Courage to change the things I can
And the wisdom to know the difference
The dictionary that I have (WordWeb) has 11 different definitions for the word "accept".
The first one is: Verb - to consider or hold as true
The definitions for the word "serenity" are:
1) a disposition free from stress or emotion
2) the absence of mental stress or anxiety
The definitions of alcoholic are:
Adjective - 1) characteristic of or containing alcohol
2) addicted to alcohol
Noun - 1) a person who drinks alcohol to excess habitually
One of the definitions of "habit" is:
2) Noun - (psychology) an automatic pattern of behavior in reaction to a specific situation; may be inherited or acquired through frequent repetition.
Today I accept the fact that I am an alcoholic and that I am completely powerless over alcohol. I have proven to myself, and anyone who knows me, both of these facts.
Powerless over alcohol doesn't mean I am am a slave to alcohol. I am only governed by alcohol if I drink it. It means that if I want to have a life, I must simply avoid alcohol. Sounds simple, huh?
I can't change the fact that I am an alcoholic or that I am powerless over alcohol, but I choose to accept it as fact. It was a great relief to me when I finally became convinced of Step1...that I am powerless over alcohol and my life is unmanageable. It was a relief because I now have a solid starting point for progressing through the rest of the Twelve Steps of the program of Alcoholics Anonymous.
I've heard the question about whether alcoholism is hereditary and inherited, or is something developed during life. I don't know what research has been done on that question or if any conclusions have been made. I do know however that I don't give a hoot how I became an alcoholic, what concerns me is what I do about it. I am embracing the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous into my life and fashioning my life around AA to achieve and maintain sobriety.
