Change, that old nemesis of the alcoholic. I was thinking about this today and the solution; surrender and acceptance. In other words, humility.
Dr. Silkworth talked and wrote about this. He said that if the alcoholic could learn to surrender, he could stop drinking. Dr. Thieboult went further. He talked about the sober alcoholic and the discipline of surrender.
We’re told we surrender to win. But the idea of surrender is foreign to the alcoholic. Even when we surrender to our alcoholism, it’s still not an easy task. Yet, we’re also told that the same man will drink again. And for us to drink is to die. So, change is a must. And the one constant in our sober lives is change. We’re always changing, or else.
When I came in, all I was prepared to do was to stop drinking. The status quo was good enough for me. Then, I was told that staying the same without change would be fatal. That did it. It changed my mind, or at least it was the beginning. And it has continued through the years. It’s still going on. It’s the process. A spiritual process. But, like I said, change isn’t easy. Not for me anyway. But then, I see it as necessary, if I want to stay sober.
If anything gives me pause is that word humility. I know it’s something we’re supposed to aim for, but it’s not something I see myself ever achieving. But, with God’s help, I will try to keep my eye on trying to focus on the words “the discipline of surrender”. After all, it’s all about sobriety. And, it’s just for today.
Anyway, I was thinking about this tonight.