Fred's story in the book Alcoholics Anonymous (pages 39 to 43) is interesting because he's smart, nice, competent, emotionally mature, successful, and having a nice day.
Then he drinks again.
That means he did not drink again because he was stupid, nasty, incompetent, emotionally immature, unsuccessful, or having a horrible day.
It also means that, for me to get and stay sober, I don't need to become smart, nice, competent, emotionally mature, or successful or have a nice day, although these may be by-products.
To get and stay sober I have to drop my old ideas, go to God like a child, and be led.
Then he drinks again.
That means he did not drink again because he was stupid, nasty, incompetent, emotionally immature, unsuccessful, or having a horrible day.
It also means that, for me to get and stay sober, I don't need to become smart, nice, competent, emotionally mature, or successful or have a nice day, although these may be by-products.
To get and stay sober I have to drop my old ideas, go to God like a child, and be led.