December 27 — Stinkin’ Thinkin’
Physicians who are familiar with alcoholism agree there is no such thing a
making a normal thinker out of an alcoholic. Science may one day accomplish this, but it hasn't
done so yet.
Despite all we can say, many who are real alcoholics are not going to believe they are in that
class. By every form of self- deception and experimentation, they will try to prove themselves
exceptions to the rule, therefore nonalcoholic. If anyone who is showing inability to control his thinking can do the right-about- face and think like a gentleman, our hats are off to him. Heaven
knows, we have tried hard enough and long enough to think like other people!
And there it is. That’s the problem.
My drinking wasn’t always the issue—my thinking was. Left alone, I can make a strong case for just about anything. I can justify it, dress it up, and call it reasonable without ever checking myself.
Something changes when two alcoholics get together. We may still be selfish, but at least we’re honest. Saying a thought out loud either exposes it or softens it. Sometimes I hear myself and quickly realize, Oh… that sounded better in my head. Sometimes someone else gently labels it for what it is: stinkin’ thinkin’.
That’s the gift. Not perfect thoughts—just honest ones, shared. Enough light to slow the lie down.
Left alone, my thinking runs wild.
With another alcoholic, it has to behave.
Glad I found you guys in AA.
What’s a thought that made total sense in your head—but not once you said it out loud?
