It’s always helpful to this alcoholic, when we discuss why we are here. And today we went to the Third Tradition to get that reminder. It brought up some things we need to think about. One was opinions vs. knowledge. The other was the exclusive need for the First Tradition.
I know that when I came in that I had more than a desire to stop drinking. I came here determined to never drink again ever. I had had it with my drinking alcohol. It had almost made me want to kill myself because I couldn’t stop drinking. I had tried and failed again and again. But the gift of hope opened the door for me to surrender to my Higher Power and ask for help. I got it and the desire to drink alcohol vanished and I came right into the program and haven’t left since.
As I listened to others I became impressed with a few who obviously had read and studied the Traditions. One of whom actually read from the literature on this. I know how well those old timers were back when I came in, when it came to the Traditions. They had meetings on just these, the Traditions, over and over again, and these finally penetrated this ignorant mind of mine. I’m grateful that I was privileged to attend these back then. I rarely see this today.
That Third Tradition brings the First to mind. Our primary purpose, to stop drinking alcohol and stay sober. I learned from what I have read and heard at these meetings that I have to put my personal agendas aside for the good of the program. I was told that I had to develop some humility and give up my desire to discuss other things which have nothing to do with alcohol and sobriety. The founders had taken the information they had gained from knowledge of what had happened to the Washingtonians back in the 1860s, who had fallen apart because of issues other than alcohol. Some even said had that group had these Traditions that would never have happened. They knew that we had to have unity to sustain the singleness of purpose. It’s about alcohol and sobriety and nothing else.
In fact, I have seen some of what happens when we get off track and onto things other than alcohol specifically. Groups have fallen apart and dissolved. In fact it happened not too long ago where we are. That caused the groups to pass out announcements specifically to give notice to attendees that if they have the desire to stay sober they are welcome, but that they are to talk about alcohol exclusively when discussing problems. The need to put our pride and our egos aside for the good of the whole.
I know that when I think of these Traditions the one that jumps out at me is the one which tells us what our primary purpose is. The Fifth Tradition. We are here to carry the AA message to the alcoholic who still suffers. And the long form, which is short, reinforces the spiritual role of the group in doing this.
All this carries the message to this alcoholic on why I am here. It reinforces the desire within to never drink alcohol again and for me to stay sober a day at a time. It also reinforces the spiritual need I have within to depend on my Higher Power in order to live a spiritual life.
That’s why I need to stop and think about this. Why I am here in the first place and what this program has done for me. With the help of my Higher Power it has given me hope, faith, and a gift of freedom from the bondage of alcohol, and happiness, along with peace of mind. The restoration to sanity and the spiritual awakening. I am so grateful and am reminded that I only have to do this a day at a time.