In the 1950’s and through the 1970’s, Reverend Norman
Vincent Peale was a best-selling author while serving as the renowned minister
at The Marble Colligate Church in Manhattan.
His books and radio talks inspired millions of people. He
started a clinic at Marble Collegiate with psychiatrist Smiley Blanton where
they developed a form of religious-psychological therapy, which was radically
new and a bit controversial at the time. (Interestingly, today the fields of
psychology and psychiatry are returning to practices that directly include the
spiritual and religious beliefs of clients.)
Peale’s work was inspirational and like his peer, Dale
Carnegie, he helped millions of Americans understand their feelings, beliefs
and behaviors, and to learn new methods of communication and personal change.
One of Peale’s most popular books was, “The Art of Real Happiness”
which became a hand-to-hand classic within the Alcoholics Anonymous community. And
it’s no surprise as Peale’s message was close in tone and meaning to the
messages and practices of AA: Surrender, Acceptance, Living One Day at a Time
and committing to a regular faith life and habit.
In a used bookstore a month ago I found a first-edition copy
of “The Art of Real Happiness” and marveled at my good luck. Then marveled further
to see that in 1950 Peale had included a chapter called, “A Solution for
Problem Drinking” where he details some of the psychological aspects at the
root of problem drinking, naming resentment as a big one. And then he gives—in
caring detail—an outline of how AA works—with the example of a businessman who
has fallen far, and another showing a woman who is also struggling with drink.
This powerful chapter also tells the story of AA’s start and
the importance of having a spiritual experience.
I love knowing that this classic piece of 1950’s self-help
literature was also admired and shared by our earlier AA family members, and to
know that we are also part of the Norman Vincent Peale lineage as well.
