Established For Future Generations
November 28, 2006 by Mark
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
The old-timer (when I got sober dAAve, the old-timers were old!) told me “they” had handed me/us a legacy. I looked at him confused, not knowing what he meant.
The Eleventh Tradition: “Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, and film.”
From page 183 in the 12 and 12, the last paragraph;
“This Tradition is a constant reminder that personal ambition has no place in A.A. In it, each member becomes an active guardian of our Fellowship.”
We have the responsibility to do what it takes to make sure this is here for the next generation and all generations after that, of newcomers and sufferers. Let’s do it the way it was mapped out for us by those that came before us. And, keep constant vigilance for those who are here for their own personal agendas other than sobriety.
I know you know what I mean…
The truth of the matter for me is I thank God for those OLD TIMERS that were there when I got to the program to show me how this thing called Living in Recovery was done,so as best for me to build a foundation to live and be Happy Joyous and Free.I agree OLD TIMERS are becoming younger,but the Claw Marks this desease leaves are still the same and in some instances worst than ever.
Several times, I have brought in the Traditions as a meeting topic. Without fail, someone complains that they are not pertinent to their sobriety. To me, that line of thinking is incredibly short-sighted.
I may be new at this thing (3+ years) but I have the utmost of respect for ALL of the Traditions as written. Without them, we might as well close up the shop.
dAAve,
Please don’t lose your respect for the Traditions. They will be what keeps this together long after those who complain have either died or gone away, fortunately or unfortunately.
From the first paragraph of the First Tradition;
“The unity of Alcoholics Anonymous is the most cherished quality our Society has. Our lives, the lives of all to come, depend squarely upon it. We stay whole, or A.A. dies.”
And, from page 130, “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.”
You might try to tell those complaining knuckleheads that the Traditions are damn well pertinent to their sobriety. “If he deviates too far, the penalty is sure and swift; he sickens and dies.” How do we die? For us, to drink is to die. Piss on AA through the violation of the Traditions and eventually we’ll kill this gift. Then we’ll all sicken and die. It is our responsibility to not allow that to happen if possible. Keep doing what you’re doing dAAve!
I feel the same way Larry, thanks…
young ol timers?? when i came in i do recall the old timers being much older then i in living years , today i guess I’m one of the young old timers all though don’t think of myself as one but i know dam well and good to pass this thing on only the way it was passed on to me , at times I’m looked at with some judgment from these self proclaimed ol timers {5 to 10 }for being to hard on the new comers , i still believe had it not been given to me “the hard way” i ;d be a dead man , keep coming back and i better be there when that person i say that to comes back , set down shut up , was what i heard , what are you wiling to do today to stay sober ? if the answer was anything other then “anything ” i would have been given a few bucks and told “kid you have nt suffered enough go get drunk” thank God my answer was anything i was told 90 an 90 beginners mtg don;t count stay for the next one and step and tradition meetings ARE FOR YOU TOO.
LOVE YA ALL
Mark I agree thats a very strong comment made by Dave,it reflects to me what happens when a few strong will individuals throw there opinions around like its the Gospel of AA.
Hey Larry – see this “loving ny islander/nyr/boo bird up there ^
That’s Mr. Mike P. Yeah, the same Mr. Mike P. who on his 15th sober anniversary discovered that he was the “baby” of sobriety in anniversaries in his home group that month! lmao! The same Mr. Mike P. that is a dear friend and was taught by the same OLD-timers that taught me! He still hasn’t learned to use his spell checker and thinks its funny to jazz me about the Rangers/Islanders (who’s where there Mr. P.?).
I think he needs to keep comin’. What do you think?
me think i dont need to think duhh