Rayna…

Like you say in your closing tag, accept the things I cannot change.

Guys like Down are just who they are.

You spoke very eloquently about the program, and he has a built in retort for every point you make. You are not going to change his mind, and luckily, he doesn’t seem to be changing yours.

All of us have a propensity to stick with what seems to be working in our lives. You, I and many others here have a simple set of spiritual tools that works in our lives. I don’t know what Down has that keeps him sober, but I’m glad he has something. And I hope that late at night, all alone, staring at his ceiling his program offers him some comfort. We can BS about how we are doing here on this forum, we can convince our friends how happy we are, but we can’t fool the dark at 2 in the morning. I hope when Down is all alone with himself, he is pleased with what he sees in his mind’s eye.

Try not to let his rancor upset you. In fact when I am working with a guy and he has a deep resentment towards someone else, (justified or otherwise) I suggest he pray for that person. And not just once, but every day for a month. Pray that all the good things you might want for yourself, that they come Down’s way. It probably makes no difference in his life, but it does make a big difference in yours.

Richard