Page 96 - The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous

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INTO ACTION 75
that he will not try to change our plan. But we must
not use this as a mere excuse to postpone.
When we decide who is to hear our story, we waste
no time. We have a written inventory and we are pre­
pared for a long talk. We explain to our partner what
we are about to do and why we have to do it. He
should realize that we are engaged upon a life-and-
death errand. Most people approached in this way
will be glad to help; they will be honored by our
confidence.
We pocket our pride and go to it, illuminating every
twist of character, every dark cranny of the past. Once
we have taken this step, withholding nothing, we are
delighted. We can look the world in the eye. We can
be alone at perfect peace and ease. Our fears fall from
us. We begin to feel the nearness of our Creator. We
may have had certain spiritual beliefs, but now we be­
gin to have a spiritual experience. The feeling that
the drink problem has disappeared will often come
strongly. We feel we are on the Broad Highway,
walking hand in hand with the Spirit of the Universe.
Returning home we find a place where we can be
quiet for an hour, carefully reviewing what we have
done. We thank God from the bottom of our heart
that we know Him better. Taking this book down
from our shelf we turn to the page which contains the
twelve steps. Carefully reading the first five proposals
we ask if we have omitted anything, for we are build­
ing an arch through which we shall walk a free man
at last. Is our work solid so far? Are the stones prop­
erly in place? Have we skimped on the cement put
into the foundation? Have we tried to make mortar
without sand?