Avoiding Controversy

 Singleness of purpose. It’s an important principle; one which has served us well. I can adopt this into the way I interact with others, when I’m aware of what I’m saying. In the rooms, that singleness of purpose becomes life-changing, and sometimes life-saving.

I am a sovereign being. I am entitled to form my own opinions and to act on them or to ignore them. No one is keeping score. The tricky part, for me, is in remembering that everyone else has that same privilege, and I don’t have to have a say. I don't get to have a say, unless I’m asked. Controversy arises when I think others must agree with me. 

In those times when I feel frustration at the opinions or actions of others, I have to ask myself if any of it is my business. Ofttimes the answer is “no”, but sometimes my conscience demands that I speak up. How I do so is important. Is someone in the rooms veering from the principles? Am I sure? I need to take my concern to my sponsor or another trusted individual to get their input., then make a decision to speak up or wait.

This is a good example to me to living life outside of the rooms as well. It’s trickier - we don’t necessarily share the same set of values, and I don’t get to say that mine trump yours. That doesn’t always stop me! But then, principles are those things which guide each of us individually. Do I need to involve myself in a controversy? How can I do so while respecting the rights of those with whom I disagree? How important is it?

There is a lot of wisdom in the snippets and sayings which are applicable to all of my life, but none more so than the Serenity Prayer:

God, grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, and Wisdom to know the difference.