Tradition Two

[caressa]

Happy for you, thanks for sharing. Hopefully the program will help you to deal with others. I have found that the Steps fill all occasions and fit all people, no matter what situation I am in. The traditions supply a healthy background to work them in.

Personally, I don't do church, but have no problems with being there if I feel the need. Haven't felt the need for a while although it has crossed my mind a time or two, when it does, I turn on church music.

[BW]

Tradition two reminds me of my right size...Humility is the key here..

Our home group ran into some problems as a result of pride and ego of individuals in service positions. When it was sugested that we read this tradtion at the beginning of our business meetings we get to be reminded that God works thru us and it is only by His grace that each of us are on this journey of reocvery and that further that it is thru His mercy that we get to be of service to share our ESH and to be of service to others.

[caressa]

Today's quote from AlkieSpeaks:

Our 2nd Tradition says that a loving God speaks through our group conscience. So I have the assurance that if I go to a meeting, willing to listen, there'll probably be a wino in the room who'll hit me right between the eyes with exactly what I need to hear. - Doug D.

How true this is. How often I have heard what I needed to hear from the very last person I wanted to hear it from. My sponsor always said, "Listen to the message. Don't look at the messenger. Carry the message but not the messenger."

[caressa]

TRADITION TWO: For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority -- a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
"A.A. is both a democracy and, in Bill W.'s words, 'a benign anarchy.' A group elects its own officers -- who have no power to ORDER anybody to do anything. "Then who's in charge here? A.A. is a spiritual movement, and so the 'ultimate authority' is the spiritual concept of the 'group conscience.' Its voice is heard when a well-informed group gathers to arrive at a decision...Minority ideas get thoughtful attention."

c. 1998, The Twelve Traditions Illustrated (A.A. Pamphlet P-43)

The Traditions are for the group and many people look at them as just that. I believe it is necessary to apply the spiritual principles of the Traditions to our lives as well as to the group. They are a learning tool to help us live in today.

This Tradition tells me I am not the only voice. I need to share and speak with all those concerned in my life, be it boss, family, and/or friends. I am no longer the great I am, I need to develop a conscience, a God-consciousness.

[majestyjo]

Take the Traditions and apply them to your home, work, and community.

[majestyjo]

Learning the Traditions, so I live long enough to work the Steps.

[majestyjo]

Learn the Traditions and apply them to your life, so you will live longer to work the Steps.