We Stand—or Fall—Together

 We humans are opinionated, that’s what I think. I have my ideas about what is and what should be, and I have to fight the urge to expect others to play along.

Our founders had a pretty good grasp on human behavior. Early members had strong opinions about how this new association would best work, and who it would best serve. I can imagine some of their early meetings about how to ensure the future of A.A., and how raucous they probably were. Do it this way! Don’t do it that way! I have the best ideas! I have seniority! You don’t know squat!

Where would I be today if not for the foresight of those on the cutting edge, the fights and hurt feelings, the layers of personal growth which had to happen for the rooms of recovery to still be so remarkable after all this time? I’m going to guess that I wouldn’t have the slightest hope of being ‘happy, joyous, and free’.

These remarkable people had to learn the hard way that the more simple things were, the more likely the group writ large would survive. It has, and it will continue to do so thanks to the Traditions. Very clever, these people! Simplified into 12 just like the Steps, these outline the ways in which none of us have to rewrite the program or revisit what works. 

I am grateful for all they learned through trial and error, for the guidance they tuned into, and for the result of their growing pains. The Traditions have kept us going, and will continue to do so, keeping us all in the Sunlight of the Spirit, each according to the personal work we do.

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