Hmm is this one of those I don't always get what I ask for quotes? Might not be what I wanted, but doesn't mean it's not what I need. Either that or Mr Edison hasn't seen my kitchen cupboard.

I like this - for example - related to someone in early sobriety and abstinence - as the world is today, they expect immediate gratification, they expect immediate acceptance from family and friends and if they've sought a higher power they expect immediate results.

Just because they don't get the immediate results and expectations does not mean their efforts have been useless.

IMO

Peace!

Coogee -- maybe we need to adjust the quote:

Just because something doesn't do what you planned it to do
doesn't mean it's useless, unless it is has been in your kitchen drawer for years and years. Then it really might be useless and it is okay to throw it out.

At least I think that's what I need to hear....

I think Edison explained this more fully by saying he'd had 1,000 failures to achieve a given success, like with the lightbulb.

We don't have to, can't afford to have many failures at staying sober, but the relapses can be used to understand the problem and the solution better.

And as Carebear said, the daily torture of early sobriety feels like a failure everyday as we haven't achieved peace and serenity, but we need to move forward in each and every one of those days to achieve peace and serenity and long term sobriety.

Ditto to what Carebear said. It takes time and effort.

EJG, I just threw a ton of old stuff out recently for that very reason!! Ha ha!

But what if someday I need that nutcracker, crab pick, chip clip, rolling pin?

Many don't accept the fact that it took years to get to the point of destruction in their lives and it's not going to fix overnight - as you begin the process of sobriety and start to change the body mind and soul - progress will happen - immediate results should NOT (IMO) be expected - expectations (as learned through anger management classes) can set anyone up for disappointment, failure, anger and resentment - some expectations should be there but to expect many things especially from others in your road to sobriety can be a downfall experience.

In many aspects of my life, i've learned not to have expectations of others and it makes my life so much easier. I may have those expectations in my mind but if they don't happen i don't fret over it as i truly don't expect other than in my mind - lol.'

Peace!