Page 34 - The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous

BILL’S STORY 13
worldly clamors, mostly those within myself. And so
it had been ever since. How blind I had been.
At the hospital I was separated from alcohol for the
last time. Treatment seemed wise, for I showed signs
of delirium tremens.
There I humbly offered myself to God, as I then
understood Him, to do with me as He would. I placed
myself unreservedly under His care and direction. I
admitted for the first time that of myself I was noth-
ing; that without Him I was lost. I ruthlessly faced my
sins and became willing to have my new-found Friend
take them away, root and branch. I have not had a
drink since.
My schoolmate visited me, and I fully acquainted
him with my problems and deficiencies. We made a
list of people I had hurt or toward whom I felt resent-
ment. I expressed my entire willingness to approach
these individuals, admitting my wrong. Never was I
to be critical of them. I was to right all such matters
to the utmost of my ability.
I was to test my thinking by the new God-conscious-
ness within. Common sense would thus become un-
common sense. I was to sit quietly when in doubt,
asking only for direction and strength to meet my
problems as He would have me. Never was I to pray
for myself, except as my requests bore on my useful-
ness to others. Then only might I expect to receive.
But that would be in great measure.
My friend promised when these things were done I
would enter upon a new relationship with my Creator;
that I would have the elements of a way of living
which answered all my problems. Belief in the power
of God, plus enough willingness, honesty and humility