Honesty with ourselves & others gets us sober, but it is tolerance that keeps us that way.
Interpretation
Being honest leads to clarity and sobriety, while tolerance helps maintain it.
This quote by Bill W. emphasizes the importance of honesty in achieving personal clarity and sobriety, suggesting that recognition of one's true self is essential for recovery or personal growth. However, it also highlights that maintaining this state requires continuous tolerance, both for oneself and for others, indicating that patience and understanding are crucial in the journey towards a healthier mindset.
In practice
During a support group meeting, a member could say this quote to emphasize the importance of honesty in recovery.
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.
Almost without exception alcoholics are tortured by loneliness.
No personal calamity is so crushing that something true and great can't be made of it
Knowledge kills action; action requires the veils of illusion.
I always pass on good advice. It is the only thing to do with it. It is never of any use to oneself.
Those dreams I have at night are going to drive me crazy. Last night I dreamed that little red-haired girl and I were eating lunch together... But she's gone... She's moved away, and I don't know where she lives, and she doesn't know I even exist, and I'll never see her again... And... I wish men cried.
It's not a slam at you when people are rude, it's a slam at the people they've met before.
I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day; I'd rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way.
I would say you might encounter many defeats but you must never be defeated, ever. In fact, it might even be necessary to confront defeat. It might be necessary, to get over it, all the way through it, and go on. I would teach her to laugh a lot. Laugh a lot at the - and the silliest things and be very, very serious. I'd teach her to love life, I can bet you that.
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