I was not an atheist. Few people really are, for that means blind faith in the strange proposition that this universe originated in a cipher and aimlessly rushes nowhere. Bill W. More Quotes by Bill W. More Quotes From Bill W. No matter how unreasonable others may seem, I am responsible for not reacting negatively. Regardless of what is happening around me I will always have the prerogative, and the responsibility, of choosing what happens within me. I am the creator of my own reality. When I [review my day], I know that I must stop judging others. If I judge others, I am probably judging myself. Whoever is upsetting me most is my best teacher. I have much to learn from him or her, and in my hearts, I should thank that person. Bill W. responsibility heart teacher Is sobriety all that we are to expect of a spiritual awakening? No, sobriety is only a bare beginning; it is only the first gift of the first awakening. If more gifts are to be received, our awakening has to go on. As it does go on, we find that bit by bit we can discard the old life - the one that did not work - for a new life that can and does work under any conditions whatever. Bill W. sobriety spiritual doe It must never be forgotten that the purpose of Alcoholics Anonymous is to sober up alcoholics. There is no religious or spiritual requirement for membership. No demands are made on anyone. An experience is offered which members may accept or reject. That is up to them. Bill W. acceptance religious spiritual True ambition is not what we thought it was. True ambition is the profound desire to live usefully and walk humbly under the grace of God. Bill W. ambition grace profound Honesty with ourselves & others gets us sober, but it is tolerance that keeps us that way. Bill W. tolerance honesty way Guilt is really the reverse side of the coin of pride. Guilt aims at self-destruction, and pride aims at the destruction of others. Bill W. guilt pride self-esteem I try hard to hold fast to the truth that a full and thankful heart cannot entertain great conceits. When brimming with gratitude, one's heartbeat must surely result in outgoing love, the finest emotion we can ever know. Bill W. gratitude appreciation inspirational You are asking yourself, as all of us must: 'Who am I?' . . . 'Where am I?' . . . 'Whence do I go?' The process of enlightenment is usually slow. But, in the end, our seeking always brings a finding. These great mysteries are, after all, enshrined in complete simplicity. Bill W. enlightenment simplicity asking Nowadays my brain no longer races compulsively in either elation, grandiosity, or depression. I have been given a quiet place in bright sunshine. Bill W. sunshine race brain For the wise have always known that no one can make much of his life until self-searching has become a regular habit, until he is able to admit and accept what he finds, and until he patiently and persistently tries to correct what is wrong. Bill W. self wise patience How dark it is before the dawn! In reality that was the beginning of my last debauch. I was soon to be catapulted into what I like to call the fourth dimension of existence. I was to know happiness, peace, and usefulness, in a way of life that is incredibly more wonderful as time passes. Bill W. dawn dark reality Nothing can be more demoralizing than a clinging and abject dependence upon another human being. This often amounts to the demand for a degree of protection and love that no one could possibly satisfy. So our hoped for protectors finally flee, and once more we are left alone - either to grow up or to disintegrate. Bill W. degrees growing-up and-love No personal calamity is so crushing that something true and great can't be made of it Bill W. calamity crush made In God's economy, nothing is wasted. Through failure, we learn a lesson in humility which is probably needed, painful though it is. Bill W. recovery humility inspirational Almost without exception alcoholics are tortured by loneliness. Bill W. alcoholics exception loneliness We know that permanent sobriety can be attained only by a most revolutionary change in the life and outlook of the individual. Bill W. sobriety individual revolutionary AA is no success story in the ordinary sense of the word. It is a story of suffering transmuted, under grace, into spiritual progress. Bill W. grace suffering spiritual Because of our kinship in suffering, our channels of contact have always been charged with the language of the heart. Bill W. language suffering heart We lose the fear of making decisions, great and small; as we realize that should our choice prove wrong we can, if we will, learn from the experience. Bill W. recovery choices inspirational Learning how to live in the greatest peace, partnership, and brotherhood with all men and women, of whatever description, is a moving and fascinating adventure. Bill W. adventure men moving
