With these acquaintances, the common denominator was golf or fishing. That is what bound us to each other. I quit playing golf about 15 years ago and when the common denominator was gone, I did not continue to go to the golf course to hang out with them. I seldom saw my old golfing friends except in passing where we exchanged pleasantries and then we went our separate ways.

Thank you for the advice Mr. Shakespeare.

Most of the so-called friends I had before I got sober had only one thing in common with me and that was the drinking. Unlike golf and fishing, we could drink 24 hours a

The Tree of Unselfishness

Selfishness, Self-Centeredness, the root of all our flaws.

When first I heard those simple words, it really gave me pause.

Could this be the answer to the troubles of my past?

Removing all the guilt and shame, my conscience had amassed.

Unselfishness was not a word my EGO could embrace.

For it was much more satisfying when I lived in disgrace.

When in the clutch of my disease, I really had no choice.

But in the comfort of A.A, I heard God’s loving voice.

He had me check my motives for, my habits and my deeds.

And redirect my thoughts to meeting other people’s needs.

As I adopted this approach, not looking for approval.

Joy filled that dark and guilty space, left after their removal.

Unselfish motives are the seeds that spawn this loving tree.

The fruit of which brings happiness to both others and to me.

These things could not have happened, when my EGO had control.