Principles, not Personalities

 Judgement has always been one of my character challenges. It’s the tool I find myself using to gauge where I am; to find myself worthy, I suppose, by using comparison.

In the working of my program, I am confronted with this tendency. I am challenged to find my way through communication with my Higher Power, and through confronting myself whenever I find myself in the process of judging.

Judging another person on the path is noticing and focusing in on our differences, rather than what makes us fellow journeyers on the path of sobriety. I’m learning to put those differences aside, and to see that when I don’t, I’m impeding my own growth. We are different people, with different backgrounds and beliefs. The thing that binds us together as one is the program. When I concentrate on how I am like the person I’ve judged, I can see and feel our kinship. We purposefully don’t bring politics or other hot outside issues into the rooms, so that we can all work together on our individual spiritual awakenings through sobriety and “conscious contact” with our Source as we understand It.

Working the 12 Steps is maintenance of connection with God, with others, and with my shadow issues. It reminds me to hold tight to the principles we are made aware of, and to practice them always, everywhere, no alcohol needed.


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