Daily Reflections reading November 29th
Active Guardians
To
us, however, it represents far more than a sound public relations policy. It is
more than a denial of self-seeking. This Tradition is a constant and practical
reminder that personal ambition has no place in A.A. In it, each member becomes
an active guardian of our Fellowship. TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p.
183
The
basic concept of humility is expressed in the Eleventh Tradition: it allows me
to participate completely in the program in such a simple, yet profound manner;
it fulfills my need to be an integral part of a significant whole. Humility
brings me closer to the actual spirit of togetherness and oneness, without
which I could not stay sober. In remembering that every member is an example of
sobriety, each one living the Eleventh Tradition, I am able to experience
freedom because each one of us is anonymous.
© Alcoholics Anonymous World Services
My thoughts on November 29th Reading
When discussing personal recovery with
the media members who are identified by their full names, such as the case of
those who are already well known in the media, they should not identify
themselves as member of Alcoholic's Anonymous
If members want to discuss the benefits
of membership in AA, like in a school or hospital identify themselves by first name
only and the fellowship of AA, many members have the attitude, that everybody
knew I was the town drunk, why should I hide my identity now that I am
recovering
The answer is for the good of the
fellowship, many people in the world of Movies TV sports etc. are also
alcoholics and are role model for youth, to announces to the entire world that
AA has saved their life can destroy the youths image of AA if that person
relapses
By trying to save the world we are not
staying with our primary purpose, one Alcoholic helping another alcoholic, for
me this means if the person is dual addicted, then they should have the right
to share all there experiences, just like the rest of us can
I think at times we all seem to forget
that we are responsible for being the attractions, by changing our appearance,
how we communicate, dress, and conduct ourselves, in and out of the rooms, we
are the carriers of the message not the mess
That's part of carrying the message, also
to let people see the difference, that this design for living we were given has
worked in our lives, seeing the changes in our lives, physical, mental, and
spiritual they are attracted by our example not any promotion
Alcoholics anonymous needs no promotion,
this is a program for people who want it, let's not let others tell us what
they think we are about, let's just be ready when the suffering alcoholic is
ready to open the door and show him what we are
Anonymity is what makes people feel safe
to speak what's in their hearts and on their minds, the fact that it's based on
attraction, to me means people can see the change of a recovering alcoholic due
to the change we make when following the steps
Newcomers should be able to seek help
with complete assurance that their identities will not be disclosed to anyone
outside the , another reason for anonymity even if your willing to break your
own, we all must have respect for the anonymity of others
At the level of service work I do not
share secrets, but do share the fact that I am alcoholic and I am in recovery
in AA, being exposed as what we are, instead of what we want others to think we
are, gives our friends and neighbors an opportunity to see and judge us in a
new light.
It is in this manner that we demonstrate
the principles of AA in our daily lives, for others to see and if they like
what they see, and if they or one of their friends needs help, they can come to
us or go directly to AA, it sounds so simple to say this, but this is the
primary way we carry the message.
We can hardly be of help if our own
fellowship doesn't know how to get in touch with us, by extension we cannot
reach other suffering alcoholics, by referral if our nonalcoholic friends and
neighbors do not know that we are alcoholic, they simply would not know where
to send loved ones for help
If we remain anonymous at the
person-to-person level and the fellowship level we would not be able to help
anyone, being anonymous at this level is the same as being secret and this is
the exact opposite of carrying the message
Please feel free to mail suggestions
or comments
