Page 88 - The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous

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HOW IT WORKS 67
Though we did not like their symptoms and the way
these disturbed us, they, like ourselves, were sick too.
We asked God to help us show them the same toler­
ance, pity, and patience that we would cheerfully
grant a sick friend. When a person offended we said
to ourselves, “This is a sick man. How can I be helpful
to him? God save me from being angry. Thy will be
done.’’
We avoid retaliation or argument. We wouldn’t
treat sick people that way. If we do, we destroy our
chance of being helpful. We cannot be helpful to all
people, but at least God will show us how to take a
kindly and tolerant view of each and every one.
Referring to our list again. Putting out of our minds
the wrongs others had done, we resolutely looked for
our own mistakes. Where had we been selfish, dis­
honest, self-seeking and frightened? Though a situa­
tion had not been entirely our fault, we tried to
disregard the other person involved entirely. Where
were we to blame? The inventory was ours, not the
other man’s. When we saw our faults we listed them.
We placed them before us in black and white. We
admitted our wrongs honestly and were willing to set
these matters straight.
Notice that the word “fear’’ is bracketed alongside the
difficulties with Mr. Brown, Mrs. Jones, the employer,
and the wife. This short word somehow touches about
every aspect of our lives. It was an evil and corroding
thread; the fabric of our existence was shot through
with it. It set in motion trains of circumstances which
brought us misfortune we felt we didn’t deserve. But
did not we, ourselves, set the ball rolling? Sometimes