What Is AA?

AA is a spirit. It cannot be touched, nor can it be completely understood. It is as wide as the world, yet small enough to fit snugly into the hearts of women and men. It has brought light where only darkness dwelt. It has given hope to the hopeless and help to those who yearned in despair. It has nourished forgiveness in those that knew no pity. It has given strength to the weak, and humility to the strong. It has spurred to higher goals those that strove for nothing. It has taught patience to the hurried and action to the lazy. To youth it has given vision and to the aged promise. To the lonely, companions, and to the restless, rest. To the sick it has been a doctor, and to the dying it has revived the desire to live. It has no judgment against the unteachables, nor has it praise for those who learn. To the outcast it has been a family, and to the childless it has given children. To the ignorant, wisdom, and to the wise, tolerance. It has given to all men and women that which is most precious. It has given a love for truth with enough left over to share.