“Most of us sense that real tolerance of other people’s shortcomings and viewpoints and a respect for their opinions are attitudes which make us more useful to others.” (Page 19, Big Book)
When I’m in my right mind, I leave everyone be, particularly
anyone who disagrees with me, does things differently, wants to argue, or has
the hump.
“This all meant, of course, that we had substituted negative for positive thinking.” (Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions)
“Don’t concern yourself with the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, because the devil will keep you very busy with the evil and you won’t have any time for the good.” (Frances Hogan)
As soon as I’m in the business of looking at the world, at
its good and evil, dividing things up between the two, and then fighting for
the good against the evil, or fighting the evil for a good end, I’m engaged in
the battle. The devil loves this. Most newspapers and most political
conversations seem, to me, to concern evil and how to fix it. A dubious luxury
for others, but not for me.
I can be consumed with one resentment because something has
not gone my way, even though ninety-nine other things, which might be difficult
or challenging but are not, are operating perfectly well. I can be upset with
Susan or Bobby, with my home group, with my job, with society, with my country,
even though most aspects of each are just fine.
This is so habitual and widespread it seems normal, but it
is really a collective insanity, and the devil is simply thrilled.
AA has taught me to live in the solution, which results in
the problem going away.
So: no problem-solving. Only solution-living.
This keeps me away from the tree and the apple.