Keep It Simple Stupid
The AA Program is filled with acronyms. When new to the Program I wondered why grown men and women were so enamored with them. K.I..S.S., or Keep It Simple Stupid, is one of the more well-known ones.
I soon discovered that they are more than simple words. They can lead the way to a wonderful, comfortable way of living that I never knew existed before.
We have talked before about the AA Program being a simple program for complicated folks. The problem that many have with this is knowing the difference between simple and easy. Google defines simple as “easily understood or done; presenting NO difficulty” while defining easy as “presenting FEW difficulties.”
The difficulties enter this situation of getting and keeping sober when alcohol is added to the equation. Many of the other alcoholics that I have talked with over the years shared a similar trait with me. That of having problems dealing with life coming at us. Starting with the big things and ending up with even the smallest of problems.
I was always reading between the lines when someone was talking. I was trying to see what they “really” meant. If someone said something simple to me I was always looking for the problem. The “Real” meaning.
Even a compliment directed at me was met with the feeling of “what did they really mean?” Or else a long dissertation on why I didn’t deserve the compliment.
Many people, especially alcoholics, can not take compliments well. We blow off so many kind words and then wonder why no one says nice things to us anymore.
The 12 Steps of this amazing program are very simple in their makeup. There is no hidden meaning between the lines. It is put out straightforwardly and still, we are suspicious of what it really means.
Step 1 says that we were powerless over alcohol and that our lives had become unmanageable. End of pondering this. Simplicity says either we are or are not. End of story, right?
OK, let’s make it harder and add some difficulty such as “I can quit any time that I want.” Or “I still have a family and job so my life is not totally unmanageable!” Then there’s “I’m not as bad as some that I know!”
Simple to understand but not always easy to do! Simply accept the facts as they are and move on.
Steps 2 and 3 talk about a Higher Power. And I thought “But my God is a judging, punishing God.” I didn’t know if I wanted anything to do with this God.
Simply think of all of the natural phenomena that can not be explained by what a human can not perform. And so-called miracles that occur. How can anyone not believe that there is some sort of Power much bigger than any of us?
How do we begin, then, if we are less than believers? Try “faking it until you make it” or “pretend” to believe and move on with your life. Once again, simple but not always easy.
Why do we have problems believing something can be this good? Especially for us? Because we are recalling past very bad experiences and possibly being filled with dread and guilt because we just know that it will happen again.
Our past clouds and soils our presents. For me, the best thing to do was not to think too much. Live in the now. My best thinking got me into the messes of my life.
At this point, we truly know right from wrong. So simply go on the assumption that if it feels right, it is right so just do it.
If you are apprehensive at all, postpone or cease doing it completely. The simpler we keep it the more comfortable we are.
Thank you, God!
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