Then my parents, schools and society began filling me with their ideas about how to be happy: win at any cost, conform to the norm, strive to be the best, keep my nose to the grindstone, security was having a lot of money, etc, etc. Happiness would be mine if only I drove the right car, wore the right clothes, lived in the right neighborhood, went to the right school, had the right job, married the right woman and used the right underarm deodorant. 

Because it seemed that these ideas were working for other people, I tried every one of them, some over and over. When they failed to bring me any kind lasting happiness, I came to believe that there must be something wrong with me. The fear and frustration of this secret belief was made bearable by the sense of ease and comfort that I got from a having a few drinks. 

As my drinking increased so did my struggle for happiness. Finally at age 47 God graced me with a moment of clarity that led me to Alcoholics Anonymous. I wasn't sober very long when I heard for the first time that "we had to let go of our old ideas absolutely." This condition of sobriety has become one of the shiniest "keys to the kingdom" for me. 

Today I know that every time I have any kind of negative life experience it's because some old idea is at work in me. Fortunately the 12 Steps allow me to identify these old, useless ideas and, when I am "entirely ready," ask God to remove them. The catch for me seems to be "entirely ready" as I seem to be holding on to some of them for dear life. 

You have taught me that as my faith grows, it becomes easier to let go of my old ideas. Isn't it great that developing "a faith that works under all conditions" is exactly what this program is all about?