Daily Reflections reading September 16th
We Stand Our Fall Together
no
society of men and women ever had a more urgent need for continuous
effectiveness and permanent unity. We alcoholics see that we must work together
and hang together, else most of us will finally die alone. Alcoholics Anonymous
Page 563
Just
as the Twelve Steps of A.A. are written in a specific sequence for a reason, so
it is with the Twelve Traditions. The First Step and the First Tradition
attempt to instill in me enough humility to allow me a chance at survival.
Together they are the basic foundation upon which the Steps and Traditions that
follow are built. It is a process of ego deflation which allows me to grow as
an individual through the Steps, and as a contributing member of a group
through the Traditions. Full acceptance of the First Tradition allows me to set
aside personal ambitions, fears, and anger when they are in conflict with the
common good, thus permitting me to work with others for our mutual survival.
Without Tradition One I stand little chance of maintaining the unity required
to work with others effectively, and I also stand to lose the remaining
Traditions, the Fellowship, and my life.
©
Alcoholics Anonymous World Services
My thoughts on September 16th Reading
Unity begins with-in us with our Higher
Power, when one is following the guidance and will of a Higher Power balance is
achieved and then the ability to participate in a healthy life style is greatly
improved, unity is best served by the individual's
Unity with a Higher Power, all for one
and one for all the greatest good for the greatest number is the goal, this
applies in any group, the unity of the group has to come first otherwise we
find ourselves pulling in different directions
Working together depends upon the
cooperation of the group listening to the ideas, feelings, and opinions of each
other with an open mind, being willing to accept what the majority wants, not
that our way be the only right way, in a group each member has the
responsibility
To be open and honest in the expressing
of their ideas and feelings, this also means all members of the group be
willing to share in the day to day duties and responsibilities of the group
only then will the unity prevail
The strength of the group comes from
recognition and understanding of our mutual needs, when we discuss them openly,
we help each other, sometimes one has to agree with what is best for the group
as a whole, a free and tolerant exchange of views is something that requires a
persistent practice
Unity keeps the groups together,
dissension or controversy hurts the unity, thus hurts the group as a whole,
quantity of program is not as important as quality of program, no one is an all
wise authority on everything, all have a purpose and a part to play in the
group
We have groups in the first place because
we believe WE IS BETTER THAN ME, this shows we are no longer alone in our
search for sobriety, even though we are together, we must retain our
individuality, and each person enhances the fellowship
Each can stand alone, be independent of
the other, but we prefer to stand together as a unit, we believe that two are
better than one for a group to work, each has to pull their own load in order
to maintain any kind of unity
We are joined by a mutual desire to stay
sober and help others achieve sobriety, the life of the fellowship will depend
upon the unity within the fellowship, Remember, together we stand - divided we
fall. We must maintain unity to survive; our common welfare must come first
God bless you Al M
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