April 16

ANGER: A "DUBIOUS LUXURY"

If we were to live, we had to be free of anger. The grouch and the barnstorm were not for us. They may be the dubious luxury of the normal men, but for alcoholics these things are poison.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 66

     "Dubious luxury." How often have I remembered those word. It's not just anger that's best left to nonalcoholic; I built a list including justifiable resentment, self-pity, judgmentalism, self-righteousness, false pride and false humility. I'm always surprised to read the actual quote. So well have the principles of the program been drummed into me that I keep thinking all of these defects are listed too. Thank god I can't afford them- or I surely would indulge in them.