“A friend should be one in whose understanding and virtue we can equally confide, and whose opinion we can value at once for its justness and its sincerity.” – Robert Hall (1764 – 1831) British clergyman (on friendships including w/ an addict)
“All of us felt at times that we were regaining control, but such intervals– usually brief–were inevitably followed by still less control, which led in time to pitiful and incomprehensible demoralization.” “Over any considerable period, we get worse, never better.” (The Big Book, p. 30)
Today’s
“When they discover the center of the universe, a lot of people will be disappointed to discover they are not it.” – Bernard Bailey (1916 – 1996) U.S. comic book founding-father
HAPPY, SLAPPY JOY & FUN CAN BE CONTAGIOUS – “… we are not a glum lot. If newcomers could see no joy or fun in our existence, they wouldn’t, want it. We absolutely insist on enjoying life.” (Life with Hope, p. 162)
“Never expose yourself unnecessarily to danger; a miracle may not save you … and if it does, it will be deducted from your share of luck or merit.” – The Talmud (c. 500 CE) Judaism’s basic text
Today’s SFZ
OUR SPIRITUAL WEALTH RESERVOIR OVERFLOWS FREELY –
“By helping others
to stay clean, we enjoy
the benefit of the spiritual
wealth that we have found.
We must give freely and
gratefully that which has
been freely and grate-
fully given to us.”
(The Basic Text,
p. 49)
PROOF BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT – “Denial is the part of our disease that makes it difficult, if not impossible, for us to acknowledge reality.” “Always skillful at defending our actions, we refused to accept responsibility for the damage done by our addiction.” (It Works, How & Why, p. 4)
“He who merely knows right principles is not equal to him who loves them.” – Confucius (551 BC – 479 BC) Chinese philosopher / teacher
“We must always change, renew, rejuvenate ourselves; otherwise we harden.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 – 1832) German philosopher /dramatist
BE THE MESSAGE IN EVERY WAY –
“The twelfth step suggests that we continue to practice our new way of acting upon life ‘in all our affairs … .’ ” “Applying these principles in all our affairs means that we are no longer ruled by a fear of admitting our mistakes. We have the integrity to show the world our true selves.” (Over Eaters Anon.,
p. 104-105)