As the end of the year rapidly approaches, I find myself reflecting on endings and beginnings.

Why do we mark off time into parcels? We close the file on a whole year, make a few resolutions to do better next year (which are mostly promptly forgotten) and life goes on as usual.

The New Year and its strong symbolism of starting over seems to be the most commonly shared human recognition of a power we all possess. It transcends boundaries, race and culture.

As an alcoholic steeped in the wisdom and practicality of the Alcoholics Anonymous program and its principles, I know that this power can be applied without regard to a yearly interval.

We AAs sound like a flock of sober parrots saying, "One day at a time!" or NA's corollary phrase, "Just for today".

Most alcoholics and addicts can scarcely imagine a whole year without drinking or drugging but we CAN conceive of staying sober for 24 hours. If we can bite off that much of our sobriety, it is much easier to chew and digest. If we stay sober, one day at time, a lifetime of sobriety is the result.

Shakespeare said in the Tempest, "We are such stuff as dreams are made of, and our little life is rounded with a sleep".

Some religions believe in reincarnation and that after the end of each life we have an opportunity to start over. Hopefully to do better in each successive life, until perfection is reached.
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The twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous have saved countless lives from death by alcohol. The Steps have the power to free anyone who earnestly works them from their hellish enslavement to alcohol or drugs.

It is generally known that the AA program works to help alcoholics achieve and maintain sobriety.

Less well-known is the extraordinary quality of life that results from working the steps. Everyone I know who has embraced and practiced the 12 steps as a way of life testifies to the joy, peace and improved relationships that are the hallmark of a principle-driven life.

Step 10, "continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it." is one of the reasons for this joyous improvement in a life formerly focused on self.

There is nothing I know of in this world that is more effective, works faster and costs less to use than a heartfelt apology. I used to think that if I had hard feelings with someone else, that if I apologized first that somehow I would lose. I almost always waited for the other person to apologize first--mostly the apology I felt I was owed never came.

Today I believe that a prompt and sincere apology on my part is a victory. I always feel immediate relief of my own anger, whether or not the other party reciprocates. They usually do, and if they don't, they only cheat themselves of the relief that comes from a resolved conflict.

An apology...