Fire The Old Boss

Step we are on: Three

Chapter: 5 "How It Works"

Subject: Playing God, Selfishness, Keystone, New Employer

Good morning we are on page 62.  Is AA for quitters? Lets see.

• What are most good ideas?

Most good ideas are simple,

• What does this decision prove to be?

and this concept was the keystone of the new and triumphant arch

Keystone - the stone at the topmost point of an arch, which holds the whole structure in place. The Winston Simplified Dictionary – 1938

This is the first mention of this "arch.” It will be mentioned again later and is one of many allegorical devices used in the narrative of the Big Book.

Triumphal arches have historical significance and are associated with ancient Rome. They were used to commemorate victorious such as the founding of new colonies, the completion of major construction projects like roads and bridges and sometimes the accession of a new emperor to the throne.

The arch is considered to be the most important invention in architecture due to its strength, simplicity and economy and has become a favorite symbol - even a logo - for organizations, institutions and individuals for what it can represent: Winning, victory and new beginnings. 
 

At the time of the writing of this book, the vision of famous victory marches around or under the Arc de Triomphe France were vivid. The Germans in 1871, the French in 1919 - then later the Nazis in 1940, and the French and Allies in 1944 and 1945.

This is significant in that this simple visual also makes an important point about the triumph and victory over alcohol that the co-authors experienced. 

The next sentence gets directly to it.

• Through which we pass to what?

through which we passed to freedom.

Page 63

• What happens when we become serious about this Program?  

When we sincerely took such a position, all sorts of remarkable things followed.

As if the removal of the desire to drink wasn’t enough! 

• What did we now have?

We had a new Employer.

The old Boss is history. The old boss is the Devil. Do you remember in Bills story (page 11) he referred to the Devil as "Boss Universal", who had him in his grips? 

The need to terminate employment with the Devil is clear.  Maybe AA is for "quitters" after all?

Tomorrow

• What is He?
• What does our new Boss provide?
• Does He do this no matter what?
• Established on this footing, what is promised?  Two sentences
• As we feel the new Power flow in, what else is promised?

Peace and Love,

Danny S – RLRA

Real Live Recovered Alcoholic

http://stepelevencomesalive.blogspot.com/