The AA Blog » AA Traditions http://theaablog.com The Global Alcoholics Anonymous Community Thu, 17 May 2012 12:06:25 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Solidarity http://theaablog.com/2011/10/09/solidarity/ http://theaablog.com/2011/10/09/solidarity/#comments Sun, 09 Oct 2011 22:02:25 +0000 Marc http://theaablog.com/?p=1004 by Fran Dancing Feather
Solidarity is a “solid” concept, usually referring to unity among a group or community of people based on common interests, objectives and standards. Our whole self-perception or identity is based on a solidarity that is either strongly intact or haphazardly scattered. Who am I? The answer to this question has much to define about our own personal solidarity and self-esteem. At this time of advanced worldwide communication and social networking our personal solidarity can influence positive change one day at a time. Most native peoples share within our own communities, a sense of Tribal solidarity. Members of various churches, clubs and recovery groups share a common solidarity. If we follow a set of organized principles outlined by any culture, tradition, country, genealogy or geography there is a sense of solidarity within us. If we live in the United States we share the common solidarity of being known as “Americans”, even though we may differ radically on ideas of politics, personal values, religion or national origin. However we perceive, judge or evaluate ourselves defines our personal solidarity. Do we see ourselves as victims or do we feel confident and strong? Are we powerless or powerful, young and strong or old and weak? Or are we older and stronger then ever? Perhaps we are young and filled with hope and enthusiasm as we face an exciting future.
Dignity, respect and a confident outlook on life characterize strong positive personal solidarity. In recovery, we learn that an attitude of gratitude changes everything for us. At first we have to practice making gratitude lists as we learn to grow into strong positive healed humans. Faith grows with the constant stream of miracles among us. As we help others, we begin to realize our own strengths and weaknesses. The steps heal our frailties and carrying the message helps us to discover our primary purpose. We don’t shoot our wounded. Instead we try to help and nurture them into lasting recovery. If they need additional help beyond what is available in meetings, we offer to help creatively search for resources, continuously increasing our own level of knowledge and wisdom. As sober humans, we find our place in this world through various means of experimentation and listening to and sharing with others. Fellowship is as vital as following the guidelines in the book and attending meetings. Remaining teachable is our greatest asset and sensible discernment, our greatest protection.
Solidarity is a dignified sense of maturity. After some time in recovery we have learned to stand tall and self-assured even in the face of conflict because we have learned to respond to the challenges in our lives rather then react to them. As the book says, we “meet calamity with serenity”. In that response, we find we have become dignified and solid self-actualizing adults. We have achieved solidarity within our recovery. As a group of recovering people, we have no opinion on outside issues. As individuals we surely do. We make informed decisions on our personal issues in regards to politics, religion or spirituality, culture and things like parenting and relationship values. Our personal views on subjects outside recovery are not appropriate to be expressed in meetings but they do form our individual solidarity and identity.
The most respected elders in Indian country are people of dignity who lead others to cultural solidarity and sovereignty that will provide not only survival as a race but nobility and respect for generations to come. Respected elders in recovery are much the same. They lead by example, strength and spiritual principles. In their eyes we see hope and courageous perseverance that promises us a better life than we have ever known. We do well to follow their lead by developing our own sacred values and principles that will hold strong and solid and lead others into the sunlight of the Spirit of Creation. A-Ho!

Website: http://frandancingfeather.com/

 

 

]]> http://theaablog.com/2011/10/09/solidarity/feed/ 1 Open Invitation http://theaablog.com/2011/09/02/open-invitation/ http://theaablog.com/2011/09/02/open-invitation/#comments Fri, 02 Sep 2011 14:00:37 +0000 Marc http://theaablog.com/?p=947 We are pleased to invite anyone, with a problem with alcohol and currently in recovery for at least one year, to send us something you have written about recovery.

We are all story tellers and that innate ability has helped many of us share about ourselves and uncover truths, as well as assist others find keys to their own recovery.

Your anonymity will be protected. We do request that you tell us something about yourself to help us qualify you as a prospect for this project and a way to contact you.

There will not be any fees or dues associated with your submissions. We only want to tell stories to help others in their recovery.

Love and Tolerance.

]]> http://theaablog.com/2011/09/02/open-invitation/feed/ 0 Chapter 8: To Wives http://theaablog.com/2011/07/04/chapter-8-to-wives/ http://theaablog.com/2011/07/04/chapter-8-to-wives/#comments Mon, 04 Jul 2011 18:29:49 +0000 Marc http://theaablog.com/?p=867 From The Author: These are my opinions, I do not represent any fellowship or group. It is what I believe and if you do not agree with me that is fine, we can both be productive members of our community.

The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous was published in 1939 and reflects the values and social mores of that time. The message of recovery it contains has not been diminished, nor has it changed in the last 75 year. The solution is within us and is manifested by our relationship with our Higher Power.

The teachings in the book are stories of the struggles of others with the same disease of the mind and body. We are taught not to compare ourselves with those in the stories, but to try and identify. If we do, then maybe we are real alcoholics and this book can help us find a solution to recovery. The words used to describe our conditions and the solutions suggested are always positive and told from the aspect of one alcoholic working with another. Above all else there is honesty about the suggestions in the solution offered.  There is also a guiding principle of accepting ourselves and being loving and gentle with others.

With these thoughts in mind the eighth chapter, To Wives, has always bothered me because a man writes it as if it is a woman sharing her thoughts and suggestions on standing by her man. I understand it was 1939, a different mentality existed, but it is now 2011. How about some updating? By being dishonest in its presentation it becomes manipulative. We can do better.

Why not come at it from the angle of…”I am a man and these are the insecurities and struggles I am having that I could use my partner’s help with. Let’s have an honest dialogue about what you and I can do different to understand and love each other unconditionally.”

Let’s suggest a good old-fashioned heart-to-heart conversation between two loving adults. The way it is written today it is degrading to women and it doesn’t address the issue of same-sex relationships.

Our Big Book has stood the test of time and succeeded for over 70 years. I believe if it is to continue to attract newcomers and be open not only to people of all religions and all lifestyles then it needs to be honest about all relationships, heterogeneous and homogenous.  To date it isn’t even honest about heterogeneous.

]]> http://theaablog.com/2011/07/04/chapter-8-to-wives/feed/ 3 The Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) http://theaablog.com/2009/05/04/the-twelve-traditions-of-alcoholics-anonymous-aa/ http://theaablog.com/2009/05/04/the-twelve-traditions-of-alcoholics-anonymous-aa/#comments Mon, 04 May 2009 13:33:41 +0000 admin http://theaablog.com/?p=388 It isn’t often that we post “traditional” aspects of Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.). However, taking the time to display the more traditional side of A.A. is just as important as covering current media, website reviews and everything else we do here at The AA Blog. The following is a slightly compressed version of the twelve traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.).

1. Personal recovery and lasting sobriety depends on A.A. unity. The common welfare of the group should come first.

2. There is one ultimate authority, a loving God (as we see him).

3. The only requirement for an individual to join Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) is the desire to stop drinking.

4. All groups should operate independently except in matters affecting other Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) groups.

5. The primary purpose of Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) is to carry its message to other people suffering from alcohol abuse.

6. An Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) group should never endorse, finance or lend its name to any outside corporation as it may divert attention for the fellowship’s ultimate purpose.

7. Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) groups should be self supporting and decline any contributions.

8. Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) should remain non-professional. However, an A.A. service center may employ workers for special purposes.

9. Although Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) should remain non-professional, an A.A. center may create service boards or committees responsible for the people they serve.

10. Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.), as a group, has no opinions on outside issues and should never be drawn into public controversy over such opinions.

11. Public Relations for Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A) should be based for attraction rather than promotion.

12. All members of Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) should place principles before personalities. Anonymity is the foundation of Alcoholics Anonymous

]]> http://theaablog.com/2009/05/04/the-twelve-traditions-of-alcoholics-anonymous-aa/feed/ 1