From The Inside, released in 1978, is a heartfelt tale of honesty and sobriety laced with humor, darkness, and raw emotion. The LP is well-known as a recollection of Alice’s stay at Cornell Medical Center (CMC).

Alice was admitted to CMC in mid-October 1977 and met many captivating characters during his visit. Those inmates inspired most of the songs found on From The Inside.

The artwork and overall concept of the album are fascinating. A gatefold cover splits Alice’s heavily made-up face right down the middle. As the listener folds back the flaps, they are presented with a “Norman Rockwell-esque” depiction of the mental institution and the individuals found within.

A door labeled “Quiet Room” is pictured in the back corner of the main room. This door can also be flipped open, revealing Alice half-naked sitting against a white wall – alone in solitary confinement.

The back of the record has double doors that also flap open, showing Alice escaping from the hospital. The visual story is breathtaking, but the music takes the listener deeper into Alice’s experience.

“Marvel Comics released a comic based on the album, Marvel Premier 50. In it, some of the album’s characters were given names. The blonde in the blue dress (“Wish I Were Born in Beverly Hills’) becomes Ms. Tiffany Sleek, The croucher is Jerome (He has a fetish for Nurse Rozetta’s feet), the Doctor becomes the Deadly Doctor Fingeroth, and Veronica is a Snake!” – From The Inside, sickthingsuk.co.uk/01-discography/14-from-the-inside.php

“Wish I Were Born In Beverly Hills,” the second track on the record, is about one of the inmates Alice encountered during his stay – a delusional “teenage mess with a burned-out Gucci heart.” A “sleek and sassy” young woman (from a wealthy family) who is not immune to mental issues and instability.

There’s a “grass isn’t always greener” lesson to be learned within the song’s lyrics. The tune is tinged with echoes of family dysfunction. So it’s no wonder this damsel in distress finally flipped her lid and found herself carted off into a “padded cell.”

It’s hard to believe this song is 40+ years old. It could have been written yesterday. But unfortunately, with the outburst of social media, most of society wants to live someone else’s life instead of their own. It’s an epidemic, and it weighs heavily on our psyche and quality of life.

Study after study is being conducted about social media’s effects on our self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-image – vital aspects of our mental health. But like everything else, it seems it’s not really about the vessel; it’s about the message.

It’s not as much about what we post; it’s about the motive behind the post.

What messages are we trying to convey? Motivational stories to help others? Self-indulgence? Community? Comic relief? Acceptance? A mixture of things?

Is social media and entertainment the problem, or is it something more profound?

It is more likely a deception vs. truth issue – what the world tells us will provide gratification and contentment versus what God says in His Word about joy and fulfillment.

There’s a vast difference between the ways of the world and the Word of God. As the song points out, wealth, status, material possession, etc., are not keys to mental health, serenity, or stability. Instead, we find the simple truths and guidelines for happiness and satisfaction written within God’s Word.

There are many levels of understanding concerning God’s Word and Spirit, but His gifts of Love, Salvation, and Fruit of the Spirit are NOT dependent upon some unique or advanced wisdom or knowledge.

Some of the most influential men in God’s Word were not highly educated and received no specialized training. For example, John The Baptist and the twelve disciples came from various backgrounds and careers, but the Holy Spirit moved within them and helped change the world.

Likewise, no requirement or prerequisite must be satisfied before accepting Christ as Lord. In comparison, the world bases success on how high and fast someone climbs the notorious corporate ladder.

We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 However, as it is written:

“What no eye has seen,
    what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”—
    the things God has prepared for those who love him—

10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. 14 The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. 15 The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, 16 for,

“Who has known the mind of the Lord
    so as to instruct him?”

But we have the mind of Christ. – 1 Corinthians 2:6-16

In the above-listed verses, Paul explains that we are meant to experience this life through the wisdom of the Holy Spirit (2:7) – the mind of Christ given to man (2:16).

As we experience this journey through life with Him in Spirit, we begin to see things differently. We begin a quest for spiritual renewal that leads to a clear mind and a restored soul.

Paul takes this one step further in the book of Philippians. This 4-chapter book is one of the most profound books in the Bible. In it, we find Paul rejoicing and giving thanks, even as he is suffering in prison.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. – Philippians 4:4-9

Straight forward and to the point, Paul reveals the way to joyfulness and fulfillment. In prison, he is adamant about his contentment with the One that dwells in his heart, NOT the circumstances of this world.

By this point, Paul had learned to apply what the Holy Spirit and God’s Word had taught and shown him – to seek the Lord through surrender (Proverbs 23:26), to cast life’s cares upon our Creator (Psalms 55:22), to give thanks to the Lord (1 Chronicles 16:34), and lean not on his own understanding (Proverbs 3:5).

We are God’s children (John 1:12), adopted (Ephesians 1:5), accepted (Romans 15:7), made whole (Colossians 2:9-10), free (Romans 6:6), born anew (John 3:6-7), and chosen (1 Peter 2:9) – we are vouched for, we are loved (John 3:16-17).   

Wrapping up this week’s post, we learn through discernment that two spirits are urging us to listen – the spirit of Truth and the spirit of deception (1 John 4:6). It may seem difficult to distinguish between the two at first, but as we seek Him through prayer and scripture, it becomes evident which spirit is speaking.

As we journey through this life, may we seek to follow Paul’s example in Philippians. Alice and Sheryl Cooper often testify to who truly defines them – that they play the roles of characters in a show, but their on-stage personas do not define them.

Instead, they are identified by who they are in Christ Jesus – new creations saved by His Mercy and Grace.

In conclusion, From The Inside is a tremendous record. We’ve only covered four songs to date, but the entire LP is noteworthy and presents valuable chunks of wisdom and insight.

This album meshes with an unforgettable part of Alice’s life. His true grit and character were revealed in his darkest hours. Owning his mistakes and acknowledging the need for intervention led him down the road to salvation.  

Alice has become a beacon of hope for many as the years have passed. Like Paul, many look to Alice as an example of the mighty works our Lord can and will do (if we allow Him the chance).

The “Fridays With Alice” Facebook page, Facebook Group, and blog have received numerous emails, comments, and posts about how Alice’s story – his struggles and triumphs – have inspired many to face their demons and addictions head-on.

We pray that such inspiration continues and that all who read and learn more about Alice also remember and know that he doesn’t have a sponsor – he has a Savior. Our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Be well and catch you next week!

Keep walkin’ in Faith and rockin’ with Alice!