December 17

December 17 – AM          Page 28-29, There Is A Solution, Chapter 2

We think it no concern of ours what religious bodies our members identify themselves with as individuals.  This should be an entirely personal affair which each one decides for himself in the light of past associations, or his present choice.  Not all of us join religious bodies, but most of us favor such memberships.
In the following chapter, there appears an explanation of alcoholism, as we understand it, then a chapter addressed to the agnostic.  Many who once were in this class are now among our members.  Surprisingly enough, we find such convictions no great obstacle to a spiritual experience.

December 17 – PM          Page 134, The Family Afterward, Chapter 9

The alcoholic may find it hard to re-establish friendly relations with his children.  Their young minds were impressionable while he was drinking.  Without saying so, they may cordially hate him for what he has done to them and to their mother.  The children are sometimes dominated by a pathetic hardness and cynicism.  They cannot seem to forgive and forget.  This may hang on for months, long after their mother has accepted dad’s new way of living and thinking.
In time they will see that he is a new man and in their own way they will let him know it.  When this happens, they can be invited to join in morning meditation and then they can take part in the daily discussion without rancor or bias.  From that point on, progress will be rapid.  Marvelous results often follow such a reunion.