Fooling No One

Chet R. Part 2- Nov. 29 With Gratitude

“The last two years of my drinking, my entire personality changed to a cynical, intolerant, and arrogant person completely different from my normal self.”

 -Alcoholics Anonymous p. 385

We always think we are fooling people in our drinking—that nobody knows.  This is part of the self-centered nature of our disease.  Chet R., in his personal story, “It Might Have Been Worse,” recognizes how people from his drinking days would recognize him as a sober man and be shocked that he had stopped drinking.  We have no idea how much our drinking impacts others—and how much our sobriety does as well.

Chet reflects that “Just being sober will be making amends to many we have hurt by our drunken actions” (p. 390). Our sobriety, whether new or continual, makes a great deal of difference to family members, friends, employers, the lady at the checkout stand—you name it.  The living amends of the newly sober person is powerful.  People remember us as the angry and drunken fools we were.  Now they see us as God really intended us to be—loving, respectful, mature members of society.

I was a completely cynical person at the end of my drinking.  Everything was dark and gray.  My attitude while not drinking—those daytime hours in which I was working and dry—was almost as bad as my drunken behavior.  I stay in AA today because of the improvement in my attitude and outlook upon life.  Even if I don’t pick up a drink, those intolerant and cynical attitudes—rooted in resentment and fear—are sure to return if I don’t treat my disease on a daily basis. 

Today’s Prayer

God, my attitude reflects my relationship and dependence on you.  Help me surrender to your will and accept situations just as they are.  Change my attitude, Higher Power.  I want to live in the light of your grace today.