My name is Ken, and I'm an alcoholic.

I've learned so much in this program, and one of those things is how much I was ego-driven. When I was active, it was mind over matter ... I didn't mind, and nobody mattered! I took and did what I wished from wherever and whom ever was nearest. I was very upset at times because I had the answer and nobody would listen. Didn't they know? Well, I guess not, huh? I sure didn't ... that's for sure. Poor, poor me. Self-pity: a self-indulgent dwelling on one's own sorrows or misfortunes. Self-indulgent, indeed. Me! Me! Me! I hear there are about 1.5 billion people living in China, and not one of them know who Ken is ... or care! I was a 'Jehovah's Bystander.' I believed in God but I just didn't want to get involved. Today, I'm trying to understand. I heard a definition of alkies which struck me: Egomaniacs with an inferiority complex. Up and down. Ego-driven is not much fun, it led me to bitterness and anger. Today I try to be polite to others. Even if they choose to ignore me, I will still say hello. Their problem is not my problem. My problem is how I deal with things. Service work helps me with that. I can get out of myself and think of others.

Thank you all for being here today.