Thanks to a close relative who was recovering from alcoholism in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), I spent 20 extremely helpful years as a member of Al-Anon, the companion program for friends and families of alcoholics. It’s basically the same program, just with fewer practices meant specifically for recovering alcoholics. As it happens, besides the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions, generally read out loud at all 12 Step-related meetings, there are also the so-called 12 Slogans. They are all easily memorized and understood three-, four-, or five-worders, listed here. I’ll bet you already know a few: (1) One day at a time. (2) Live and let live. (3) How important is it? (4) Easy does it. (5) Go to any lengths. (6) Let it begin with me. (7) This too shall pass. (8) First things first. (9) Just for today. (10) Let go and let God. (11) Act as if. And (12) Progress not perfection. Of course, over the 89 years of the Program’s existence, members have added some cool sayings of their own. One website lists 82, while another has 146! Here are a few of my personal favorites: Do what you did and you’ll get what you got. God don’t make no junk. Yesterday’s history; tomorrow’s a mystery; all that’s left is the present, and, as the word says, it’s a gift. Do the next right thing. Fear is the opposite of faith. Keep coming back; it works if you work it; and you’re worth it. Have the attitude of gratitude. God is large and in charge. We came, we came to, we came to believe. Trust God, clean house, help others. Then there are a few awesome zingers: A closed mouth gathers no foot. Talk does not cook rice. Sit down, shut up, and listen. The mind is like a parachute, it works better when it’s open. [And my absolute favorite:] You can’t save your face and your ass at the same time.
In these difficult times, with the recent re-election of Donald Trump, many Americans as well as friends abroad are in some combination of shock and mourning. A number of people I know are unable to read the newspaper or watch TV news. As the President-elect names more and more of his Cabinet and chief advisors, many are wondering if our democratic Union will be able to hold. For me, working the Steps and remembering the Slogans, besides being cheaper than psychotherapy and less harmful than resorting to alcohol and drugs, which are also not cheap, stabilizes me like a ship on a storm-tossed sea. I am taking one day at a time, keeping Easy does it in mind, asking myself in the great scheme of things How important is it?, knowing that This too shall pass, and realizing that with nations as well as individuals, Progress is more likely than perfection. I also like the advice found in Proverbs 30:5: “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” My final advice to myself and to you, dear reader, is the first line of a song familiar to all of us who lived through the 60s: “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me….” May God bless all of us, America, and the world as we weather the present storm. Amen.
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