a miracle of transformation which has occurred in him—not only his release from alcohol, but a complete change in his whole attitude toward life and the living of it.

Then we shall need to find both the courage and the grace to deal constructively with whatever fears remain.

pain has been the price of admission into a new life.

“In short, we chose to ‘become willing,’ and no better choice did we ever make.”

we have a complete willingness to take inventory, and exert ourselves to do the job thoroughly,

Those adolescent urges that so many of us have for complete approval, utter security, and perfect romance—urges quite appropriate to age seventeen—prove to be an impossible way of life at forty-seven or fifty-seven.

“Day by day, we try to move a little toward God’s perfection. So we need not be consumed by maudlin guilt for failure to achieve His likeness and image by Thursday next. Progress is our aim, and His perfection is the beacon, light-years away, that draws us on.”

Our very first problem is to accept our present circumstances as they are, ourselves as we are, and the people about us as they are.

“Indeed, that was the essence of A.A. itself: trouble accepted, trouble squarely faced with calm courage, trouble lessened and often transcended. This was the A.A. story, and we became a part of it. Such demonstrations became our stock in trade for the next sufferer.” LETTER, 1966