A well-known story in the book “Alcoholics Anonymous” was written by Doctor Paul on acceptance. In his writing, he says, “Nothing, absolutely nothing. happens in God’s world by mistake.” To many in recovery from alcohol, this statement is the most profound and meaningful in the entire book. I don’t think Doctor Paul knew his writing would help so many. I’ve based my life on this statement over the past thirty years. Everything that has happened is happening now, and what’s about to happen has a purpose or is a puzzle piece in the grand scheme. Doctor Paul knew how important it was for me to learn this simple truth as early in recovery as possible.

Today, there are no mistakes. Returning to my childhood, I see how each event fits perfectly into the next. It has all come together into a story that’s perfect in every way. It’s the story of my life, and only I can understand the meaning of what transpired.

When my father died in a car accident when I was twelve, I couldn’t have imagined how this tragedy would fit into my story. Now that I am seventy-three years old, it fits in its proper place. That event started my slide into the darkness, but I did survive. I didn’t grieve his death for fifty years. When my first son died at birth, it took forty-five years to grieve that. Where is the lesson? Now, I see that I suffered needlessly because I never reached out for help. Today, I use my experience with death to help others not to do as I did.

When I lost the self-help bookstore that I had worked so hard to make a success in, I didn’t see that lesson either until later. That lesson was not to trust my feelings in objects that cannot succeed or items that will wear out of break.

When I started reaching out for help during tough times, my grieving process became much quicker, and I didn’t suffer needlessly.