Straight Shots

THE BATTLE OF THE BOTTLE is probably the only one you can win by giving up. . . You can't get drunk if you're working any one of the Twelve Steps at any given time. . . It's the little things that throw us. You've heard of people tripping over curbstones; did you ever hear of anyone tripping over Pike's Peak?. . . As far as booze is concerned, Mr. Newcomer, you're not giving up anything. You're getting rid of something. . . How does the AA program work? The answer is in the very word HOW--Honesty, Open-mindedness, Willingness. . . Have a definition of an alcoholic: someone who takes a drink he doesn't want. . . You can't find God? No wonder. God isn't lost. . . Happiness is a thing called now. . . Don't let yourself be concerned because others have more time on this deal than you have. We heard a so-called old-timer say there's no such thing as an old-timer, that the oldest person in AA is the fellow who got up earliest this morning. . . Don't worry about tomorrow. God is already there. . . Simple truth: To stop drinking you gotta stop drinking. . . Being slightly alcoholic is like being slightly pregnant. Impossible. You is or you ain't. . . You gotta help the newcomer. But remember that your job is to carry the message, not the alcoholic. This is a spiritual, not a financial program. . . Being in AA makes for such comfortable living. What a pleasure it is to get up these days and say "Good morning, God" instead of "Good God! Morning!"