Page 174 - The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous

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A VISION FOR YOU 153
commence shoulder to shoulder your common journey.
Then you will know what it means to give of yourself
that others may survive and rediscover life. You will
learn the full meaning of “Love thy neighbor as thy­
self.”
It may seem incredible that these men are to be­
come happy, respected, and useful once more. How
can they rise out of such misery, bad repute and hope­
lessness? The practical answer is that since these
things have happened among us, they can happen
with you. Should you wish them above all else, and
be willing to make use of our experience, we are sure
they will come. The age of miracles is still with us.
Our own recovery proves that!
Our hope is that when this chip of a book is
launched on the world tide of alcoholism, defeated
drinkers will seize upon it, to follow its suggestions.
Many, we are sure, will rise to their feet and march
on. They will approach still other sick ones and
fellowships of Alcoholics Anonymous may spring up
in each city and hamlet, havens for those who must
find a way out.
In the chapter “Working With Others” you gathered
an idea of how we approach and aid others to health.
Suppose now that through you several families have
adopted this way of life. You will want to know more
of how to proceed from that point. Perhaps the best
way of treating you to a glimpse of your future will be
to describe the growth of the fellowship among us.
Here is a brief account:
Years ago, in 1935, one of our number made a
journey to a certain western city. From a business
standpoint, his trip came off badly. Had he been suc­