Hello family, I'm Brenda, an alcoholic.

Courage? I always had it. It was just covered with a lot of junk. When talking about our fear list in the Fourth Step, the Big Book, p. 68, says, "All men of faith have courage." You know, when people share problems with me I always want to "fix, solve, and manipulate" it. Turn it around. Turn it upside down and give it back to them in a nice box that says, "All fixed!" Instead of trying to fix it, God tells me to "show them my courage." Tell them that you won't take away their pain, for it is necessary and not my job, but I will walk beside you through it. I will remain calm, encouraging, fearless. I will be kind, considerate, caring, selfless, forgiving, understanding, and loving in all areas of my life. Because it takes courage for me to be that way; because normally I'm not. I won't back down. I will stand firm and straight with this new-foundcourage. And I will try to be this courageous vessel that I see in all of you. So that one day I can go out and help people as you have helped me. Love and prayers, Brenda.

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