Page 100 - The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous

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INTO ACTION 79
Maybe we are divorced, and have remarried but
haven’t kept up the alimony to number one. She is
indignant about it, and has a warrant out for our ar­
rest. That’s a common form of trouble too.
Although these reparations take innumerable forms,
there are some general principles which we find guid­
ing. Reminding ourselves that we have decided to go
to any lengths to find a spiritual experience, we ask
that we be given strength and direction to do the right
thing, no matter what the personal consequences 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. There­
fore, 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. Be­
cause of resentment and drinking, he had not paid ali­
mony to his first wife. She was furious. She went to
court and got an order for his arrest. He had com­
menced 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 noth­
ing for either family. We suggested he write his first
wife admitting 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 has long
since been adjusted.