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bill w and dr. bob

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Bill and Lois Wilson

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NASHVILLE RECOVERY

How It Works

Page 58

Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path. Those who do not recover are people who cannot or will not completely give themselves to this simple program, usually men and women who are constitutionally incapable of being honest with themselves. There are such unfortunates. They are not at fault; they seem to have been born that way. They are naturally incapable of grasping and developing a manner of living which demands rigorous honesty. Their chances are less than average. There are those, too, who suffer from grave emotional and mental disorders, but many of them do recover if they have the capacity to be honest.

Bill Wilson doing 12th step work

Our stories disclose in a general way what we used to be like, what happened, and what we are like now. If you have decided you want what we have and are willing to go to any length to get it - then you are ready to take certain steps.

At some of these we balked. We thought we could find an easier, softer way. But we could not. With all the earnestness at our command, we beg of you to be fearless and thorough from the very start. Some of us have tried to hold on to our old ideas and the result was nil until we let go absolutely.

Remember that we deal with alcohol - cunning, baffling,...

Back :: Next

constitutionally (adv.):
in respect to mental or emotional makeup
honest (adj.):
not deceptive or fraudulent; genuine; characterized by truth; not false; sincere; frank
demand (v.):
to call for or require as just, proper, or necessary
rigorous (v.):
(1) characterized by rigor; rigidly severe or harsh, as people, rules, or discipline (2) severely exact or accurate; precise
honesty (n.):
(1) the quality or fact of being honest; uprightness and fairness (2) truthfulness, sincerity, or frankness (3) freedom from deceit or fraud
grave (adj.):
(1) threatening a seriously bad outcome or involving serious issues; critical (2) serious or solemn; sober: a grave person; grave thoughts (3) weighty, momentous, or important
balk (v.):
to stop, as at an obstacle, and refuse to proceed or to do something specified
earnestness (v.):
the trait or feeling of deep sincerity or seriousness
nil (n.):
nothing; naught; zero
absolutely (adv.):
without exception; completely; wholly; entirely
cunning (adj.):
marked by or given to artful subtlety and deceptiveness

Dig Deeper

  • Original 'How It Works' :: from the original manuscript
  • A.A. Works Best, Study Says
  • Wikipedia Entry for Alcoholics Anonymous
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