EFFECTS OF ALCOHOLISM
Humiliation Before Humility
I just came back from Las Vegas after participating in the 4th Annual AARP Trade Show. Toby and I receive the monthly AARP magazine and when I read about the show, I thought it would be a good idea to take out a booth and promote my autobiography called A Gentleman Drunk.
Toby was originally going to work with me in the booth. But, she got sick after our most recent visit to Italy. So, off to Vegas I went with very high expectations.
Arriving in Vegas 8:00 that morning, I went to the hotel to check-in. I found out that I would have to wait till 3:00 p.m. since most people did not check out till noon and that they needed an additional three hours to get the rooms ready.
So, I stored my bags with the Bell Captain and headed over to the convention center. Arriving at the show, I learned that the exposition management company wanted an additional $500 for booth carpeting, table, chairs and wastebasket. Since the teamsters control the market in Vegas, I reluctantly said to myself, "God's will."
I then picked up my exhibitor badge and headed back to the hotel to find out that it would now be 4:00 p.m. before rooms were ready. Upon returning I waited another hour to get my key, all the time keeping my cool and whispering, "God's will."
I started the next day with enthusiasm, heading over to the Sands Expo Convention Center. After standing on my feet for 6 hours, waiting for people to stop by my booth, I only sold 7 books. Here were the main objections that I heard at least 300 times that day:
 | I already have 20 years of sobriety, I do not need to pay $10 to hear your story |
| I'm not an alcoholic and I don't know any |
| I used to be an alcoholic but I got over it |
| I only drink 2-3 days a day |
| I drink only after 5:00 p.m. |
| What's wrong with a little bit of alcohol now and then? |
| You think I need your book? |
| Isn't this the AA booth? |
| Boy, am I glad I'm not sick |
| I was married to an alcoholic but I divorced him |
Morally depressed, I headed back to the hotel and decided to shop for crayons and paper to draft answers to these common questions so that I could focus more on sales. The next day, I rose early and went over the center to redecorate my booth with my late-night self-drawn ads. I was ready for action. Unfortunately, after 9 hours on my feet, I could only claim 4 new buyers. Having spent $4,000 for this trip, and only making $110 for the 11 books I sold, I walked slowly back to the hotel, feeling like a failure.
I called Toby that night to vent. She listened and told me to do whatever I thought was best. I told her that I could not figure out the answer. So, I slept on it. And, to my disbelief, I dreamed that God told me to give the books away for free.
So, I went over to the show the last day and stopped everyone who walked down my aisle and said the following:
"Hi! I host a radio show on alcoholism and interview famous people who deal with this issue. As part of my recovery I wrote a book. Since it would cost me too much to ship these books back home I would like to give this book to you, free of charge." That day, I gave away 300 books, many of them to elderly people who struggled with walkers or rolled in wheel chairs. Everyone smiled and said, "Thank you. I would like to read it and pass it on to someone else I know who needs it."
At the end of the day, I knew I did the right thing by following God's will.
As I was leaving the show, one of the other exhibitors who had been watching me over the last 3 days came over and asked if he could share something with me. I said "Sure." He asked if I knew the difference between didactic learning and experiential learning. I said "No." He said "Do you remember learning the capitals of the 50 States when you were a kid?" I said," Yes. But, I could not name them today?" He said, "Correct. Now can you tell me if you remember your first kiss?" I said,"Yes." He then concluded by telling me I would never forget my first trade show. And I smiled, because I knew he was right.