This Weeks Recovery Meeting 08/19/08-08/25/08

[arthur.g]

Principles before Personalities


My name is Arthur I am an Alcoholic/Addict this saying has a lot of depth for me it tells me never to place individuals on a pedestal, We are all equal, how ever as my illness progressed, I had to become someone who had no principles whatsoever, I realise I had no consideration for other peoples feelings it was always me me me. I had to play the big shot lying stealing cheating were necessary to survive and became a natural way of life, I couldnt talk to anyone about it WHY? because my huge ego would be deflated and I dared not tell the truth about me, In the end I had to when I done my step 4 in treatment and boy did I put in the effort. EASY DOES IT BUT DO IT because HALF MEASURES AVAIL US NOTHING.
I started to get some sanity back and the despair I felt for so many years started to lift as I told the truth about ME.
I became willing to make amends to people I have hurt to the best of my ability and it has been getting easier. The greastest gift came to me as I started to be truthful about me that gift is peace of mind I hope you find it.
As I have peace of mind I dont need to run and hide and escape from myself into oblivion because I cannot face up to life on lives terms.

Since I have started on my road of recovery A.A life is so much easier my circumstances with my family and friends might not be the best but I am working this programme to the best of my ability and finally doing what A.A suggests.

If you are sober still irratible and discontent and havent looked at the programme give it a try I did and believe me it works. If you are feeling like this and have done the programme, then maybe it is time you spoke to your sponsor again.

Arthur.g
grateful alcoholic/addict

[clean42day]

12.Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.

The principle of anonymity is part of the foundation that Narcotics Anonymous has been built upon. It literally means "without name" or "without identity and personality". We practice anonymity by setting aside all those things that we use to judge, discriminate, and separate ourselves from each other. In N.A., we are all equals and welcome one another as "family". This is the only place in the world where people love and accept us because of who we are, rather than in spite of who we are. We believe that there is God in each of us, and that this is the anonymity. When we can recognize this and act accordingly we demonstrate respect. When we push each other away we're really pushing God away, and when we don't respect each other we're really showing disrespect for God. Anonymity protects us from this, takes the focus off our differences, and lets us see the similarities. "I" has a personality, but "we" have principles; "I can't, we can".

[rebosman_99]

I found this a hard topic to write about. I actually read it yesterday and pondered on it until this morning....
For me this means not allowing my own defects of character to invade the program of recovery in any way. I found that in A.A as well as in everyday life there is always a little Peyton Place going on. People get upset with others, then use there tongue in silent lashings toward persons or groups and yada yada yada!!!! And with all my shortcomings I could very well fall into the whole business of character assasination.
However today I work very hard at not being judgemental and holding no opinion on anything other than my own personal recovery and the well being of others.
People in recovery that I don't know are friends that I haven't met yet... I like to keep it this way.
So getting back to basics and remembering why I came into recovery when I did reminds me of why I am here and what my primary purpose is.......

sam

[Craig A.]

Good topic! Sometimes a hard one to remember, this phrase has helped me in the past " You don't have to like everybody, you just have to love everybody", a friend shared that with me when I had a resentment with someone; I did not like to hear that. I also didn't understand that either at first but sticking around I understand it better. There are some strong personalities in A.A. and the outside world and I may not like their behaviors or actions but I remember that it is the behavior/actions I don't like not the person themselves. Nobody's perfect there are steps/traditions to help me if I pick them up and read them. I also look at myself and that usually brings me back to earth!!! Good topic and look forward to reading other responses!!!

[clean42day]

but I remember that it is the behavior/actions I don't like not the person themselves

seperating the behavior from the person has helped me greatley to not personalize something. The Ego doesn't like that - it wants to make someone else wrong and pay the price.....................

so it is not so much that I practice principials over other peoples personalities as I have to practice principals over my own (ego) personality.

That usually gives me so much work to do - I don't have the time to focus on others.

light and love

Gail

[arthur.g]

MY HIGHER POWER SAYS THIS IS AN HONEST PROGRAMME MY EGO AGREES

[admin]

For me it's remembering we are each a child of God's and He loves each one of us no matter what and for me to love others as He loves me. Now that's a tall order and one I have to pray more on at times than others.