Working on Step 3?

[Toast]

My favourite historical warning about the danger so drink come from the 1000 year old Persian poem, The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. It’s a great yarn about the different stages an alcoholic goes through until he finally ends up mad howling at the night sky. A few verses:


You know, my Friends, how long since in my House
For a new Marriage I did make Carouse:
Divorced old barren Reason from my Bed,
And took the Daughter of the Vine to Spouse.

Yesterday This Day's Madness did prepare;
To-morrow's Silence, Triumph, or Despair:
Drink! for you know not whence you came, nor why:
Drink! for you know not why you go, nor where.

And much as Wine has play'd the Infidel,
And robb'd me of my Robe of Honour--Well,
I wonder often what the Vintners buy
One half so precious as the stuff they sell.


God Bless

[Camel]

Hi, some very informative posts here, my thanks to all.

Its been said the story of the Good Samaritan is also about alcoholism.
When the Samaritan finds the Levite lying naked at the side of the road, the guy had been beaten up, robbed of his cloak and anything else of worth. He took him to an inn where he got him washed, clothed and a bed them he left some money with the innkeeper and said 'when he wakes give him what he needs' i.e. a square meal. Note how the Samaritan never said ' give him what he wants' which would be more booze!

Be well.

I agree, Toast. It's my opinion that if the Good Samaritan had not put up the money, that story would not have been in the Bible. I'd also bet Dr. Bob and Bill Wilson read that passage many times. It could very well have been Bill's inspiration in Chapter 7: "It is not the matter of giving that is in question, but when and how to give." (Page 98, Big Book)

Hub

[DiggerinVA]

Step 10 reminds of having to take this step every day.

From the original manuscript:

It is easy to let up on the spiritual program of action and rest on your laurels. You are headed for trouble if you do, for alcohol is a subtle foe. We are not cured of alcoholism. What we really have is a daily reprieve. Every day is a day when you have to carry the vision of God's will into all of your activities. "How can I best serve Thee - Thy will (not mine) be done." These are thoughts which must go with you constantly. You can exercise your will power along this line all you wish. It is the proper use of the will.


"How can I best serve Thee- Thy will (not mine) be done."

Not saying it is easy, but it is part of it.

[Dallas]

My best bet, is to practice Step 10 all throughout the day.
When I was trying real hard to do Step 10 once a day, in the evening
I'd forget to do it for a few days and end up like a rage-aholic in an
egg basket.

Give me too much rope -- and I'll hang myself every time. LOL.

[DiggerinVA]

Sounds like you are normal.