Touchstones of Spiritual Growth

The stories in this section describe the response of a few AAs to pain or adversity, and the resulting growth. As the "Twelve and Twelve" states: "Someone . . . once remarked that pain was the touchstone of all spiritual progress. How heartily we AAs can agree with him, for we know that the pains of drinking had to come before sobriety, and emotional turmoil before serenity. An honest regret for harms done, a genuine gratitude for blessings received, and a willingness to try for better things tomorrow will be the permanent assets we shall seek."