Decoding the Big Book - Into Action

overt. If you skip this vital step, you may not overcome your drinking. Bill cautions that newcomers who avoid this humbling experience almost always get drunk again. Bill leaves the reader without any wiggle room, saying, You must be entirely honest with somebody if you expect to live long and

happily in this world. Finding a trustworthy person could be challenging, but Bill is confident the reader can find a minister, a priest, the doctor, psychologist, or a closed mouth friend with whom they can share their inventory. Today's member of AA uses their sponsor as the person they share their fifth step with. But back when Bill wrote the book, the concept had not yet been created. Thus, there is no discussion of sponsorship in the big book.

Once the person is selected, Bill has concrete and concise directions for completing the fifth step with the written inventory in hand. The alcoholic should waste no time in setting up an appointment for an long talk with the person they have chosen. The alcoholic is instructed to explain two very specific things to their partner by candidly telling them what they're about to do and why they

have to do it. Bill establishes the step as life or death, and the new man should pocket their pride and go to it, holding nothing back. Having done their fifth step.Bill promises miraculous results.

in place? Have you skimped on the cement you have put into the foundation? Have you tried to make mortar without sand?

alcoholic can answer these questions about the thoroughness of the work done in step five to their satisfaction, and it's time to look at step six, he asks that you honestly ask yourself if you are now perfectly willing to let God remove all these defects of character from you and your life. If you discover that you yet cling to something you will not let go, then prayer is the answer and you must ask God to

help you be willing. Whatever it takes to be entirely ready is required before moving on to step seven. Once the willingness is there, step seven can be completed by getting down on your knees and humbly saying a prayer, which sounds something like this.

Bill cautions against discouragement.

wreckage of the past. He uses the next five paragraphs to address how to make amends, when to do so might result in criminal prosecution or even jail time.

alimony. Others in AA suggested to this member that before turning himself in to the judge, he should write his ex apologizing for his past behavior and promising to act differently, including a good faith. Check with the letter. Bill wrote that the attempted reconciliation was successful and quote, The whole situation has long since been adjusted and quote to everyone's satisfaction. Not every attempt will be easy. Bill says.

widespread approval. And today, he's one of the most trusted citizens of his town. End quote. Bill then writes in the next four paragraphs on how to address serious domestic problems that may have resulted from the readers past relations, quote, with women. In a fashion you wouldn't care to have advertise. End quote. Do you tell your significant other? Not always writes Bill and then explain several scenarios. What might happen should you have to

admit your fault to her. Bill offers perhaps the most insensitive and self-serving line to be found in the entire big book As William Sheinberg writes in writing the big book, claiming, quote, If you can forget, so can she. End quote. Building on this, he suggests with equal nonchalance that when it comes to past infidelities, the best thing would be for each party to decide that the way of good sense and loving kindness is to let bygones be bygones.

Even if you've avoided marital infidelity, Bill claims there's plenty of work ahead at home. He uses the analogy of a tornado roaring through the lives of others, destroying hearts and relationships. Bill says sobriety is not enough and that anyone with this attitude is unthinking. Bill uses the analogy of a man coming out of his storm cellar and remarking that there is nothing to see here when all has been destroyed.

Bill says the alcoholic must realize, quote, There is a long period of reconstruction ahead, end quote. And their job is to take the lead in this process. The alcoholic must, quote, clean house with the family asking each morning and meditation that your creator show you the way of patience, tolerance, kindness and love, end quote. Especially with the family. Spiritual life is not a theory. You have to live it as a way of life. Although there will be challenges in making these ninth

step amends. Bill offers what are now known in Alcoholics Anonymous as the promises.

disappear. You will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in your fellows. Self-Seeking will slip away. Your whole attitude and outlook upon life will intuitively know how to handle situations that used to baffle you. You will suddenly realize that God is doing for you what you could not do for yourself. You say these are extravagant promises. They are not. They are being fulfilled among us. Sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. They will materialize in you if you work for them.

amends quickly. If you have harmed anyone, end quote.Bill makes a promise with his explanation of the 10th step about the removal of the obsession of alcohol. If you have successfully completed the first ten steps, paraphrasing Bill's text, you will seldom be interested in liquor. You will feel as though you have been placed in a position of neutrality. You will feel safe and protected. You have not even sworn off. Instead, the problem has been removed. It does not exist for you. It has happened

automatically. Despite reaching this impressive new level of God consciousness. Bill says you must take more action. The requirements of the 11th step. Bill writes, quote, Step 11 suggests prayer and meditation. Don't be shy on this matter of prayer. Better men than we are using it constantly. It works if you have the proper attitude and work at it, end quote. Bill had to thread a needle with his language, a prayer, meditation

in the 11th step. He could have used generic language that would please most of the fellowship, but the Oxford group had a very specific way of doing meditation called Quiet Time, The purpose of which was to receive guidance directly from God. Dr. Bob and most of the members of the Akron and Cleveland groups were still following this method of, quote, quiet time, end quote, from the Oxford Group method of guidance

from God. Bill was looking to avoid a comparison to the Oxford Group, but also did not want to offend the Ohio people. So Bill interspersed some Oxford Group beliefs and practices throughout the description of Step 11, but doing so in a way that would not be identified as coming from the Oxford Group. Ending the chapter Bill says quote. But that is not all. There is action and more action. Faith without works is

dead. What works? We shall treat them in the next chapter, whic is entirely devoted to step 12, end quote. in the chronology of how Bill wrote the book. This is the end. The last part of the big book that was written for the journey through the chapters as they appear. Bill inserted the already written working with others after into action. Bill wrote working with others as the middle part of Step 12, Not the beginning. in the first edition.

Bill refers to having a spiritual experience as a result of this work, but never defines it. It wasn't until the second printing of the big book in March 1941 that Bill added Appendix two later titled The Spiritual Experience, as the first effort to explain this critical part of Step 12.

Chapter six into action. Having made our personal inventory. What shall we do about it? We've been trying to get a new attitude, a new relationship with our Creator, and to discover the obstacles in our path. We have admitted certain defects. We have ascertained in a rough way what the trouble is. We put our finger on the weak items in our personal inventory. Now, these are about to be cast

out. This requires action on our part, which when completed, will mean we have admitted to God, to ourselves, into another human being. The exact nature of our defects. This brings us to the fifth step in the programme of

recovery mentioned in the preceding chapter. This is perhaps difficult, especially discussing our defects with another person. We think we have done well enough in admitting these things to ourselves. There is doubt about that In actual practice, we usually find a solitary self appraisal in sufficient. Many of us thought it necessary to go much further. 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 egotism and fear. They only thought they had humbled themselves, but they had not learned enough of humility, fearlessne and honesty In the sense we find it necessary until they told someone else all their life story more than most people. The alcoholic leads a double life. He is very much the actor. The outer world. He presents his stage character. This is the one

he likes his fellows to see. He wants to enjoy a certain reputation, but he knows in his heart he doesn't deserve it. The end consists agency is made worse by the things he does on his sprees. Coming to his senses, he is revolted at certain episodes he vaguely remembers. These memories are a nightmare. He trembles to think someone might have observed him as far as he can. He pushes these memories far inside himself. He hopes they will never see the

light of day. He is under constant fear intention that makes for more drinking. Psychologists are inclined to agree with us. We have spent thousands of dollars for examinations we know, but few instances where we have given these doctors a fair break. We have seldom told them the whole truth nor have we followed their advice. Unwilling to be honest with the sympathetic men, we were honest with no one else.

Small wonder many in the medical profession have a low opinion of alcoholics and their chance for recovery. We must be entirely honest with somebody. If we expect to live long or happily in this world, rightly and naturally, we think it well before we choose the person or persons with whom to take this intimate and confidential step.

Those of us belonging to a religious denomination which requires confession, must and of course will want to go to the properly appointed authority whose duty it is to receive it. though we have no religious connection. We may still do well to talk with someone ordained by an established religion. We often find such a person quick to see and understand our problem. Of course, we sometimes encounter people who do not

understand alcoholics. If we cannot or would rather not do this, we search our acquaintance for a close mouthed understanding friend. Perhaps her doctor or psychologist will be the person. It may be one of our own family, but we cannot disclose anything to our wives or our parents which will hurt them and make them unhappy. We have no right to save our own skin and another person's expense. Such parts of our story we tell to someone who will understand yet be unaffected.

The rule is we must be hard on ourselves, but always considerate of others. Notwithstanding the great necessity for discussing ourselves with someone, may be one is so situated that there is no suitable person available. If that is so, the step may be postponed. Only, however, if we hold ourselves in complete readiness to go through with it at the first opportunity. We say this because we are very anxious that we talk to the right person.

It is important that he be able to keep a confidence that he fully understand and approve what we are driving at, that he will not try and change our plan. But we must not use this as a mere excuse to postpone when we decide who is to hear our story. We waste no time. We have written an inventory and we are prepared for a long talk. We explain to our partner what we are about to do and why we have to do it. He should realize that we are engaged upon a life and

death errand. Most people approached in this way will be glad to help and they will be honored by our confidence. We pocket our pride and go to it, illuminating every twist of character, every dark cranny of the past. Once we have taken this step with holding nothing, we are delighted. We can look the world in the eye. We can be alone at perfect peace and ease. Our fears fall from us. We begin to feel the nearness of our

Creator. We may have had certain spiritual beliefs, but now we begin to have a spiritual experience. The feeling that the drink problem has disappeared will often come strongly. We feel we are on the broad highway, walking hand in hand with the spirit of the universe. Returning home, we find a place

where we can be quiet for an hour, carefully reviewing what we have done. We thank God from the bottom of our heart that we know him better. Taking this book down from our shelf, we turn to the page, which contains the 12 steps, carefully reading the first five proposals. We ask if we have submitted anything for we are building an arch through which we shall walk a free man at last. Is our work solid so far? Are the stones properly in place? Have we skimped on the cement put into

the foundation? Have we tried to make mortar without sand? If we can answer to our satisfaction, we then look at step six. We have emphasized willingness as being indispensable. Are we now ready to let God remove from us all the things which we have admitted are objectionable? Can he now take them all? Every one. If we still cling to something, we will not let go. We ask God to help us be willing. When ready, we say something like this. My Creator, I am now willing that you should have all

of me, good and bad. I pray that you now remove from me every single defect of character which stands in the way of my usefulness to you and my fellows. Grant me strength as I go out from here to do your bidding. Amen. We have now completed step seven. Now we need more action. Without which we find that faith without works is dead. Let's take a look at steps eight and

nine. We have a list of all persons we have harmed and to whom we are willing to make amends. We made it when we took inventory. We subjected ourselves to a drastic self appraisal. Now we go out to our fellows and repair the damage done in the past. We attempt to sweep away the debris which has accumulated out of our effort to live on self-will and run the show ourselves. If we haven't the will to do this, we ask

until it comes. Remember, it was agreed at the beginning we would go to any lengths for victory over alcohol. Perhaps there are still some misgivings as we look over the list of business acquaintances and friends we have hurt. We may feel difficult about going to some of them on a spiritual basis. Let us be reassured to some people. We need not and probably should not emphasize the spiritual feature on our first approach. We might prejudice them. At the moment we are trying to put our lives in

order. But this is not an end in itself. Our real purpose is to fit ourselves, to be of maximum service to God and the people about us. It is seldom wise to approach an individual who still smarts from our injustice to him and announce that we have gone religious in the prize ring. This would be called leading with the Jinn widely ourselves, open to being branded fanatics

or religious boors. We may kill a future opportunity to carry a beneficial message, but our man is sure to be impressed with a sincere desire to set right the wrong. He is going to be more interested in the determination of goodwill than our talk of spiritual discoveries. We don't use this as an excuse for shying away from the subject of God when it will serve any good purpose. We are willing to announce our convictions with tact and common sense. The question of how to approach the

man we hated will arise. It may be that he has done us more harm than we have done him and that we may have acquired a better attitude towards him. We are still not too keen about admitting our faults. Nevertheless, with a person we dislike, we take the bit in our teeth. It is harder to go to an enemy than to a friend. But we find it much more beneficial to us. We go to him in a helpful and forgiving spirit, confessing our former ill feeling and

expressing our regret. Under no condition do we criticize such a person or argue simply. We tell him that we will never get over drinking until we have done our utmost to straighten out the past. We are there to sweep off our side of the street, realizing that nothing worthwhile can be accomplished until we do so. Never trying to tell him what he should do. His faults are not discussed. We stick to our own. If our manner is calm, frank, and open, we will be gratified with the

result. In nine cases out of ten, the unexpected happens. Sometimes the man we are calling upon admits his own faults. So feuds of years standing melt away in an hour. Rarely do we fail to make satisfactory progress. Our former enemies sometimes praise what we are doing and wish us well. Occasionally, they will offer assistance. It should not matter, however, if someone does throw us out of his office.We have made our demonstration. Done our part. It's water over the dam.

Most alcoholics owe money. We do not dodge our creditors telling them what we are trying to do. We make no bones about our drinking. They usually know it already. Whether we think so or not. Nor are we afraid of disclosing our alcoholism. On the theory it may cause financial harm. Approached in this way the most ruthless creditor will sometimes surprise us, arranging the best deal we can. We let these people know we are sorry. Our drinking has made

us slow to pay. We must lose our fear of creditors, no matter how far we have to go. For we are liable to drink. If we are afraid to face them, perhaps we have committed a criminal offence. Which might Landis in jail. If it were known to the authorities, We may be short in our accounts and unable to make good. We have already admitted this in confidence to another person, but we are sure we would be imprisoned or lose our jobs

if it were known. Maybe it's only a petty offence such as padding the expense account. Most of us have done that sort of thing. Maybe we are divorced and remarried, but haven't kept up the alimony to number one. She is indignant about it and has a warrant out for our arrest. That's a common form of trouble too, although these reparations take innumerable forms.There are some general principles which we find guiding. Remind ourselves that we have decided to go to any lengths to find a

spiritual experience. We asked that we be given strength and direction to do the right thing no matter what the personal consequence is. May be we may lose our position or reputation or face jail. But we are willing. We have to be. We must not shrink at anything. Usually, however, other people are involved. Therefore, we are not to be the hasty and foolish martyr who would needlessly sacrifice others to save himself from the alcoholic pit. a man we know had remarried because of

resentment and drinking. He had not paid alimony to his first wife. She was furious. She went to court to get an order for his arrest. had commenced our way of life, had secured a position, and was getting his head above water. It would have been impressive heroics if he had walked up to the judge and said, Here I am. We thought he ought to be willing to do that if necessary. But if he were in jail, he could provide nothing

for either family. We suggested he write his first wife, adm his faults and asking forgiveness. He did, and also sent a small amount of money. He told her what he would try to do in the future. He said he was perfectly willing to go to jail if she insisted. Of course she did not. And the whole situation is long since been adjusted before taking drastic action which might implicate other people. We secure their consent. If we have obtained permission, have

consulted with others. Ask God to help and the drastic step is indicated. We must not shrink. This brings to mind a story about one of our friends while drinking, he accepted a sum of money from a bitterly hated business rival, giving him no receipt for it. He subsequently denied having received the money and used the incident as a basis for discrediting the man. He thus used his own wrongdoing as a means of destroying the reputation of another. In fact,

his rival was ruined. He felt he had done a wrong he could not possibly make right. If he opened that old affair. He was afraid it would destroy the reputation of his partner. Disgrace his family, and take away his means of livelihood. What right had he to involve Those depended upon him. How could he possibly make a public statement? Exonerate his rival? After consulting with his wife and partner, he came to the conclusion it was better to take those risks than to stand before

his creator. Guilty of such ruinous slander. He saw that he had to place the outcome in God's hands, or he would soon start drinking again and all would be lost anyhow. He attended church for the first time in many years. After the sermon, he quietly got up and made an explanation. His action was met with widespread approval, and today he is one of the most trusted citizens of his town. This happened years ago. The chances are that we have

domestic troubles. Perhaps we are mixed up with women in a fashion we wouldn't care to have advertised. We doubt if in this respect, alcoholics are fundamentally much worse than other people. But drinking does complicate sex relations in the home after a few years with an alcoholic. A wife gets worn out, resentful and uncommunicative. How could she be anything else? The husband begins to feel

lonely, sorry for himself. He commences to look around in the nightclubs or their equivalent for something besides liquor. Perhaps he is having a secret and exciting affair with the girl who understands. In fairness, we must say that she may understand. But what are we going to do about a thing like that? A man so involved often feels very remorseful at times, especially if he is married to a loyal and courageous girl who has literally gone through hell

for him. Whatever the situation, we usually have to do something about it. I we are sure our wife does not know, should we tell her? Not always. We think If she knows in a general way that we have been wild, should we tell her in detail? Undoubtedly. We should admit our fault. She may insist on knowing all the particulars. She will want to know who the woman is and where she is. We feel we ought to say to her that we have no right to

involve another person. We are sorry for what we have done, and God willing, it shall not be repeated. More than that, we cannot do. We have no right to go further. though there may be justifiable exceptions. And though we wish to lay down no rule of any sort, have often found this the best course to take. Our design for living is not a one way street. It is this good for the wife. As for the husband. If we can forget, so

can she. It is better, however, that one does not needlessly name a person upon whom she can vent jealousy. Perhaps there are some cases where the utmost frankness is demanded. No outsider can appraise such an intimate situation. It may be that both will decide at the way of good sense and loving kindness is to let bygones be bygones. Each might pray about it having the other one's happiness utmost in mind. Keep it always in sight that we are dealing with the most terrible

human condition. Jealousy. Good generalship may decide that the problem attacked on the flank rather than risk a face to face combat. If we have no such complication, there is plenty we should do at home. Sometimes we hear an alcoholic say of the only thing he needs to do is to keep sober. Certainly he must keep sober, for there will be no home if he doesn't. But he is yet a long way from making good to the wife or parents for whom years he has so shockingly

treated. Passing all understanding is the patience mothers and wives have had with alcoholics. Had this not been so many of us would have no homes today, would perhaps be dead. The alcoholic is like a tornado roaring his way through the lives of others. Hearts are broken. Sweet relationships are dead. A have been uprooted. Selfish and inconsiderate habits have kept the home in turmoil. We feel a man is unthinking when he says that sobriety is enough.

He is like the farmer who has come out of his cyclone cellar to find his home ruined. To his wife, he remarked, Don't see anything the matter here. More in a grand. The wind stopped blowing. Yes, there would be a long period of reconstruction ahead. We must take the lead. A remorseful, mumbling that we are sorry won't fill the bill at all. We ought to sit down with the family and frankly, analyze the past as we now see it. being very careful not to criticize

them. Their defects may be glaring, but the chances are that our own actions are partly responsible. So we clean house with the family, asking each morning and meditation that our creator show us the way of patience, tolerance, kindness and love. The spiritual life is not a theory. We have to live it. unless one's family expresses a desire to live upon spiritual principles, we think we ought not to urge them. We should not talk incessantly to them about spiritual matters. They will

change in time. Our behavior will convince them more than our words. We must remember that ten or 20 years of drunkenness would make a skeptic out of anyone. There may be some wrongs we can never fully right. We don't worry about them. If we can honestly say to ourselves that we would write them if we could. Some people cannot be seen. We send them an honest letter and there may be a valid reason for postponement in some cases, but we don't delay if it can be

avoided. We should be sensible, tactful, considerate and humble without being servile or scraping. As God's people, we stand on our feet. We don't crawl before anyone. If we are painstaking about this phase of

our development, we will be amazed before we are half through. We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace no matter how far down the scale we have gone. We will see how our experience can benefit others. That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear. We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows.

Self-See will slip away. Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change. Fear of people and economic insecurity will leave us. We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us. We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves. Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled among us. Sometimes. Quickly. Sometimes slowly. They will always materialize if we work for them. This thought brings us

to step ten, which suggests we continue to take personal inventory and continue to set right any new mistakes as we go along. We vigorously commence this way of living as we cleaned up the past. We have entered the world of the Spirit. Our next function is to grow in understanding and effectiveness. This is not an overnight matter. It should continue for our lifetime. Continue to watch for selfishness, dishonesty, resentment and fear. When these crop up, we ask God at once to

remove them. We discuss them with somebody immediately and make amends quickly. If we have harmed anyone, the we resolutely turn our thoughts to someone we can help. Love intolerance of others is our code, and we have ceased fighting anything or anyone. Even alcohol. For by this time sanity will have returned. We will seldom be interested in liquor. If tempted, we recoil from it as if from a hot flame. We react sanely and normally. And we will find that this has happened automatically.

We will see that our new attitude towards liquor has been given us without any thought or effort on our part. It just comes. That is the miracle of it. We are not fighting it. Neither are we avoiding temptation. We feel as though we have been placed in a position of neutrality, safe and protected. We have not even sworn off. Instead, the problem has been removed. It does not exist for us. We are neither cocky nor are we afraid. That is our experience. That is how we react

.So long as we keep and fit. Spiritual condition. It is easy to let up on the spiritual program of action and rest on our laurels. We are headed for trouble if we do. For alcohol is a subtle foe. We are not cured of alcoholism. What we really have is a daily reprieve, contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition. Every day is a day when we must carry the vision of God's will into all our activities. How can I best serve the They will not

mine be done? These are thoughts which must go with us constantly. We can exercise our willpower along this line all we wish. It is the proper use of the will. Much has already been said about receiving strength, inspirati and direction from him, who has all knowledge and power. If we have carefully followed directions, we have begun to sense the flow of his spirit into us. To some extent, we have become God conscious. We have begun to develop this vital sixth sense. But we must go

further. And that means more action. Step 11 Suggest prayer and meditation. We shouldn't shy

on this matter of prayer. Better men than we are using it constantly. It works if we have the proper attitude and work at it. It would be easy to be vague about this matter. Yet we believe we can make some definite and valuable suggestions. When we retire at night. We constructively review our day where we resentful, selfish, dishonest or frayed. Do we own apology? Have we kept something to ourselves which we should have discussed with

another person at once? Were we kind and loving towards all What could we have done better? Where we thinking of ourselves most of the time? Or were we thinking of what we could do for others, of what we could pack into the stream of life? But we must be careful not to drift into worry, remorse, or morbid reflection. For that would diminish our usefulness to others. After making our review, we ask God's forgiveness and inquire what corrective measures should be taken on awakening. Let us think

about the 24 hours ahead. We consider our plans for the day. Before we begin, we ask God to direct our thinking, especially asking that it be divorced from self-pity, dishonest or self-seeking motives. Under these conditions, we can employ our mental faculties with assurance, for after all, God gave us brains to use. Our thought life will be placed on a much higher plane when our thinking is cleared of wrong motives. In thinking about our

day, we may face indecision. We may not be able to determine which course to take. here. We ask God for inspiration and intuitive thought, or a decision We relax and take it easy. We don't struggle. We are often surprised how the right answers come after. We have tried this for a while. What used to be the hunch or the occasional inspiration gradually becomes a

working part of the mind. Being still inexperienced and having just made conscious contact with God, it is not probable that we are going to be inspired at all times. We might pay for this presumption in all sorts of absurd actions and ideas. Nevertheless, we find that our thinking will, as time passes, be more and more on the plane of inspiration. We come to rely upon it. We usually conclude the period of meditation with a prayer that we be shown all

through the day. What our next step is to be, that we be given whatever we need to take care of such problems. We ask especially for freedom from self well, and are careful to make no request for ourselves only we may ask for ourselves, however, if others will be helped. We are careful never to pray for our own selfish ends. Many of us have wasted a lot of time doing

that and it doesn't work. You can easily see why as circumstances warrant, We ask our wives, our friends to join us in mourning meditation If we belong to a religious denomination, which requires a definite morning devotion, we attend to that also. If not, members of religious bodies, we sometimes select and memorize a few set prayers which emphasize the principles we have been discussing. There are many

helpful books. Also, suggestions about these may be obtained from one's priest, minister or rabbi. Be quick to see where religious people are right. Make use of what they have to offer. As we go through the day, we pause when agitated or doubtful. We ask for the right thought or action. We constantly remind ourselves we are no longer running the show, humbly saying to ourselves many times each day thy will be done. We are then in much less danger of excitement, fear, anger, worry, self-pity,

or foolish decisions. We become much more efficient. We do not tire so easily, for we are not burning up energy foolishly as we did when we were trying to arrange life to suit ourselves. It works. It really does. We alcoholics are undisciplined, So we let God discipline us in the simple way we have just outlined. But this is not all. There is action and more action. Faith without works is dead. The next chapter is entirely devoted to step 12.