“The Great Paradox”

Which is today’s Daily Reflection;

“These legacies of suffering and of recovery are easily passed among alcoholics, one to another. This is our gift from God, and its bestowal upon others like us is the one aim that today animates A.A.’s all around the globe.”

Notice it says “Our Gift From God.” It is my personal opinion that those of us who keep this gift all to themselves (or tell us they do their “work” outside AA) are some of the most truly arrogant human beings on the planet!

“The great paradox of A.A. is that I know I cannot keep the precious gift of sobriety unless I give it away. My primary purpose is to stay sober. In A.A. I have no other goal, and the importance of this is a matter of life or death for me.”

Well, kudos to you, I guess you’ve found some other way to conquer the challenge of life or death…

Post from: Blisstree

Oldtimers! Listen Up!

From the wikipedia;

“Autonomy (Greek: Auto-Nomos – nomos meaning “law”: one who gives oneself his/her own law) is the right to self-government. Autonomy is a concept found in moral, political, and bioethical philosophy. Within these contexts, it refers to the capacity of a rational individual to make an informed, uncoerced decision. In moral and political philosophy, autonomy is often used as the basis for determining moral responsibility for one’s actions. One of the best known philosophical theories of autonomy was developed by Kant. In medicine, respect for the autonomy of patients is an important goal for doctors and other health-care professionals, though it can conflict with a competing ethical principle, beneficence. Politically, it is also used to refer to the self-governing of a people.”

Got it?

Each group should be autonomous. I take this to mean that, as a group, we make our own decisions and are able to “run” our groups as we see fit. That is, unless we step outside reasonable boundaries doing something that can harm our neighboring groups which would be “AA as a whole.”

For example, two groups have simultaneous meetings in the same area within close proximity, drawing members from the same folks. Close enough where an attitude develops because one group is suffering financially from lack of money and membership. The group that is short of members decides to go on a recruitment drive.

Use your imagination. How would they do that and isn’t that really the wrong thing to do? They would be trying to draw members away from the other group, hurting them in turn.

I’m not talking about groups on different sides of town. I’m relating to groups very close to each other, groups that might have been formed out of resentment. It happens. And it’s just an example.

I believe it leads to things like anniversaries every week at one group. Hearing “circuit speakers” at one group constantly. Dinners and dances in inordinate numbers. Flyers handed out. All of which is promotion instead of attraction yet it is an attitude problem to start with. It’s called ego and pride. It is old behavior.

Here’s the basis;

“In ethics, autonomy refers to a person’s capacity for self-determination in the context of moral choices. Kant argued that autonomy is demonstrated by a person who decides on a course of action out of respect for moral duty. That is, an autonomous person acts morally solely for the sake of doing “good”, independently of other incentives.”

Substitute “group” for “person.”

Post from: Blisstree

Autonomy

To paraphrase: “Alcoholics and addicts are different. Once an addict gets what they need they don’t need it anymore. When an alcoholic drinks their need is never satisfied.” I think that covers it…

My question to you is “Are you an addict?” Your answer – no. Oh, and btw – I put the word “drug” ahead of addict. What the hey difference does that make? The rationalization? An addict has a point where they are “satiated.” Satiated? What does that mean? (“Pleasantly satisfied or full, as with food”). Did you attempt to tell me the addict has had enough? I’ve never, never known an addict who was “pleasantly satisfied!” I.E., what you just did at an open meeting attended by mostly addicts and alcoholics is talk outchyer butt.

Before you say it – I passionately believe in the “sanctity” of singleness of purpose in AA and any other 12 Step program. The irony also includes the fact that the comment had no basis, i.e. nothing existed in the previous sharing that warranted the remark.

Sadly, I have a relatively honest idea of where this comes from. When people are influenced by those they’ve come to believe and respect, they’ll mimic them and pass along whatever they say including foolishness. The person who said this is a good man. Too bad he’s influenced by someone who doesn’t truly believe he’s good enough and has to sponsor half the county to appear that way. Who has to contradict solid, hard-earned experience to appear that way. Who has to “discover” new profundities with regularity to appear that way. Who has to separate himself from the rest of us by climbing to the top of the heap or hiding beneath it. Yet, many of you have been influenced yourselves and invite folks like this to speak at your conventions. Bad business…

Post from: Blisstree

Yes, This One Got My Goat

Page 146, 12&12;

“Over the years, every conceivable deviation from our Twelve Steps and Traditions has been tried. That was sure to be, since we are so largely a band of ego-driven individualists. Children of chaos, we have defiantly played with every brand of fire, only to emerge unharmed and, we think, wiser. These very deviations created a vast process of trial and error which, under the grace of God, has brought us to where we stand today.”

I love the descriptive language: “ego-driven individualists,” “children of chaos,” “defiantly.” All of which cement the idea that the words I’m reading surely must apply to me…

What certainly became the rallying cry back then was this that has been passed on to us;

“The A.A. group would have to stick to its course or be hopelessly lost. Sobriety had to be its sole objective. In all other respects there was perfect freedom of will and action. Every group had the right to be wrong.”

Sobriety – sole objective! And a principle I can incorporate into my personal life – “everyone has the right to be wrong!”

Post from: Blisstree

Tradition Four