A Dozen Steps

The Spiritual Substance of Anonymity is Sacrifice

by Mark on December 2nd, 2007

So begins the talk about the Twelfth Tradition in the 12&12.

It then goes on to say;

“Because A.A.’s Twelve Traditions repeatedly ask us to give up personal desires for the common good, we realize that the sacrificial spirit - well symbolized by anonymity - is the foundation of them all. It is A.A.’s proved willingness to make these sacrifices that gives people their high confidence in our future.”

And it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that all the well publicized, loud and outspoken, violent critics of Alcoholics Anonymous, have no idea, none, zero, what this means. Funny, isn’t it, how they are the ones who want to be seen from the rooftops spewing their venom out loud?

The same applies to 13th Steppers and anyone else who comes to AA to fulfill any personal agenda other than recovery from alcoholism. I believe it was an act of providence that walked me into recovery in AA, therefore, how could I be so self-centered to stay in order to satisfy some lower level of my nature?

Of course, the end result is inevitable. HP has a tendency to level the playing field.

“Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.”

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POSTED IN: The Twelve Traditions