Trudging the Road of Happy Destiny

We shall be with you in the Fellowship of the Spirit, and you will surely meet some of us as you trudge the Road of Happy Destiny. (AA Big Book pg 164)

Since my last meeting on Saturday, the word “trudge” has been sitting with me. Why did the author decide to use that word? Why not “walk”, “run”, or “hike”? The word trudge is defined

to walk or march steadily and usually laboriously Merriam-Webster

Upon further reflection, I think I like this word because it captures the journey along the path perfectly. There are two ways in which I think it is a helpful word. First, it has the meaning of a laborious walk. The example would be to trudge through deep snow. It is labor intensive and a lot of work but it takes one step at a time. One deliberate step at a time. That is like working the steps. I can only work one step at a time and I need to be deliberate about it. Sometimes that work is very laborious and difficult, especially as I am working through resentments or character flaws. So it is a trudging sort of path.

The second quality that strikes me about this word is its steadiness. Its not showy, fast, or overly slow. It is a steady ongoing walk down a path that is described as the Road of Happy Destiny. That steady, day by day, walk will find its reward.

So as I tell my fellowship, I am grateful to be trudging this road of Happy Destiny with them, and if you are on this path, perhaps one day, we will trudge together!