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/

The How and The Why Of It

Step we are on: Three

Chapter: 5 "How It Works"

Subject: Playing God, Selfishness, Self-centeredness, morality, philosophy

• We must have what?

We had to have God's help.

Page 62 - continued

• What is the first thing we must do?  First two sentences

This is the how and why of it. First of all, we had to quit playing God.

• Why?

It didn't work.

• What did we then decide?

Next, we decided that hereafter in this drama of life, God was going to be our Director.

• If He is the Principal, what are we?

He is the Principal; we are His agents.

• If He is the Father, what are we?

He is the Father, and we are His children

Peace and  Love,

Danny S – RLRA

Real Live Recovered Alcoholic

http://stepelevencomesalive.blogspot.com/

The Failure of Learning Morality and Philosophy

Step we are on: Three

Chapter: 5 "How It Works"

Subject: Playing God, The Actor, Selfishness, Self-centeredness, morality, philosophy

• How can we be rid of this selfishness?

God makes that possible.

• What alternatives are there?

And there often seems no way of entirely getting rid of self without His aid.

• Do many of us have a high standard of values?

Many of us had moral and philosophical convictions galore,

• How well do we live up to our own values?

but we could not live up to them even though we would have liked to.

Sometimes we hear folks say, "I came from a good family. I had a good upbringing," and yet still they do not know why it is they became alcoholic.

• What can we not reduce through our own willpower?

Neither could we reduce our self-centeredness much by wishing or trying on our own power.

Trying to install our own "goodness" is a futile effort. Learning in this “study” won’t do it. Reading spiritual books won't either. Multiple inventories, playing musical sponsors, switching groups, taking on more and more service work, amassing spiritual philosophy won't do it. These activities represent trying by our own willpower. 

While these things may give the impression we are doing something for our own good and for the good of others, ultimately they are all based on ambitious self-will. 

Such activities only mimic the 12 Step "into action" idea, while enlarging the dark nature inside us called Ego - all in the name of spirituality. Maybe even in the name of God. 

The shedding of selfishness is not something we can work out through our own willful actions. We cannot become good by acting good.

But the next line tells us how it does happen. 

We will do it tomorrow.

Peace and  Love,

Danny S – RLRA

Real Live Recovered Alcoholic

http://stepelevencomesalive.blogspot.com/

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Selfish Alcoholics are Dying

Step we are on: Three

Chapter: 5 "How It Works"

Subject: Playing God, The Actor, Selfishness, Self-centeredness

Read Time: 1.5 mins

Good morning. The co-authors are showing us where our troubles are rooted.

• Do others - people, places, and things – create our problems?

So our troubles, we think, are basically of our own making.

• Where do they come from?

They arise out of ourselves,

• What is the alcoholic an extreme example of?

and the alcoholic is an extreme example of self-will run riot,

• Do alcoholics typically see this truth?

though he usually doesn't think so.

• Above everything, what must happen?

Above everything, we alcoholics must be rid of this selfishness.

Selfish – When our actions are activated by - or we become absorbed with, our own interests without regard to the rights, comfort or happiness of others—placing our wishes or advantage first.

• Why is that so important?

We must, or it kills us!

Comment:  And they said, “There are no “musts” in the Program of Alcoholics Anonymous”    Well, here are two of them!

This is a matter of life and death.

Placing our own interest ahead of the rights comforts and happiness of others will kill us. A person who goes through life stepping on the toes of his fellows, boorishly muddling through life, self-absorbed, unaware, without a clue – like Mr. Magoo unaware of the trail of crashed cars he's caused in his wake – is slowly dying.

TOMORROW

• How can we be rid of this selfishness?
• What alternatives are there?
• Do many of us have a high standard of values?
• How well do we live up to our own values?
• What can we not reduce through our own willpower?

Peace and Love,

Danny S – RLRA

Real Live Recovered Alcoholic

http://stepelevencomesalive.blogspot.com/