Our Common Welfare

Oh – there’s Twelve Traditions too? hehe

I remember feeling like a banana when I heard about my first Traditions meeting and then heard so many say things like “oh no, a traditions meeting, forget it.” I wanted to join the bunch as normal, and run. Thankfully, someone (thank you whoever you were) made it clear to me I needed to be there.

Remember? From the First Step – “Under the lash of alcoholism, we are driven to A.A., and there we discover the fatal nature of our situation. Then, and only then, do we become as open-minded to conviction and as willing to listen as the dying can be. We stand ready to do anything which will lift the merciless obsession from us.”

Eventually, we come around long enough to hear and see that;

“Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity.”

The First Tradition.

From the 12 and 12;

“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 in my mind’s eye, the next thought is “if A.A. dies, I die. Alone.”

Why does that thought come to my mind? Remember now that I am as desperate as the dying can be… later on in the book I read “The A.A. member has to conform to the principles of recovery. His life actually depends upon obedience to spiritual principles. If he deviates too far, the penalty is sure and swift; he sickens and dies.”

Well, for the naysayers who think this is brain washing I say ****w you because I’ve been given the gift of a new, wonderful, happy life sober. Reminds me personally of a little “ditty” I read once about “He died for me,” the least I can do is live for Him. The least I can do for A.A. is maintain it the best I can with my small contribution.

Once again, this is a principle that can certainly be applied to each and every 12 step program eh?

A Sober, Clean Day To All,

Mark