We
see
so
many
people
in
meetings,
and
out
on
the
streets,
still
stumbling
around
with
the
program,
hurting,
whining
and
crying,
still
all
covered
up
with
the
Great
3
S's
of
our
disease,
Self-pity,
Self-righteousness,
and
Self-Bullsh*t,
and
wondering
why
they
can't
get
"IT"
.
.
.
In
every
meeting
the
Prescription
is
read
and
heard
and
referred
to,
on
the
walls
in
posters.
It
is
spelled
out
precisely
in
the
BigBook
on
Pages
59
and
60.
Unwilling
to
disregard
fear,
and
the
7
deadlies
mentioned
in
the
12x12
on
page
48,
you
know,
pride,
greed,
lust,
anger,
gluttony,
envy
and
SLOTH
,
people
trouble
themselves
in
vain
to
read
the
teachings.
They
see
the
prescription,
but
don't
take
the
medicine
---
How
then
can
they
do
away
with
their
illness?"
From
the
Big
Book
Page
72,
Chapter
6,
INTO
ACTION
.
.
.
"In
actual
practice,
we
usually
find
a
solitary
self-appraisal
insufficient.
Many
of
us
thought
it
necessary
to
go
much
farther.
We
will
be
more
reconciled
to
discussing
ourselves
with
another
person
when
we
see
good
reasons
why
we
should
do
so.
The
best
reason
first:
If
we
skip
this
vital
step,
we
may
not
overcome
drinking.
Time
after
time
newcomers
have
tried
to
keep
to
themselves
certain
facts
about
their
lives.
Trying
to
avoid
this
humbling
experience,
they
have
turned
to
easier
methods.
Almost
invariably
they
got
drunk.
Having
persevered
with
the
rest
of
the
program,
they
wondered
why
they
fell.
We
think
the
reason
is
that
they
never
completed
their
housecleaning.
They
took
inventory
all
right,
but
hung
on
to
some
of
the
worst
items
in
stock.
They
only
thought
they
had
lost
their
egoism
and
fear;
they
only
thought
they
had
humbled
themselves.
But
they
had
not
learned
enough
of
humility,
fearlessness
and
HONESTY,
in
the
sense
we
find
it
necessary,
until
they
told
someone
else
ALL
of
their
life
story.
As
it
was
told
to
me,
"Until
someone
in
AA
knows
everything
you
know
about
yourself,
you
are
nowhere."
WHY???
Because,
until
the
steps
are
done
thoroughly,
and
the
garbage
resolved
and
eliminated,
the
old
thought
system
still
has
a
basis
for
return.
And
they
still
wonder
why
they
are
not
Getting
"IT"
"Half-measures
availed
us
nothing!!"
On
Page
98
of
the
Big
Book,
"Burn
the
idea
into
the
consciousness
of
every
man
[and
woman]
that
he
[she]
can
get
well
regardless
of
anyone.
The
only
condition
is
that
he
[she]
trust
in
God
and
clean
house."
The
Steps
of
the
Program
are
the
Mops
and
Brooms
to
Clean
House.
It
isn't
any
secret,
friends,
it
is
all
spelled
out
clearly.
There
are
12
things
to
do,
and
one
to
not
do,
no
matter
what.
If
the
steps
are
not
done,
and
done
thoroughly,
then
the
individual
must
live
with
the
consequences
of
that
decision
or
lack
of
decision
.
.
.
Sorry
about
that,
but
that
is
the
way
it
is,
One
Day
At
A
Time.
