February 21

February 21 – AM          Page 47, We Agnostics, Chapter 4

That was great news to us, for we had assumed we could not make use of spiritual principles unless we accepted many things on faith which seemed difficult to believe.  When people presented us with spiritual approaches, how frequently did we all say, “I wish I had what that man has.  I’m sure it would work if I could only believe as he believes.  But I cannot accept as surely true the many articles of faith which are so plain to him.”  So it was comforting to learn that we could commence at a simpler level.

February 21 – PM          Page 139, To Employers, Chapter 10

If you desire to help it might be well to disregard your own drinking, or lack of it. Whether you are a hard drinker, a moderate drinker or a teetotaler, you may have some pretty strong opinions, perhaps prejudices.  Those who drink moderately may be more annoyed with an alcoholic than a total abstainer would be.  Drinking occasionally, and understanding your own reactions, it is possible for you to become quite sure of many things which, so far as the alcoholic is concerned, are not always so.  As a moderate drinker, you can take your liquor or leave it alone.  Whenever you want to, you control your drinking. Of an evening, you can go on a mild bender, get up in the morning, shake your head and go to business.  To you, liquor is no real problem.  You cannot see why it should be to anyone else, save the spineless and stupid.
When dealing with an alcoholic, there may be a natural annoyance that a man could be so weak, stupid and irresponsible.  Even when you understand the malady better, you may feel this feeling rising.