In the years before the publication of the book, “Alcoholics Anonymous,” we had no name. . . . By a narrow majority the verdict was for naming our book “The Way Out.” . . . One of our early lone members . . . found exactly twelve books already titled “The Way Out.”. . . So “Alcoholics Anonymous” became first choice. That’s how we got a name for our book of experience, a name for our movement and, as we are now beginning to see, a tradition of the greatest spiritual import.
“A.A. TRADITION: HOW IT DEVELOPED,” pp. 35-36
Beginning with Bill’s momentous decision in Akron to make a telephone call rather than a visit to the hotel bar, how often has a Higher Power made itself felt at crucial moments in our history! The eventual importance that the principle of anonymity would acquire was but dimly perceived, if at all, in those early days. There seems to have been an element of chance even in the choice of a name for our Fellowship.
God is no stranger to anonymity and often appears in human affairs in the guises of “luck,” “chance,” or “coincidence.” If anonymity, somewhat fortuitously, became the spiritual basis for all of our Traditions, perhaps God was acting anonymously on our behalf.
“What is something I handled better today than I would have earlier in my sobriety?”
Today, hands down it is working with my ex. The day I got sober, we were absolutely not functional together. We were not only living on two different worlds, but two different planets. We were not right for eachother in a relationship, but the love of the family never stopped. I’ve been blessed to be able to continue my relationship with the kids and his parents over the years. I was blessed to be present while his dad was transitioning to the spirit realm with nothing but love between us. And the more I work my recovery, the more functional my ex and I can be to allow those relationships to continue and have all of us be on good terms. I am grateful for that today.
People who symbolize causes and ideas fill a deep human need. We of A.A. do not question that. But we do have to soberly face the fact that being in the public eye is hazardous, especially for us.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 181
As a recovered alcoholic I must make an effort to put into practice the principles of the A.A. program, which are founded on honesty, truth and humility. While I was drinking I was constantly trying to be in the limelight. Now that I am conscious of my mistakes and of my former lack of integrity, it would not be honest to seek prestige, even for the justifiable purpose of promoting the A.A. message of recovery. Is the publicity that centers around the A.A. Fellowship and the miracles it produces not worth much more? Why not let the people around us appreciate by themselves the changes that A.A. has brought in us, for that will be a far better recommendation for the Fellowship than any I could make.
“Where did I feel resistance today, and what might that resistance be trying to teach me?"
Work keeps coming up a lot in these prompts for me. I felt resistance today about taking the day off. I don’t want a pile of stuff to come back to, and I don’t have a backup person quite yet. What is this teaching me? To let go of control. That it’s ok to take some time for me. To practice the pause. That work will always be there whether I’m there or not-they can figure it out for 2 days. Sometimes it’s ok to just let things be what they actually are, no matter what it looks like. It’s uncomfortable to not just step in and get everything done that’s needed, but at the end of the day I could be replaceable at work. People are not replaceable though and life is short so it’ll be good to take the time instead and spend it with people that matter.
In the beginning, the press could not understand our refusal of all personal publicity. They were genuinely baffled by our insistence upon anonymity. Then they got the point. Here was something rare in the world—a society which said it wished to publicize its principles and its work, but not its individual members. The press was delighted with this attitude. Ever since, these friends have reported A.A. with an enthusiasm which the most ardent members would find hard to match.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 182
It is essential for my personal survival and that of the Fellowship that I not use A.A. to put myself in the limelight. Anonymity is a way for me to work on my humility. Since pride is one of my most dangerous shortcomings, practicing humility is one of the best ways to overcome it. The Fellowship of A.A. gains worldwide recognition by its various methods of publicizing its principles and its work, not by its individual members advertising themselves. The attraction created by my changing attitudes and my altruism contributes much more to the welfare of A.A. than self-promotion.
“Who or what reminded me that I’m not alone in recovery? How did I respond to that support?”
So many people remind me on a daily basis I am not in this alone. I am only in it alone if I choose to be. And man, what a powerful thing-to know I not only am not meant to do this all alone-but it’s actually best if I don’t. I’ve also been listening to an old HS friend follow their newer recovery path as they’ve been sharing their journey and that too has been wonderful to witness. All the hands that are coming together to help them too is beautiful. I am blessed to witness the power in us all working together for the common goal of getting better and living life differently. I am grateful to be present and a link in the recovery chain today.
Through many painful experiences, we think we have arrived at what that policy ought to be. It is the opposite in many ways of usual promotional practice. We found that we had to rely upon the principle of attraction rather than of promotion.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, pp. 180-81
While I was drinking I reacted with anger, self-pity and defiance against anyone who wanted to change me. All I wanted then was to be accepted by another human simply as I was and, curiously, that is what I found in A.A. I became the custodian of this concept of attraction, which is the principle of our Fellowship’s public relations. It is by attraction that I can best reach the alcoholic who still suffers.
I thank God for having given me the attraction of a well-planned and established program of Steps and Traditions. Through humility and the support of my fellow sober members, I have been able to practice the A.A. way of life through attraction, not promotion.
“What fear has been losing its power over me lately? How can I keep weakening it?”
My relationship fears. They run pretty deep! But, I’ve come to realize that with my HP, even if it doesn’t work out in the end I’m always going to be all good. The more I trust in my HP and keep working through my fears and triggers, the better it gets. We are 3.5 years in now and we just keep getting closer. My recovery helps to make this possible and I am grateful for this today.
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.
“What spiritual principle did I put into action today—intentionally or by accident?"
Practicing the pause. Slowing down. Thanking my HP for the beauty in my life. I was on my way home from a little black friday shopping (mostly window shopping at 2 smaller stores lol) and the sun was starting to set when I was by the lake. I stopped and took in the beauty around me. It was cold and windy, but I am glad I stopped. It reminded me that even if conditions aren’t always ideal, there is still lots of beauty in life to behold. This allowed me to talk to my HP in a way I probably wouldn’t have if I hadn’t stopped. And immediately I looked down and saw a heart. I know I was heard.
At the personal level, anonymity provides protection for all members from identification as alcoholics, a safeguard often of special importance to newcomers. At the level of press, radio, TV, and films, anonymity stresses the equality in the Fellowship of all members by putting the brake on those who might otherwise exploit their A.A. affiliation to achieve recognition, power, or personal gain.
“UNDERSTANDING ANONYMITY,” p. 5
Attraction is the main force in the Fellowship of A.A. The miracle of continuous sobriety of alcoholics within A.A. confirms this fact every day. It would be harmful if the Fellowship promoted itself by publicizing, through the media of radio and TV, the sobriety of well-known public personalities who became members of A.A. If these personalities happened to have slips, outsiders would think our movement is not strong and they might question the veracity of the miracle of the century. Alcoholics Anonymous is not anonymous, but its members should be.
“What is one way I can show compassion to myself this week that I usually withhold?”
This week I intend to give myself grace. It’s going to be a very busy one and instead of worrying about that and how I’m going to get everything done, I intend to just give myself grace and love in each moment it’s needed instead of being critical of myself for not getting everything done. It’s all good! I wrote that last night, and today I woke up not feeling great. I’m giving myself permission to have a lazy, restful & relaxing day today too.
Our Twelfth Step also says that as a result of practicing all the Steps, we have each found something called a spiritual awakening. . . . A.A.'s manner of making ready to receive this gift lies in the practice of the Twelve Steps in our program.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, pp. 106-07
I remember my sponsor’s answer when I told him that the Steps were “suggested.” He replied that they are “suggested” in the same way that, if you were to jump out of an airplane with a parachute, it is “suggested” that you pull the ripcord to save your life. He pointed out that it was “suggested” I practice the Twelve Steps, if I wanted to save my life. So I try to remember daily that I have a whole program of recovery based on all Twelve of the “suggested” Steps.
“What is one area of my life where I can choose progress instead of perfection this week?”
Today I am immediately drawn to my exercise routine. I often want to just jump right in & do alllll the things, but I again have to give myself grace. I want to be back to “normal” but I’m simply not and have to go slow. A big part of my recovery is learning how to have progress over perfection and far more balance than I ever had. I am grateful for the continuing lesson on this.
I love this question about choosing progress over perfection. A life in addiction highlighted my already installed tendency to hold to a rigid standard until it absolutely broke and went directly to chaos. Now, I’m working to become aware of my character defects and encourage myself to surrender them, while I invite my HP to remove them. I’m endeavoring to wear my recovered life as a looser garment, clothed in serenity and acceptance, rather than victimhood or its shadow side: the myth of self-madeness.
Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, . . .
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 106
As I continued to go to meetings and work the Steps, something began to happen to me. I felt confused because I wasn’t sure what it was that I was feeling, and then I realized I was experiencing serenity. It was a good feeling, but where had it come from? Then I realized it had come “. . . as the result of these steps.” The program may not always be easy to practice, but I had to acknowledge that my serenity had come to me after working the Steps. As I work the Steps in everything I do, practicing these principles in all my affairs, now I find that I am awake to God, to others, and to myself. The spiritual awakening I have enjoyed as the result of working the Steps is the awareness that I am no longer alone.
The day has just started for me, but I too feel the most connected in prayer. Another time I feel most grounded or connected, is at the gym. Exercise for me is very grounding and at times even spiritual. I even pray while on the treadmill lol
Me too! Me three! I’m at the end of my day here, but the best moments lately have been when I remember that God is in charge of the long game. I pedal, He steers. I’m listening to Aussie Benedictine Monk Mark Gladman’s Advent recordings on Insight Timer, this year called: Waiting with Matthew. It reminds me that I can be working and doing the next right thing and be waiting and listening for God’s guidance at the same time. No moments in recovery or attentive to my HP are wasted.
. . . we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 106
I find that carrying the message of recovery to other alcoholics is easy because it helps me to stay sober and it provides me with a sense of well-being about my own recovery. The hard part is practicing these principles in all my affairs. It is important that I share the benefits I receive from A.A., especially at home. Doesn’t my family deserve the same patience, tolerance and understanding I so readily give to the alcoholic? When reviewing my day I try to ask, “Did I have a chance to be a friend today and miss it?” “Did I have a chance to rise above a nasty situation and avoid it?” “Did I have a chance to say ‘I’m sorry,’ and refuse to?”
Just as I ask God for help with my alcoholism each day, I ask for help in extending my recovery to include all situations and all people!
