Going through metamorphosis. Just like the butterfly
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Tradition One « Thread Started on Jan 13, 2006, 4:30am »
Tradition One
1. Our common welfare should come first; personal progress for the greatest number depends upon unity.
Quote:
IN AL-ANON we have learned that as individuals we are very important and that, if we don't take care of ourselves, "Who will?" Tradition One speaks to our need for "common welfare." It speaks to us as individuals, as members of a group and to our group. It suggests that, by caring for the well-being of all participants, we will be able to discern what will best serve the individual growth of most members and foster our own well-being. Within a loving, spiritual community, each of us has the best chance for personal progress and Tradition One sets the foundation for creating and maintaining that community.
Remembering our common welfare helps us learn how to use our meetings effectively. What is common welfare? For AI-Anon members it means familiarity with our primary purpose - to help families and friends of alcoholics. It means recovery, sharing at meetings, personal growth, group growth, participating in the worldwide fellowship and understanding a common problem - alcoholism. Although spoken and written in many languages, by reading the suggested opening, reciting the Serenity Prayer, Steps, Traditions and Concepts, using Conference Approved Literature (CAL) and reading our suggested closing, we are assured that the message of AI-Anon is spoken worldwide.
Practicing the Traditions helps us maintain unity and a sense of familiarity. As individuals each of us is free to find a group where we feel most at home. At the same time, because of our unity of purpose, we are assured that we will find some familiar ground in any AI-Anon group we attend.
Members Share Experience, Strength and Hope
How did Al-Anon come alive for me? It wasn't through the Steps as it might have been for most members. For me it was on a special night in a meeting on Tradition One. That night I was receptive. I heard how AI-Anon worked in other people's lives, and I understood some of my part in this disease. I felt the pain. I realized how deeply alcoholism had affected our family. As I sat in the Tradition study meeting, I really listened to each person share. It became clear to me that these Traditions could apply to my home. After all, I saw Tradition One working in our group. I even saw it applied very successfully in our business meetings. I saw a glimmer of hope, a new direction, a real tool I could use in my recovery.
Tradition One spoke of unity - something that I longed for in my home. This Tradition made me look at my part in our dis-unity. Somewhere in the family disease of alcoholism, I had taken control. I took it upon myself to make most of the decisions. After all, I was not the alcoholic, so I was okay. The decisions I made and my motives for making them were to keep the family together and the alcoholic in line. I know today that most of my decisions were made in times of anger, resentment, deep despair and insanity. I had no balance, no serenity and no Higher Power. I had retired God many years before this and I had been fueled by self-will ever since.
Today I know that for unity to exist in my family or in my group, all of us must have a voice. No one voice is more or less important than anyone else's. I have a responsibility to listen, to share and to accept. Tradition One lifted the burden of control off my shoulders. I no longer had the right to make decisions for everyone. The people in my home deserved to make their own decisions and to be given the same respect that I desired for myself, whether they were in recovery or not. This new freedom for me and the other members of my family was a miracle from Al-Anon. When I see Tradition One applied at the group level, it reminds me again how important unity is in my life.
Re: Tradition One « Reply #1 on Jan 22, 2006, 2:02am »
The part about realizing we each have a right to our voice...our opinion was very good for me. My whole life I have lived with active alcoholics. I was told toshut up and do what I say...no back talk. I was made to believe that my opinion did not matter. Others were in charge and had the final say.
Once I realized that we all have a right to voice an opinion I started steppign out of my comfort zone and speaking up for myself. Tradition one has personally stopped me from being a doormat. I speak up for what is fair and right. I do voice my opinion today. I stand up for what I feel is right. I have become more self confident and outgoing because of tradition one.
Because of all the other steps and traditions I am also cafeful not to make doormats of OTHERS.
Re: Tradition One « Reply #2 on Jan 22, 2006, 9:20am »
Tradition One: Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity. "Every newcomer, every friend who looks at A.A. for the first time is greatly puzzled. They see liberty verging on license, yet they recognize at once that A.A. has an irresistible strength of purpose and action….The A.A. member has to conform to the principles of recovery. His life depends upon obedience to spiritual principles.”
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Joined: Dec 2003 Gender: Male Posts: 34 Location: North Carolina Karma: 0
Re: Tradition One « Reply #3 on Jan 28, 2006, 8:27pm »
Tradition One has helped me to see that i don't have to be right all the time. For example, if a meeting is run a certain way - even if it's not the way I would have it run - as long as it's helping people, that's more important than having it done my way.
Re: Tradition One « Reply #5 on Jan 29, 2006, 5:49pm »
Quote:
Tradition One: Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity. "[M]ost individuals cannot recover unless there IS a group. Realization dawns that he is but a small part of a great whole; that no personal sacrifice is too great for preservation of the Fellowship. He learns that the clamor of desires and ambitions within him must be silenced whenever these could damage the group. It becomes plain that the group must survive or the individual will not.”
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Re: Tradition One « Reply #6 on Apr 1, 2007, 12:19pm »
like the slogan my sponsor in n.a. used, if im not the problem,there is no solution so in every situation,i need to see if i have overstepped my reality before i prejudge who is is right or wrong. i need to accept everyone in the skin god has them in without judgement.
Joined: Mar 2007 Gender: Male Posts: 205 Location: toronto Karma: 0
Re: Tradition One « Reply #7 on Apr 2, 2007, 7:47am »
AOur common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends on NA unity.@
Throughout the fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous, each member is but a small part of a much greater whole. NA must continue to live, for without the recovery born of this fellowship, many of us would surely face the alternatives of jails, institutions, dereliction, and death. It is in the spirit of unity that we are offered freedom from active addiction by collectively practicing the principles of NA=s Twelve Steps in our daily lives. Our meetings, and our groups, are the forum by which one addict works with another, freely giving what was so freely given to us.
The spirit of unity is born through identification and empathy. Identification ‑ a conscious awareness of our common [fellow=s] thoughts, feelings, and problems, is our initial connection. Empathy - the emotional insight [association] and spiritual bonds, compliments that connection. [as] They become our primary vehicles of communication [together] where words leave off [all others are lost], this is our language. It is with this language that a member can suddenly stop sharing in a meeting, begin to shed tears or choke up[cry], and as the room grows quite, words no longer need be used. In this environment of unique love and concern, [like no other], our message is still being carried and understood by all members present. Part of the proof of this is when non-members are present and later say they didn=t >get it.=
In Narcotics Anonymous, individual welfare is held nearly [equally] as important as our common welfare. Though our common welfare comes first, we continue to enhance our individual welfare by offering each member as much dignity and respect as any other. [One of the most important concepts of] Unity comes from understanding and maintaining a similar sense of surrender and humility. This ideal is found when we place ourselves rightly [and relatively] in respect to God and the people around us, thereby[fore] creating a fellowship. The word fellowship, by its very nature, implies a body of equals, none of any greater or lesser value in NA. This equality may be the key to our unity. We don=t like bosses, especially when they have done nothing to earn or maintain our respect. We have found that the spirit of recovery resides equally in all who can share their pain and desire for recovery.
Each member, by their own conscience, will bears both the burden of labor and enjoy the fruit of harvest[, if they so desire]. We have no rulers, governors, or managers; no member can be punished or expelled. A group of members is neither greater than the individual, nor is any individual member greater than a group. This concept is complimented by the simplicity of having only one membership requirement. Our Ninth Tradition protects us from having [implementing, or suggestions implying,] rules for conformity. Sharing our pain and desire for recovery is what makes us surrender - and surrender makes us members. Tradition Two removes the threat of appointing people who rule by title to enforce such rules. Our leaders lead by example. Our unity is simply maintained from the understanding and application of all Twelve Traditions, here each tradition compliments the others.
The fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous is a society, or culture, like few others in the world today. There are no masters or rulers demanding obedience, only leaders and servants inviting respect. Though some [this may seem difficult to understand in a world accustomed to societies] are organized by [relative,] economic or geographic boundaries; ours is based on the actions we take today. [simply not so.] NA is made of up people with a common problem - addiction, and a common solution - The Twelve Steps. [Unlike the others,] NA members need no human authority to maintain order; the punishment we give ourselves through a relapse is far greater than any government could ever order. Each member will eventually begin living the principles necessary to ensure their daily reprieve.
The Twelve Steps of Narcotics Anonymous, as implemented in the lives of each of our members, are often viewed as his or her personal recovery. Our spiritual connection with each other=s personal recovery creates one of the strongest bonds holding us together. Eventually, every member who has suffered the horrors of addiction and gains hope of recovery, understands the necessity and vitality of a spiritual way of life. As this awakening of the spirit occurs and flourishes, [so does] it is reflected in our unity. As we apply the Twelve Steps in our lives as a design for living, we open the door to humility. Our need for false pride and ego is replaced by skill and ability.
Generally compliance or noncompliance with any of the principles in NA is [a matter best] left to the conscience of each individual, as influenced by his or her understanding of God=s will. Major disruption or causing harm to fellow members is not allowed. With this in mind, we are free to practice acceptance, patience, and tolerance towards one another. The unity called for in our First Tradition is threatened when our principles are compromised by fear of diversity. Our diversity is our strength, the broader our base the higher our point of freedom. Whenever we do not accept others as they are [and attempt to exert our will on them to conform, it is often] we[, who] are doing harm to the unity of our fellowship. [the greater harm.] Because of the nature of our disease, we are vigilant to keep our meetings safe for addicts seeking recovery. Each group has its own conscience.
Tradition One asks us to overlook the differences that may divide us and focus on our common identity as unified and equal members of a greater whole. It is through this commonality that one learns that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Each part has its own uniqueness, a difference necessary to fit exactly where God had intended it, just for today.
Our common welfare hinges not so much on our ability to impose uniformity as it does with every individual member=s willingness to surrender any defect standing standing in the way of unconditional love and acceptance of our fellows. Unity is love, family, and the NA way of life. Working together to love one another, we have a better chance at helping the next suffering addict stop using, loose the desire to use, and find a new way to live.
"Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends on NA unity."
The willingness to work this tradition comes as a direct result of the spiritual awakening that I experienced by working and applying the 12 steps to my life, on a daily basis, to the best of my ability. Previously, I had read most of the traditions and have attended a few tradition meetings. Nevertheless, I could not understand what purpose the traditions would serve, other than some basic guidelines that would at least keep the chaos to a reasonable level so that a regular calendar of area NA events would be possible.
I could not comprehend the concept of common welfare or unity initially because I could not see past my own personal agenda. My experiences with other 12 step fellowships had been negative. When I began to see and feel what recovery was like in NA, I would hear people speak and share at meetings and say things that where contradictory to the way I worked my program and they were just wrong misinformed people. I would get very upset and I would think of ways to be even more outrageous than they were. I would go to a meeting only to feel alone and different from most or all of the people in the meeting, I felt isolated and unique in some meetings. I sensed that this was a dangerous state of mind. I made a conscience effort to focus on the similarities rather than the differences and that diversity can be our strength. However, lives do hang in the balance.
My primary purpose is to stay clean and increase the quality of my life, mentally, physically and spiritually to be happy, joyous and free. I can only keep what I have by giving it away and I cannot give it to myself. Therefore, without the group and its members I am doomed. The groups support NA as a whole. I can well understand why a worldwide fellowship is vital to the individual member’s survival. I have attended meetings in other countries and in other states and did not feel alone. NA was there and I was welcomed. I can go anywhere in the world and I have nothing to fear.
We suffer from a common affliction. More importantly, we have found a common solution; NA. If we truly believe in NA and that our personal recoveries depend on NA, then NA must survive. A spirit of unity on a foundation of goodwill should guide the individual members in their personal conduct, as well as exercising their point of view at the group level or any other NA service position, see past their own personal objectives, and consider the affects on the group and NA as a whole.
I apply this tradition by slowing down in the moment and ask myself is what you are about to say in the spirit of unity and on a foundation of goodwill? Is what I am about to say intended to polarize the group and cause people to take sides? On the other hand, am I just trying to make some one that I do not like or disagree with look stupid? Am I considering the addict that has yet to walk through the door here or on the other side of the world? What would someone think if it was their first meeting? Would that person feel unconditional love in spite of whom they are? If I contemplate these questions carefully before I speak or interact with others, my part in NA unity and our common welfare will be preserved.
Joined: Mar 2007 Gender: Male Posts: 205 Location: toronto Karma: 0
Re: Tradition One « Reply #8 on Apr 17, 2007, 11:13am »
TRADITION ONE: “Our common welfare should come first; personal recover depends on NA Unity.” (Page 59 – 60)
Tradition One guarantees our survival and freedom as a Fellowship to continue to carry the message to the addict who still suffers.
1. What are the two things Tradition One concerns is with? (Paragraph 1)
2) What is imperative to our survival as an addict? (Paragraph 1)
3) Does this tradition teach us that we don’t need certain addicts? (Paragraph 2)
4) Can we put members out whom we don’t like or who do not do what we tell them to do? (Paragraph 2)
5) How do we lead and learn from each other in Narcotics Anonymous? (Paragraph 2)
6) What do we do differently in NA concerning our personal desires? (Paragraph 2)
7) What does our personal experience teach us about self-sufficiency? (Paragraph 3)
8) What three common themes did we find in our recovery? (Paragraph 3)
9) How do we deal with disagreements and conflicts in NA? (Paragraph 4)
10) What are some of the commonplace activities in our Fellowship? (Paragraph 4)
11) How do we ensure that we will survive and continue to carry the message to the addict who still suffers? (Paragraph 5)
12) How can we apply and practice the spiritual lessons of common welfare, unity, compromise, teamwork, settling disagreement and conflict in our home lives outside of the Fellowship? (From the heart)
Joined: Mar 2007 Gender: Male Posts: 205 Location: toronto Karma: 0
Re: Tradition One « Reply #9 on Apr 17, 2007, 2:47pm »
NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS GUIDE TO THE TWELVE TRADITIONS “We keep what we have only with vigilance, and just as freedom for the individual comes from the Twelve Steps so freedom for the group springs from our Traditions. As long as the ties that bind us together are stronger than those that will tear us apart, all will be well. Understanding these Traditions comes slowly over a period of time. We pick up information as we talk to members and visit various groups. It usually isn’t until we get involved with service that someone points out that personal recovery depends on N.A. unity, and that unity depends on how well we follow our Traditions. The Twelve Traditions of N.A. are not negotiable. They are the guidelines that keep our Fellowship alive and free.” “By following these guidelines in our dealings with others, and society at large, we avoid many problems. That is not to say that our Traditions eliminate all problems. We still have to face difficulties as they arise: communication problems, differences of opinion, internal controversies, and troubles with individuals and groups outside the Fellowship. However, when we apply these principles, we avoid some of the pitfalls. Many of our problems are like those that our predecessors had to face. Their hard won experience gave birth to the Traditions, and our own experience has shown that these principles are just as valid today as they were when these Traditions were formulated. Our Traditions protect us from the internal and external forces that could destroy us. They are truly the ties that bind us together. It is only through. understanding and application that they work.” It is very important that we understand and abide by our Traditions. The very survival of our Fellowship is at stake. By these principles we are committed to one another, not only to those addicts who are here but those yet to come. The Traditions were built upon anonymity, the spiritual foundation from which we grow. Applying the Traditions is an obligation to us all. Despite our personal views or feelings, we must keep our Traditions first. This guide is designed to help us understand the Traditions and to work through any differences that we might have. TRADITION ONE “Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends on N.A. unity.” Narcotics Anonymous is more than just the meetings we attend. We are part of a greater whole. We share an equal membership in NA, and we all have an interest in maintaining the unity that underlies its common welfare. Unity is the spiritual link that joins thousands of members around the world in a spiritual fellowship that has the power to change lives. One way to look at placing our common welfare first is to say that each of us is equally responsible for NA’s well being. In our recovery, we have found that living clean is difficult without the support of other members. Our individual recovery depends on meetings that take place regularly, other recovering addicts who participate and sponsors who share with us how to stay clean. Even members who can’t get to meetings depend on the support of fellow addicts. They maintain contact through phone calls, letters, and NA loner groups. As individual members rely on support of the Fellowship for survival, so NA”s survival depends on its members. How would you define unity in relation to our common welfare? How do I place the welfare of Narcotics anonymous first? As an individual member, what are my responsibilities to NA? How can I promote unity within the Fellowship? How can lack of unity affect my personal recovery? How will unity as described in the Traditions help me in my personal recovery? Our First Tradition encourages not only our members but also our groups to place our common welfare first. Most groups conduct most of their affairs on their own. In attending to the details of their daily routines, autonomous NA groups may lose sight of the bigger picture. In the larger frame, each group is a strand in the supporting fabric of Narcotics Anonymous as a whole; without that fabric, there would be no NA. The importance of our unity encourages our groups to look to the welfare of the worldwide NA Fellowship before their own. Why is unity in Narcotics Anonymous so important? How important is it that our groups conduct their affairs with the whole NA Fellowship in mind? In what ways can I place the common welfare of the NA Fellowship first? What part do I play in the overall picture? How do I place principles before personalities while promoting unity? The relationship described in the First Tradition is reciprocal. Groups work together in a spirit of cooperation to ensure the survival of Narcotics Anonymous; in turn, those groups receive strength and support from every other group and all our services. The strength of our mutual commitment to NA creates the unity that binds us together in spite of all that might divide us. The common welfare of NA depends on the continued growth and well being of the Fellowship in every corner of the world. Our shared commitment to recovery and to our common welfare gives us a personal stake in the unity of NA. In meetings, we find a new place to belong, new friends, and a hope for a better life. A feeling of care and concern grows between us and the group. We learn to treat others with kindness and respect and do what we can to support each other and our group. Sometimes we comfort each other merely by being present; at other times, a phone call or letter to say hello can make a world of difference. Our relationships with other addicts are a source of strength in our personal recovery. We come to rely on meetings and on each other for that support. The unity we see in our meetings is an expression not only of our reliance on each other but our mutual reliance on spiritual principles and a Higher Power. In what ways do I see the commitment of NA to the individual group? What services does Narcotics Anonymous provide? What responsibility do I share in the unity of Narcotics Anonymous? In what way does my personal recovery depend on the unity of NA? What can I do to better serve NA as a whole? NA unity begins with our recognition of the therapeutic value of one addict helping another. We help each other in different ways. Sometimes we help each other one-on-one, as in sponsorship, or we may help each other by participating in the formation of new meetings to make NA accessible to more addicts. Many groups are formed when members of a more established group help to start another group. Sharing the responsibility enhances our common welfare and creates unity among NA members who work together. Groups flourish with the loving support of addicts helping addicts. We strengthen our unity by participating in each other’s recovery. How can one addict helping another addict strengthen the unity of NA? What are some ways in which I can participate in each another’s recovery? In what ways can I reach other addicts? Communication goes a long way toward building and enhancing our common welfare. With an attitude of open-mindedness, we seek to understand other perspectives. Reports may tell us a lot about what’s happening in other groups or areas, but our common welfare depends on more than just information. True communication involves an effort on our part to “listen” as we read or hear reports, seeking a better understanding of the needs and problems of both our own group and other groups, wherever they may be. Encouraging each member to speak openly from the heart enhances our ability to work together. Regular reports, thorough discussion, and active listening lead us to the kind of understanding that helps us find creative solutions that benefit us all. Today’s decisions may affect tomorrow’s members. When we think of solutions to our current problems, it’s not hard to consider the needs of our group, our area, our region, or even the worldwide Fellowship. But it’s also important to remember the “unseen member” in our discussion-the member yet to come. When we work to ensure the vitality of NA, we’re not working just for ourselves but for those yet to join us. Why is communication so important to us as a Fellowship? Why is open-mindedness necessary to our common welfare? Why is it imperative that we always have the group's conscience? Are we thorough in our decision making processes? Do I seek to be understood rather than to understand? Does our group seek to serve itself rather than the addict yet to come? The unity that supports our common welfare is created not only by working together but also by playing together. The friendships we develop outside meetings strengthen NA unity. Fellowship activities provide opportunities for us to relax, socialize with each other, and have fun. Conventions, dinners, and holiday celebrations give us a chance to celebrate our recovery while practicing social skills. Picnics, dances, and sports days, for example, often allow our families to participate, too. We strengthen our sense of community when we share more than just meeting time. Stronger relationships develop, as we become more involved in each other’s lives. The care and understanding born of these relationships are strong threads in the fabric of NA unity. What are some other ways to strengthen the unity of NA? What are the ties that bind us together? Applying spirituals principles In the Twelve Steps of NA we learn to apply principles to better our lives. Moved by the miracle of personal recovery, we reach out to share that miracle with others. This is the essence of being of service in NA. In supporting our unity, we first apply principles to guide our own behavior. As groups, we use the same principles for guidance. That guidance creates a sense of unity that strengthens our ability to reach out to others, enhancing our common welfare. Some of the principles that seem particularly important to unity include surrender and acceptance, commitment, selflessness, love, and anonymity. As we practice these principles, we will find others who strengthen unity as well. Surrender and acceptance open the door to unity. As our trust in a Higher Power grows, it gets easier to let go of our personal desires and stop fighting for what we want. With an attitude of surrender, working together in a group becomes easier. Tradition One presents a picture of addicts working together worldwide to support each other’s recovery. We try to remember this goal in all our actions, as individuals or as groups. If we find that our personal desires or the aims of our group conflict with that ideal, unity asks us to surrender our own desires and accept guidance that enhances the greater good of Narcotics Anonymous. Only by deciding to be part of that whole can we support the unity so essential to our personal survival. What does surrender mean in the context of Tradition One? What does acceptance mean in the context of Tradition One? Commitment is another essential ingredient in unity. Personal commitment to our shared sense of purpose is one of the ties that bind us together. When we know that we belong in NA, and when we make a commitment to stay, we become a part of the greater whole. Our sense of belonging is closely related to our degree of commitment to recovery in NA. As groups, the combined strength of that commitment is a powerful force in serving others. With that strong commitment, we are able to carry the message of hope that will support us all in our recovery. Commitment is a decision supported by our belief in NA as a way of life. Regular meeting attendance is one way in which we live out that belief. Greeting newcomers as they arrive or giving our telephone number to someone who needs help also reflects our decision. Sponsorship, sharing in meetings, setting up chairs before meetings—all these are ways in which we express our commitment. Each member finds a level of service that fits comfortably into a balanced program of recovery. What does commitment mean to me? Have I found what I am comfortable doing in the Fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous? What can I do to help the addict who still suffers? Am I giving back that which was so freely given to me? In what other ways do I live out the belief that NA is a way of life? Selflessness is another indispensable element in unity. The principles we learn in the Steps help us let go of our selfishness and lovingly serve the needs of others. To keep our groups healthy, we place the needs of our group ahead of our own personal desires. The same principle applies to our affairs as a group. Setting aside what we may want as a group, we think about the needs of the Fellowship and seek ways to support our common good. Our ability to survive as a Fellowship and to reach others depends on our unity. What does selflessness mean in the context of Tradition One? Love is a principle that is expressed in the practice of goodwill toward one another. We contribute to unity in our meetings by exercising loving care in the way we speak to and the way we treat one another. We try to share our experience, strength, and hope in a way, which demonstrates that recovery, is available in Narcotics Anonymous. An atmosphere of love and care in our meetings helps members feel comfortable and safe. The love we show each other attracts newcomers and strengthens us all, fueling our sense of unity and common welfare. How can I show the love I have for the Fellowship? What is unconditional love? Anonymity, the spiritual foundation of our Traditions, supports NA unity as well. When we apply anonymity to the First Tradition, we overlook the differences that would separate us. In the context of unity, anonymity means that the message of recovery is for every addict who wants it. We learn to set aside our prejudices and focus on our common identity as addicts. Each of us has an equal right to and responsibility for the well-being of Narcotics Anonymous. Just as anonymity is the spiritual foundation of our Traditions, the unity spoken of in the First Tradition is the practical foundation on which we may build strong and successful groups. With unity as our practical foundation, we find that our relationship with one another is more important than any issue that may arise to divide us. No problem or disagreement is more significant than our need for each other’s support. The fundamental importance of our common welfare strengthens our understanding of all the other Traditions. Many questions can be answered simply by determining how the action we contemplate will affect the unity of the Fellowship. Will it serve to divide us, or will it bring us closer together? Are we practicing anonymity in our group?
Re: Tradition One « Reply #10 on Aug 7, 2007, 5:44pm »
I would like to find a sponsor and have approached a sponsor a few months ago and was sober for 4 months and expierenced triggers and relapsed. I have seeked professional help and now I am on medication to help me with me my cravings which I feel as it has helped. I have attended AA and I feel as I am heading the right direction and I feel as I am struggling with triggers in my life and having to cope with my problems sober.
Re: Tradition One « Reply #11 on Aug 7, 2007, 6:52pm »
Welcome to the site MHURST. Not sure what you mean by triggers. But know that drunk or sober life has ups and downs. Sober I can deal with them better. Life has a whole lot more meaning for me now than it use to. It takes time and trial and errors for me to learn to live life on life's terms. Hang in there. You will make it. Hope you keep going to meetings and a positive support team. Take care.
Re: Tradition One « Reply #12 on Sept 21, 2009, 7:51am »
At the conference this weekend I found the article I was sharing about. It is called "Tradition Checklist from the AA Grapefine.
These questions are originally published in the AA Grapevine in conjunction with a series on the Twelve Traditions that began in November 1969 and ran through September 1971. While they are originally intended primarily for individual use, many AA Groups have since used them as a basis for wider discussion.
Practice these principles...
1. Am I in my group a healing, mending, integrating person, or am I divisive? What about gossip and take other people's inventory. 2. Am I a peacemaker? Or do I, with pious preludes such as "Just for the sake of discussion" plunge into arguement. 3. Am I gentle with those who rub me the wrong way, or am I abrasive? 4. Do I make competitive AA remarks, such as comparing one group with another or contracting AA in one place with Aa in another? 5. Do I put down AA activities as if I were superior for not participating in this or that aspect of AA? 6. Am I informed about AA as a whole? Do I support, in every way I can, AA as a whole; or just the parts I understand and approve of? 7. Am I as considerate of AA members as I want them to be to me? 8. Do I spout platitudes about love while indulging in and secretly justifying behavior that bristles with hostility? 9. Do I go to enough AA meetings or read enough AA literature to really keep in touch? 10. Do I share with AA all of me, the bad and the good, accepting as well as giving the help of fellowship?
Joined: Oct 2009 Gender: Female Posts: 143 Location: The South Karma: 1
Re: Tradition One « Reply #13 on Nov 15, 2009, 8:04am »
And a very useful tool for any group willing to look.
I was involved in one of these inventories and found it not only did a good job of the group looking at itself, but I as an individual got a lot out of it.
"I'm I part of the problem or part of the solution?"
We have found much of heaven and we have been rocketed into the fourth dimension of existence of which we had not even dreamed. ~Alcoholic Anonymous Pg. 25
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