Daily
Reflections reading October 29th
Our Survival
Since
recovery from alcoholism is life itself to us, it is imperative that we
preserve in full strength our means of survival. TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE
TRADITIONS, p. 177
The
honesty expressed by the members of A.A. in meetings has the power to open my
mind. Nothing can block the flow of energy that honesty carries with it. The
only obstacle to this flow of energy is inebriation, but even then, no one will
find a closed door if he or she has left and chooses to return. Once he or she
has received the gift of sobriety, each A.A. member is challenged on a daily
basis to accept a program of honesty.
My
Higher Power created me for a purpose in life. I ask him to accept my honest efforts
to continue on my journey in the spiritual way of life. I call on Him for
strength to know and seek His will.
© Alcoholics Anonymous World Services
My thoughts on October 29th Reading
I am grateful that AA isn't involved with the politics or,
other issues AA is a spiritual way of life, this could be lost if we let our
opinions, effect the groups in any way, having an opinion is having an opinion
we all have them and most of us use them
It doesn't matter if we fight for what is acceptable or
unacceptable, any type of opinion, used in AA on outside issues creates public
controversy, it does not matter who is right, what matters is the AA name
should never be drawn into public controversy
It is difficult for us not to share our opinions, but we
must respect this Tradition and do this in our own groups in a way that does
not become available outside of AA, we should try to encourage respect for our
fellowship as a whole
Our ability to keep meeting commitments is helping us carry
our message into areas where we not so long ago weren't welcome, sometimes it
is hard for new comers to-do the right thing for the good of the AA as a whole
They do not YET see the pattern in their lives to take the
place of ego, self-centeredness, fear, and anger,
the building of resentments all the things we learn about as we get into
the twelve steps of recovery I know when I first got sober I wanted to yell it
from the roof tops AA works
We surrender to this Tradition for the benefit of the
integrity of AA as a whole the Tenth Tradition is vital for our growth and
spiritual well-being as a fellowship AA can not afford to be labeled by taking
positions on outside issues that are none of our business in the first place
The tenth tradition shows us public controversy should
always be avoided it could severely damage us in our fellowship as a whole,
when someone out side of the fellowship thinks of AA, we want them to think of
caring sober alcoholics who have found a spiritual way out
No one in or out oaf needs to know anyone’s politics, income
level, associations, opinions on everything, we have to let new members working
in the sensitive areas of public Information know they should not use their last
names with the press
Not to address outside issues to respond to a reporter
outside our area of responsibility, by being responsible, we make it possible
for others to find out about AA, get to our meetings and achieve freedom from
alcoholism as the many before us did
Internal controversies have been with us from the beginning
and are not always negative, AA has grown and matured through controversy, the
tenth tradition applies to outside issues and public controversy out side of AA
not what goes on inside
It is so easy for an alcoholic to be coned into making
statements on TV or to the press, We just have to repeat this tradition until
they understand it is not all about them but it can seriously hurt our effort
of helping the next person seeking help
Inside issues are expressed as our experience, strength and
hope on recovery, in our group conscience, to insure all are member’s new
comers or old timers know just what this tradition means to the survival of AA
as a whole
God bless you Al M
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suggestions or comments
