Setting Standards

When I look back now, it’s hard to imagine I didn’t see a problem with my drinking. But instead of seeing the truth when all of the “yets” (as in, that hasn’t happened to me—yet) started happening, I just kept lowering my standards. ~ Alcoholics Anonymous, page 328

When it seems I must be a failure,
I've got my defenses…
I look at those worse off,
at how others act, more decadent
than I. It's not hard, at least not at first.
Then after year after year of seeking out
more and more rotten scum
for the comparison. And finally,
I just have to admit
I am as bad as anyone else
and with that bottom reached
I can start setting standards
that actually are higher than I've met
in my own misery.