Pain and Progress

"Years ago I used to commiserate with all people who suffered. Now I commiserate only with those who suffer in ignorance, who do not understand the purpose and ultimate utility of pain."

"Someone once remarked that pain is the touchstone of spiritual progress. How heartily we A.A.'s can agree with him, for we know that the pains of alcoholism had to come before sobriety, and continued turmoil before serenity."

"Believe more deeply. Hold your face up to the Light, even though for the moment you do not see."

1. LETTER, 1950
2. TWELVE AND TWELVE, pp. 93-94