“Two mice fall into a pot of cream. One soon gives up and drowns. The second, however, continues to paddle with all its strength, and successfully so: the cream turns into butter, and the mouse survives.” (German tale)
“The faith and sincerity of both you and your husband will be put to the test. These workouts should be regarded as part of your education, for thus you will be learning to live. You will make mistakes, but if you are in earnest they will not drag you down. Instead, you will capitalize them. A better way of life will emerge when they are overcome.” (Chapter 8, Big Book)
“We are sure God wants us to be happy, joyous, and free. We cannot subscribe to the belief that this life is a vale of tears, though it once was just that for many of us. But it is clear that we made our own misery. God didn’t do it. Avoid then, the deliberate manufacture of misery, but if trouble comes, cheerfully capitalize it as an opportunity to demonstrate His omnipotence.” (Chapter 9, Big Book)
“Henry Ford once made a wise remark to the effect that experience is the thing of supreme value in life. That is true only if one is willing to turn the past to good account. We grow by our willingness to face and rectify errors and convert them into assets. The alcoholic’s past thus becomes the principal asset of the family and frequently it is almost the only one!” (Chapter 8, Big Book)
Whatever others have experienced sober is converted into lessons that can help me. Whatever I’ve experienced sober is converted into lessons that can potentially help others in a similar situation.