We see so many people in meetings, and out on the streets, still stumbling around with the program, hurting, whining and crying, still all covered up with the Great 3 S's of our disease, Self-pity, Self-righteousness, and Self-Bullshit, and wondering why they can't get "IT" . . .

In every meeting the Prescription is read and heard and referred to, on the walls in posters. It is spelled out precisely in the BigBook on Pages 59 and 60.

Unwilling to disregard fear, and the 7 deadlies mentioned in the 12x12 on page 48, you know, pride, greed, lust, anger, gluttony, envy and SLOTH , people trouble themselves in vain to read the teachings. They see the prescription, but don't take the medicine --- How then can they do away with their illness?"

From the Big Book Page 72, Chapter 6, INTO ACTION . . .

"In actual practice, we usually find a solitary self-appraisal insufficient. Many of us thought it necessary to go much farther. We will be more reconciled to discussing ourselves with another person when we see good reasons why we should do so. The best reason first: If we skip this vital step, we may not overcome drinking. Time after time newcomers have tried to keep to themselves certain facts about their lives. Trying to avoid this humbling experience, they have turned to easier methods. Almost invariably they got drunk. Having persevered with the rest of the program, they wondered why they fell. We think the reason is that they never completed their housecleaning. They took inventory all right, but hung on to some of the worst items in stock. They only thought they had lost their egoism and fear; they only thought they had humbled themselves. But they had not learned enough of humility, fearlessness and HONESTY, in the sense we find it necessary, until they told someone else ALL of their life story.

As it was told to me, "Until someone in AA knows everything you know about yourself, you are nowhere."

WHY???
Because, until the steps are done thoroughly, and the garbage resolved and eliminated, the old thought system still has a basis for return.

And they still wonder why they are not Getting "IT"

"Half-measures availed us nothing!!"

On Page 98 of the Big Book, "Burn the idea into the consciousness of every man [and woman] that he [she] can get well regardless of anyone. The only condition is that he [she] trust in God and clean house."

The Steps of the Program are the Mops and Brooms to Clean House.

It isn't any secret, friends, it is all spelled out clearly. There are 12 things to do, and one to not do, no matter what.

If the steps are not done, and done thoroughly, then the individual must live with the consequences of that decision or lack of decision . . . Sorry about that, but that is the way it is, One Day At A Time.

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