From the books ... Alcoholics Anonymous (Big Book) and Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions (12 & 12)
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to display the full page from the Big Book1.
... things.
12&12 p.64,
Step Six
2.
... things.
12&12 p.104,
Step Eleven
We say to ourselves, "This
one ought to be cured of his fatal malady," or "That one ought to be relieved of his
emotional pain," and we
pray for these specific
things.
3.
... things.
12&12 p.111,
Step Twelve
These will appear as big setbacks at the time, but will be seen later as stepping-stones to better things.
4.
... things?
12&12 p.112,
Step Twelve
5.
... things.
12&12 p.149,
Tradition Four
6.
... things.
12&12 p.155,
Tradition Six
The moment we saw that we had
an answer for alcoholism, it was reasonable (or so it seemed at the time) for us to
feel that we might have the answer to a lot of other things.
7.
... things.
BB p.10,
Bill's Story
8.
... things.
BB p.91,
Working With Others
9.
... things.
BB p.108,
To Wives
Of course, there is such a
thing as incompatibility, but in nearly every instance the alcoholic
only seems to be unloving
and inconsiderate; it is usually because he is warped and sickened that he
says and does these appalling things.
10.
... things.
BB p.132,
The Family Afterward
11.
... things.
BB p.141,
To Employers
When drinking, or getting over a bout, an alcoholic, sometimes the model of honesty when normal, will do incredible things.
12.
... things?
BB p.145,
To Employers
13.
... things.
BB p.148,
To Employers
14.
... things, a
feeling of jealousy may arise.
BB p.131,
The Family Afterward
15.
... things A.A.
would be able to do ...
12&12 p.160,
Tradition Seven
16.
... things alcoholics
are not supposed to do.
BB p.100,
Working With Others
17.
... things and
gain interest in our fellows.
BB p.84,
Into Action
18.
... things, and
sometimes this results in rebuffs ...
12&12 p.111,
Step Twelve
Here again we are presented with the temptation to overmanage things, and sometimes this results in
rebuffs and other consequences which are hard to take.
19.
... things, and
therefore no God at all.
12&12 p.97,
Step Eleven
20.
... things are
going beautifully he dismays you ...
BB p.120,
To Wives
Perhaps your husband will make a fair start on the new basis, but just as things are going beautifully he dismays you by coming home drunk.
21.
... things are
now ruined or damaged.
BB p.123,
The Family Afterward
But the head of the house has
spent years in pulling down the structures of business,
romance, friendship,
health -- these things are
now ruined or damaged.
22.
... things are
poison.
BB p.66,
How It Works
23.
... things are
possible."
12&12 p.112,
Step Twelve
24.
... things are
the substance of what we ...
12&12 p.110,
Step Twelve
To watch the eyes of men and women open with wonder as they move from darkness into light, to see their lives quickly fill with new purpose and meaning, to see whole families reassembled,
to see the alcoholic outcast received back into his community in
full citizenship, and
above all to watch these people awaken to the presence of a loving God in their lives -- these things are the substance of
what we receive as we carry A.A.'s message to the next alcoholic.
25.
... things at
all.
12&12 p.96,
Step Eleven
26.
... things began
to hum.
12&12 p.148,
Tradition Four
27.
... things, but
frankly said that he was ...
BB p.135,
The Family Afterward
28.
... things, but
in some form or other ...
BB p.55,
We Agnostics
It may be obscured by calamity, by pomp, by worship of other things, but in some form or other it is there.
29.
... things cannot
happen again.
BB p.38,
More About Alcoholism
We admit we have some of these symptoms, but we have not gone to the extremes you fellows did, nor are we likely to, for we understand ourselves
so well after what you have
told us that such things cannot happen again.
30.
... things done?
BB p.140,
To Employers
31.
... things down
good, were about to apply ...
12&12 p.148,
Tradition Four
They understood that the elders, just to nail things down good, were about to apply to the Foundation
for a charter.
32.
... Things First
BB p.135,
The Family Afterward
33.
... things followed.
BB p.63,
How It Works
34.
... things for
us which we could never ...
BB p.25,
There Is A Solution
35.
... things for
which we cannot otherwise account.
BB xxvi(xxiv),
The Doctor's Opinion
36.
... things go
disappointingly dull.
12&12 p.113,
Step Twelve
37.
Things go
well at home and office.
12&12 p.112,
Step Twelve
38.
... things got
worse.
BB p.5,
Bill's Story
39.
... things happen
we should not think too ...
12&12 p.105,
Step Eleven
40.
... things have
happened among us, they can ...
BB p.153,
A Vision For You
41.
... things he
does on his sprees.
BB p.73,
Into Action
42.
... things he
wants?
BB p.61,
How It Works
43.
... things human,
their problems pile up on ...
BB xxviii(xxvi),
The Doctor's Opinion
These allergic types can
never safely use alcohol in any form at all; and once having formed the habit and found they cannot break it, once having lost their self-confidence, their reliance upon things human, their problems pile up on them and become astonishingly difficult to solve.
44.
... things I
can, and wisdom to know ...
12&12 p.41,
Step Three
In all times of emotional disturbance
or indecision, we can pause, ask for quiet, and in the stillness
simply say: "God grant me the serenity to accept the
things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference. Thy will, not mine, be done."
45.
... things I
cannot change, courage to change ...
12&12 p.41,
Step Three
In all times of emotional disturbance
or indecision, we can pause, ask for quiet, and in the stillness
simply say: "God grant me the serenity to accept the
things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference. Thy will, not mine, be done."
46.
... things in
life, we are no longer ...
12&12 p.105,
Step Eleven
The moment we catch even a glimpse of God's will, the moment we begin to see truth, justice, and love as the real and eternal things in life, we are no longer deeply disturbed by all
the seeming evidence to
the contrary that surrounds us in purely human affairs.
47.
... things in
order to stay alive himself.
12&12 p.24,
Step One
No, the average alcoholic, self-centered in the extreme,
doesn't care for this prospect -- unless he has
to do these things in order
to stay alive himself.
48.
... things in
ourselves which had been blocking ...
BB p.64,
How It Works
Though our decision was
a vital and crucial step, it could have little permanent effect unless at once followed by a strenuous
effort to face, and to be rid of, the things in ourselves which had been blocking us.
49.
... things in
ourselves which had brought us ...
12&12 p.107,
Step Twelve
Beginning with Step Four, we commenced to search out the things in ourselves which had
brought us to physical,
moral, and spiritual bankruptcy.
50.
... things in
yourself and they will be ...
BB p.118,
To Wives
51.
... things just
before he died; these recollections ...
BB p.10,
Bill's Story
I could almost hear the sound of the preacher's voice as I sat, on still Sundays, way over there on the hillside; there was that proffered temperance
pledge I never signed; my grandfather's
good natured contempt of some church folk and their doings; his insistence that the spheres really had their music; but his denial of the
preacher's right to tell him how he must listen; his fearlessness as he spoke
of these things just before he died; these recollections welled
up from the past.
52.
... things made
us bristle with antagonism.
BB p.48,
We Agnostics
Many of us have been so touchy that even casual reference to spiritual things made us bristle with antagonism.
53.
... things, money,
and ourselves?
BB p.54,
We Agnostics
54.
... things of
life which we specified, as ...
12&12 p.31,
Step Two
Sometimes it's because
God has not delivered us
the good things of life which we specified, as
a greedy child makes an impossible list for Santa Claus.
55.
... things of
which we and others are ...
12&12 p.102,
Step Eleven
Having opened our channel
as best we can, we try to ask for those right things of which we and others are in the greatest
need.
56.
... things, often
enhance such unions.
12&12 p.119,
Step Twelve
Their common suffering
as drinkers, their common interest in A.A. and spiritual things, often enhance such unions.
57.
... things on
faith which seemed difficult to ...
BB p.47,
We Agnostics
That was great news to us,
for we had assumed we could not make use of spiritual principles
unless we accepted many things on faith which seemed difficult to believe.
58.
... things possible,
and we only smiled.
BB p.55,
We Agnostics
59.
... things right.
12&12 p.108,
Step Twelve
We had to begin to make our
peace, and so we listed the
people we had harmed and
became willing to set things right.
60.
... things safer,
the promoter organized three corporations ...
12&12 p.148,
Tradition Four
61.
... things terrified
and distracted us.
BB p.107,
To Wives
The alarming physical
and mental symptoms, the
deepening pall of remorse, depression and
inferiority that settled down on our loved ones -- these things terrified and distracted us.
62.
... things that
are constructive.
12&12 p.93,
Step Ten
63.
... things the
hard way.
BB p.121,
To Wives
64.
... things the
tissue out of which our ...
BB p.54,
We Agnostics
65.
... things, there
has been a revolutionary change ...
BB p.50,
We Agnostics
They flatly declare that
since they have come to believe in a Power greater than themselves,
to take a certain attitude toward that Power, and to do certain simple things, there has been a
revolutionary change in their way of living and thinking.
66.
... things --
these are the permanent and legitimate ...
12&12 p.124,
Step Twelve
Service, gladly rendered, obligations
squarely met, troubles well accepted or solved with God's help, the knowledge that at home or in
the world outside we are
partners in a common effort, the well-understood fact that in God's sight all human beings are important, the proof that
love freely given surely brings a full return, the certainty that
we are no longer isolated and alone in self-constructed prisons, the surety that we
need no longer be square pegs in round holes but can fit and belong in God's scheme of things -- these are
the permanent and legitimate satisfactions of right
living for which no amount of pomp and circumstance, no heap of material possessions, could possibly be substitutes.
67.
... things, they
will not take so seriously ...
BB p.127,
The Family Afterward
If they sense these things,
they will not take so seriously his periods of
crankiness, depression, or apathy,
which will disappear when
there is tolerance, love,
and spiritual understanding.
68.
... things to
all men, nor should we ...
12&12 p.157,
Tradition Six
69.
... things to
God, to ourselves, and to ...
12&12 p.78,
Step Eight
It had been embarrassing enough when in confidence
we had admitted these things to God, to ourselves, and to another
human being.
70.
... things to
ourselves.
BB p.72,
Into Action
71.
... things to
regain self-control.
BB p.26,
There Is A Solution
72.
... things to
the Father of Light who ...
BB p.14,
Bill's Story
73.
... things tomorrow
will be the permanent assets ...
12&12 p.95,
Step Ten
An honest regret for harms done, a genuine gratitude for blessings received, and
a willingness to try for
better things tomorrow will be the permanent assets we shall seek.
74.
... things was
concerned, our outlook underwent the ...
12&12 p.120,
Step Twelve
Where the possession of money and material things was concerned, our outlook underwent the same revolutionary change.
75.
... things, we
began to be possessed of ...
BB p.46,
We Agnostics
As soon as we admitted the
possible existence of
a Creative Intelligence, a Spirit
of the Universe underlying the totality
of things, we began to be possessed of a new sense of power and direction, provided we
took other simple steps.
76.
... things, we
believe we will be forgiven ...
BB p.70,
How It Works
If we are sorry for what we have done, and have the honest desire to let God take us to better things, we believe we will be forgiven and will have learned our lesson.
77.
... things we
can, And wisdom to know ...
12&12 p.125,
Step Twelve
God grant us the serenity to accept the
things we cannot change, Courage to change the things we can, And wisdom to know the difference.
78.
... things we
cannot change, Courage to change ...
12&12 p.125,
Step Twelve
God grant us the serenity to accept the
things we cannot change, Courage to change the things we can, And wisdom to know the difference.
79.
... things we
dreamed.
12&12 p.155,
Tradition Six
80.
... things we
have done, meanwhile forgiving the ...
12&12 p.82,
Step Eight
We shall want to hold ourselves to the course of admitting the
things we have done, meanwhile forgiving the
wrongs done us, real or fancied.
81.
... things well
done, and chalking up debits ...
12&12 p.89,
Step Ten
Here we cast up a balance sheet, crediting ourselves with things well done, and chalking up debits where due.
82.
... things well
done, and having searched our ...
12&12 p.95,
Step Ten
Having so considered our day, not omitting to take due note of things well done, and having searched our hearts with neither fear nor favor, we can truly thank God for the blessings we have
received and sleep in good conscience.
83.
... things were
accomplished.
12&12 p.161,
Tradition Seven
84.
... things were
done I would enter upon ...
BB p.13,
Bill's Story
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.
85.
... things, were
the essential requirements.
BB p.14,
Bill's Story
Belief in the power of God, plus enough willingness, honesty and humility to establish and maintain
the new order of things, were the essential requirements.
86.
... things were
true to some extent, in ...
BB xxvi(xxiv),
The Doctor's Opinion
87.
... things, when
such action is warranted.
BB p.98,
Working With Others
Yet we do go to great extremes to provide each other with these very things, when such action is warranted.
88.
... things which
came to us when we ...
BB p.100,
Working With Others
When we look back, we realize that the things which
came to us when we put ourselves in God's hands were better than anything we could have planned.
89.
... things which
go to make up the ...
BB p.116,
To Wives
We wives found that, like everybody else, we were afflicted with
pride, self-pity, vanity and all the things which go to make up the self-centered person; and we were not above
selfishness or dishonesty.
90.
... things which
matter so much to some ...
BB p.161,
A Vision For You
Being wrecked in the same vessel, being restored and united under one God, with hearts and minds attuned to the welfare of
others, the things which matter so much to some people no longer signify much to them.
91.
... things which
only the individual can do.
12&12 p.40,
Step Three
92.
... things which
really bother and burn us, ...
12&12 p.55,
Step Five
93.
... things which,
so far as the alcoholic ...
BB p.139,
To Employers
Drinking occasionally, and understanding your own reactions, it is possible for you to become
quite sure of many things which, so far as the alcoholic is concerned, are not always
so.
94.
... things which
then seemed entirely out of ...
BB p.47,
We Agnostics
95.
... things which
they have in common are ...
12&12 p.106,
Step Twelve
96.
... things which
we have admitted are objectionable?
BB p.76,
Into Action
97.
... things which
were superficially wrong with us, ...
12&12 p.80,
Step Eight
We can go far beyond those things which were superficially wrong
with us, to see those flaws which were basic, flaws which sometimes were
responsible for the whole pattern of our lives.
98.
... things while
drinking.
BB p.21,
There Is A Solution
99.
... things will
come to pass naturally and ...
BB p.99,
Working With Others
These things will come to pass naturally and in good time provided, however, the
alcoholic continues
to demonstrate that he can be sober, considerate, and
helpful, regardless
of what anyone says or does.
100.
... things will
happen.
BB p.100,
Working With Others
101.
... things with
all our might, but the ...
BB p.45,
We Agnostics
We could wish to be moral, we
could wish to be philosophically comforted, in fact, we could
will these things with all our
might, but the needed power
wasn't there.
102.
... things without
reference to the wishes of ...
12&12 p.164,
Tradition Seven
Foundation obtained
money from outside sources, its trustees might be tempted
to run things without reference to the
wishes of A.A. as a whole.
103.
... things worth
while in life.
BB p.18,
There Is A Solution
But not so with the alcoholic illness, for with it there goes annihilation of all
the things worth while in life.
Passages from the Big Book Alcoholics Anonymous
and the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions
are reprinted with permission of A.A. World Services, Inc.
The A.A. Preamble, copyright ©
The A.A. Grapevine, Inc., is reprinted with permission.
Permission to reprint does not in any way imply affiliation with or
endorsement by either Alcoholics Anonymous or The A.A. Grapevine, Inc.
Copyright © 2005-2012, Recovery Press LLC; All Rights Reserved.