Today's thought from Hazelden is: Slipping A common rationalization about not making the program goes like this: "Harry over there slipped ten times before he made it. So what if I slip a few times?"
What is overlooked is that the last time Jack slipped, he slipped into a coffin; the last time Bob slipped, his baby son burned to death in a crib because of Bob's negligence, the last time Ann slipped, she got strychnine poisoning and became blind; and the last time Jim slipped, he tried to kill his wife and nearly did.
We're not playing games here. This is a matter of life and death.
Have I stopped slipping?
Higher Power, let me know that it is not only my life but the lives of others that I endanger by playing loaded games.
Without the prayer to the Higher Power at the end, this would suggest that WE have the power to prevent OURSELVES from slipping. Which is exactly what Step 1 -- the entire basis of AA -- is saying that we don't.
Even then, the prayer is calling for the knowledge that the impact of our slips have on others. Self-knowledge is not enough. Our ONLY defence against slips comes form a Higher Power, not self-knowledge.
Without the prayer to the Higher Power at the end, this would suggest that WE have the power to prevent OURSELVES from slipping. Which is exactly what Step 1 -- the entire basis of AA -- is saying that we don't.
Even then, the prayer is calling for the knowledge that the impact of our slips have on others. Self-knowledge is not enough. Our ONLY defence against slips comes form a Higher Power, not self-knowledge.
Steve
Steve,
Hazelden is speaking to our propensity for rationalization not the fact that we are powerless over the first drink. We need to change our mindset that a slip is OK simply because others have had one.
Larry, --------------- Excessive drinking is the symptom of a deeper trouble as coughing is a symptom of tuberculosis. (AA booklet)
Thanks Larry. Personally, I see rationalisation as merely one aspect of our powerless over alcohol. I myself can't stop drinking on my own and I myself cannot do anything to overcome my rationalisations. The only thing that works for me is 10-12, the maintenance steps, which help me to keep in fit spiritual condition. I've had slips in the past, and they were due to not being in fit spiritual condition, by me not working the programme, or stalling, as has been said elsewhere on here.
But I do take the point that I was "lucky" in my slips, as they didn't kill me -- certainly this reading is pointing out that they can...a slip hasn't killed me...yet. But the BB promises me that if I keep in fit spiritual condition, I won't slip.
thanks for this, one of the things that scares the crap out of me is what my temper would be like if i picked up. i know when i get upset and angry i could pick up and then it would be disaster. I once attacked someone badly whilst in a black out and it does scare me that I would could do this or worse, to myself or to others. I dont think i would ever pick up to have one or two, i would pick up and get as trashed as much as possible and Lord knows what that would do to my mind especially if i was already in a bad mood. I know fear is not the thing that should keep me sober, it is not, but it is good to remeber how bad things were and what they would become again, what dreadful things would happen.
Yeah, so what? The best person I know in AA took 10 years to get to one year sober. The most effective sponsor, the most no-nonsense person, the one who has been my biggest support system. Not everyone gets it right away & it doesn't mean there's anything wrong with you other than YOU'RE AN ALCOHOLIC. Duh.
