Recently, I have been perusing literature from 12 step recovery programs. As most of you know, I'm an alcoholic/drug addict in the recovery program ETA (Every Thing Anonymous) so any literature is 'approved literature'. I even quote from trashy novels, catalogues and children's books if there is something in them that I find useful in keeping myself clean and sober. However, today's topic comes from the book Alcoholics Anonymous and can be found under The Doctor's Opinion, page XXX. (Yeah, I know; Triple X. Let's not go there right now.) "They are over-remorseful and make many resolutions, but never a decision."
Believe it or not, I'm pretty sure I understand what these few words mean, and not only for the purposes of staying clean and sober. This is how I interpret them.
A resolution is having a defined goal of what one wishes to accomplish. A decision is establishing a plan of action on how to achieve the goal.
A resolution is rather like this: "I'm going to quit boozing and using." Okay, how are you going to do this? "I'm just going to stop." What are you going to do? "I'm just never going to booze or use again."
A decision is like this: "I'm going to quit boozing and using." Okay, how are you going to do this? "I'm going to join a 12 step recovery program, go to the meetings and get a sponsor to guide me through the steps."
What does the quote mean to you? How do you understand these words? I'm interested in learning other people's interpretations.
Have a good and sober day.
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Hmmmmmmm I like your description. It seems to me that the resolutions I made were all reactive. I had a bad night, was beat-up and tired, and said, "never again!" But making the decision, and making it stick, had to be proactive. Like you said, "I'm going to join a 12 step recovery program, go to the meetings and get a sponsor to guide me through the steps." A good and sober day to you, too!
ReplyDeleteA decision is something that requires I take some action, move forward, do something about a situation. A resolution is simply a statement about what I would like to do--like a New Year's Resolution to lose weight. Most resolutions are just words without the action.
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