Tradition Eleven — Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio and films.
In the book Dr. Bob And The Good Oldtimers (page 264) he (Dr. Bob) said "Since our tradition on anonymity designates the exact level where the line should be held, it must be obvious to everyone who can read and understand the English language that to maintain anonymity at any other level is definitely a violation of this tradition."
Isn't that interesting? We should be anonymous only at the level of press, radio and films. It doesn't say anything at all about hiding your indentity from other AA members. So why do so many people in AA think they commit the unpardonable sin if they give their last name? Perhaps it is simply fear. They are afraid you might actually call them and ask for help. I don't use my last name when I share during a meeting, because it isn't necessary, but I don't hesitate to give my last name to those I give my phone number to.
If we want the hand of AA to always be there for the suffering alcoholic we must be willing to let others know who we are. Let's not violate this tradition in either direction. Let's not tell the world we are in AA, but let's not keep it a secret either.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Surrender To Love
Decisions, decisions, decisions. Life is full of decisions. Sometimes it isn't easy to decide what the best course of action is. Sometimes it's all we can do to face up to the fact that we need to make a decision. If it happens to be a very important decision where the outcome could change our life or dramatically affect the life of another it can be much more frightening. What do we do in times like these? If only there was a simple guideline we could go by to help us to make the right decision. Oh wait; there actually is one.
As an alcoholic, who also happens to come from a dysfunctional family, I know what it is like to live in fear and to make decisions based on that fear. Even though fear is a great motivator it does not guarantee a right decision. In fact it can lead us to make a wrong decision. Love, on the other hand, will always lead us in the right direction. If we respond out of love to ourselves and others we can rest assured that the outcome will be rewarding.
I choose to surrender to the love in me - not to the fear.
As an alcoholic, who also happens to come from a dysfunctional family, I know what it is like to live in fear and to make decisions based on that fear. Even though fear is a great motivator it does not guarantee a right decision. In fact it can lead us to make a wrong decision. Love, on the other hand, will always lead us in the right direction. If we respond out of love to ourselves and others we can rest assured that the outcome will be rewarding.
I choose to surrender to the love in me - not to the fear.
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