Anonymity is the Spiritual Foundation of all Our Traditions Ever reminding us to Place Principles above Personalities
Courage to Change Page 20
Anonymity makes it possible to leave not only our sir- names, but our labels and expectations, with which we have been burdened, outside the rooms.Through our commitment to anonymity we can put aside WHATWE are aND Begin to KNOW Who we are.
todays reminder
In taking my place among the thousand of anonymous individuals, who make up this fellowship I know I need never have to be alone.I will not jeopardize this valuable resource by violating its most fundamental principles.
My Share
I do love all the Traditions and this is one of my favorites. It reminds me that all the titles I have hidden behind in the outside world were all just Masks that I wore to protect my inner self from the world.I sort of boxed up my spiritual self, the part that held my instincts, feelings, intuition, and did not call on this part while interacting in the world.When I entered Ala none and was not able to talk about my job, my political opinions, my family, my friends I was lost. What and who I was and how to access that part of me?Meetings, alanon tools and sharing helped me to rediscover and trust that part of my being Thank you alanon.
Principles above personalities are also a great toolFirst I had to identify my principles and then place them above mine and others personalities.Before I placed this tool as an important part of my living I was always confused and drifting.
I placed personalities about principles.If I wanted to do something or if someone I liked wanted to do something that I disapproved of ---I would overlook it and laugh.If I did not like you I was judgmental and critical of the same action I condoned in my friends and myself.
I now have my principles in place.I do not gossip, judge, critique. I take no one elses inventory but my own. I live one day at a time focused on myself and trusting HP
I have learned to pray for serenity, courage and wisdom and NOT MY WILL
I love living by principles and not trying to enforce others to do the same
Tradition 12 QUESTIONS
SO I GUARD THE ANONIMITY OF OTHERS?
DO I REMEMBER NOT TO IDENTIFY ANY SHARE THAT I HEAR IN THE ROOMS?
DO i PUT ASIDE MY TITLES AND MASKS WHEN i ATTEND MEETINGS AND SHARE HONESTLY?
WHAT ARE THE ALANON PRINCIPLES THAT I HAVE INCORPORATED INTO MY DAILY LIVING?
DO I PRACTICE MY ALANON PRINCIPLES WHILE AT WORK, HOME OR SHOPPING?
DavidG said
Oct 5, 2012
hotrod wrote:
TRADITION TWELVE (12)
Anonymity is the Spiritual Foundation of all Our Traditions Ever reminding us to Place Principles above Personalities
I grew up in a family with values principles and ethics. But sometimes these were turned around completely. We had different liquour laws when I was a kid and I heard stories about hiding from the police. The local policeman was my foreman when I did harvesting in my early teens. He got free liquour and a fair bit of free time. To me the whole world seemed topsy turvey.
The steps gave me a heart, and the traditions gave me a backbone. I have really enjoyed this 12 weeks of tradition study. It took some of the tweaks and wobbles out of my backbone, and made it a bit more flexible.
It is very very easy to tell people who are reliable and do not gossip too much. Inside of all out 12 step groups we have a culture of trust and respect. And I think that friendship is infectious. There is a certain amount we can talk about, and need to talk about... that is why we have a group conscience. And as we go along we learn the balance, and the limits, from more experienced members.
In our Alanon closing we say "-you may not like all of us but you will love us in a very special way, the same way we already love you." We come from very different backgrounds and lifestyles. But as always we look for the similarities and not the differences. And we find them.
Last week I was along the lake, out walking the dogs. I saw Molly sniffing at something and found a watch. It was probably worth 70c- the strap was broken, the reason it had become seperated from its owner.
But then it might have been a special present, a keep-sake... I turned it in to the police. Will get it in 3 months if it is not claimed. Maybe the battery will be flat.
Nevermind- I did the right thing, one less thing to lose sleep over.
Yes, and these habits lead, in the end, to serenity.
In three weeks we have our local assembly. This would be the southernmost assembly in the whole wide world. This brush-up with the old traditions has been great for me... and good for Alanon. No longer should anyone feel far away.
Thanks Betty
hotrod said
Oct 9, 2012
Dear David
Thank you for your powerful share and for the example of placing principles above personalities. I agree the Steps and Traditions are truly practical tools to live by.
Thanks for sharing this journey through the Steps and Traditions It has been really expanded my understanding and willingness to practice these principles in all my affairs.
TRADITION TWELVE (12)
Anonymity is the Spiritual Foundation of all Our Traditions Ever reminding us to Place Principles above Personalities
Courage to Change Page 20
Anonymity makes it possible to leave not only our sir- names, but our labels and expectations, with which we have been burdened, outside the rooms. Through our commitment to anonymity we can put aside WHAT WE are aND Begin to KNOW Who we are.
todays reminder
In taking my place among the thousand of anonymous individuals, who make up this fellowship I know I need never have to be alone. I will not jeopardize this valuable resource by violating its most fundamental principles.
My Share
I do love all the Traditions and this is one of my favorites. It reminds me that all the titles I have hidden behind in the outside world were all just Masks that I wore to protect my inner self from the world. I sort of boxed up my spiritual self, the part that held my instincts, feelings, intuition, and did not call on this part while interacting in the world. When I entered Ala none and was not able to talk about my job, my political opinions, my family, my friends I was lost. What and who I was and how to access that part of me? Meetings, alanon tools and sharing helped me to rediscover and trust that part of my being Thank you alanon.
Principles above personalities are also a great tool First I had to identify my principles and then place them above mine and others personalities. Before I placed this tool as an important part of my living I was always confused and drifting.
I placed personalities about principles. If I wanted to do something or if someone I liked wanted to do something that I disapproved of ---I would overlook it and laugh. If I did not like you I was judgmental and critical of the same action I condoned in my friends and myself.
I now have my principles in place. I do not gossip, judge, critique. I take no one elses inventory but my own. I live one day at a time focused on myself and trusting HP
I have learned to pray for serenity, courage and wisdom and NOT MY WILL
I love living by principles and not trying to enforce others to do the same
Tradition 12 QUESTIONS
SO I GUARD THE ANONIMITY OF OTHERS?
DO I REMEMBER NOT TO IDENTIFY ANY SHARE THAT I HEAR IN THE ROOMS?
DO i PUT ASIDE MY TITLES AND MASKS WHEN i ATTEND MEETINGS AND SHARE HONESTLY?
WHAT ARE THE ALANON PRINCIPLES THAT I HAVE INCORPORATED INTO MY DAILY LIVING?
DO I PRACTICE MY ALANON PRINCIPLES WHILE AT WORK, HOME OR SHOPPING?
Dear David
Thank you for your powerful share and for the example of placing principles above personalities. I agree the Steps and Traditions are truly practical tools to live by.
Thanks for sharing this journey through the Steps and Traditions It has been really expanded my understanding and willingness to practice these principles in all my affairs.
Thanks again David and Enjoy your Conference.
Bettty