men, but for alcoholics these things are poison.ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 66
“Dubious luxury.” I have to be honest, these words are not just anger that’s best left to non alcoholics; they’re drummed into me so well by the principles of this program and all its defects.
It shocks me every time someone quotes them verbatim because you start thinking “hold on- why did she say ‘sordid waste’? Or how about when he wrote: ‘Our eyes meet across a crowded room’ ?”
Thank goodness for self control (or lack thereof)!
I’ve always thought of these words as a source of anger, but it’s not just that. These are also the things that make up my social life outside Alcoholics Anonymous.
So what do I think about when they’re mentioned? Is this speaker trying to get me angry at myself for having them too? No! They want me to see how much better off I am with all those qualities erased from my personality and replaced by humility, gratitude, honesty and acceptance.
And thank goodness there isn’t any alcohol in the picture either—I’m sure if there was I’d be doing everything on their list right now…
