Become Less Fearful And Rigid
May 10, 2007 by Mark
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
From the AA pamphlet “How AA Members Cooperate With Professionals”
Page 10 – #7; “As we mature in A.A., we generally become less fearful and rigid.”
I think this is a fine example of the debunking of a general, societal attitude that AA “thinks” it is the end all, be all to recovery. It says:
“Those of us blessed with recovery in A.A. need to remember that modesty will win more friends for A.A. than smugness, arrogance, or a know-it-all attitude. Saying “We know the only way to recovery” is an egotistical luxury we can no more afford than we can afford resentments.
However, shortly after we come into A.A. and begin to recover, we naturally feel great relief. We may find ourselves praised; within A.A., we begin to build a good reputation, which gradually replaces the shame of our drinking days.
This can easily turn into highly intense gratitude and loyalty to A.A. Then, almost before we know it, we may find ourselves sounding possessive and sensitive about A.A. – as if it were an exclusive society with a monopoly on the truth.
As recovery continues, we recall that thousands of us received aid from families and friends, a hospital or a clinic, a physician or a professional counselor. We realize that the boss who fired us, the relatives who scolded us, or the cop who warned us also helped us – helped us see we had a drinking problem.
We begin to outgrow our defensive possessiveness. With no less devotion to A.A., but without our former fanaticism, we start to lose our fear that some non-A.A. program or professional will usurp A.A.’s role, or take away our newly found pride, gratitude, and other good feelings. The longer we A.A. members stay sober, the more likely it is that we will say, “Anything that works toward recovery for the alcoholic is good, and this includes hospitals, rehabilitation centers, state or provincial alcoholism centers, religion, and psychiatry – as well as A.A.
Perhaps we become more ‘attractive’ examples of what A.A. can do, in line with our Tradition Eleven.”
My feeling is that my/our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety. However that occurs is what is important.
You’re absolutely correct dAAve, “however that occurs is what is important” which hinges on “attraction rather than promotion,” “in line with our Tradition Eleven.” Think about it…
The attractive example is that the program really worked without any funfair!
being the best example of the big book that I can be is what is the attraction part ,