Gators

Someone told a story at the meeting this afternoon that he had read in the paper. An Aussie was kicked out of a pub and in his drunkeness decided he wanted to ride an alligator. He climbed into an enclosure with this 1,800 pound beast, and jumped on it like a cowboy. It's not too hard to imagine what happened next - the alligator tore chunks out of his arms and legs. Instead of seeking help for his wounds, he stumbled back to the bar looking for the next drink.

That's what alcohol does. It temps you into riding the highs, and then chews you up and spits you out. You don't realize what happened until you end up in the hospital, or jail, or in your backyard having a spiritual experience. Alcohol is the gator that attacks you in your own mind and body.

We talked about humility today, and how being sober and admitting your powerlessness over alcohol is humbling. You are an alcoholic, and you can not manage to wrestle with the gator alone. You need the fellowship of AA and the steps to guide you through recovery. AA is the bandaid, the Neosporin that will heal those self-inflicted wounds.

So stop wrestling with that gator alone. Try walking away from the bar in the other direction and head for the hospital of AA. We have coffee.