Monday, September 15, 2014

What are the principles we are supposed to "practice in all our affairs"?




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I attended a meeting a while ago where the lead and discussion were on Step 12,  (Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.)  When it was their turn to speak, a person who had been around for a while, but less than a year, asked this question.  "What does it mean,  and practice these principals in all our affairs"? They went on.....
basically asking for a definition or explanation of  principles. The rest of the group members (me included) combined had probably over 100 years of sobriety. For the first time I can remember there was a long delay before anyone was willing to take a shot at answering the newcomer.  I was surprised with how far ranging the opinions were and how some people honestly said they weren't sure how to answer the question.

Then as months went on it seemed as if God was answering the question for everyone who attends this meeting.  Many leads seemed to focus on the concept of principles we are striving for. As this topic carried on,  it eventually became a major theme for a Men's Spiritual retreat that is held twice a year in Williams Bay, Wisconsin on Lake Geneva.

One of the workshops at the retreat was to discuss the topic of principals and then do some self-examination of where each of us stood in regard to living these principals in our lives. Bookmarks were passed out that depicted that the principals we should be striving to follow are simply the opposite of our character defects. So the 2-sided card had a list of defects and their polar opposite, principals.

The following are both lists: 

Principals                                          Defects 

1.   Interest in others 1.   Selfish Self-seeking
2.   Honest 2.   Dishonest
3.   Faith 3.   Fear
4.   Belief 4.   Doubt
5.   Humility 5.   Pride
6.   Considerate 6.   Inconsiderate
7.   Giving or Sharing 7.   Greed
8.   Purity 8.   Lust
9.   Calm-Serenity 9.   Anger
10.  Gratefulness 10. Envy
11.  Action 11  Sloth
12.   Moderation 12. Gluttony
13.   Patience 13.  Impatience
14.  Tolerance 14.  Intolerance
15.   Forgiveness 15.  Resentment
16    Love-Empathy 16.   Hate
17.   Program of action 17.    Self-pity
18.   Trust 18.    Worry




How do you feel about the above list?

How would you have answered the newcomers question?
                                                                               




4 comments:

  1. The list is a complete one that's for sure. As I look through it I can see many areas that need work in my life, but also notice how many that have improved in the past 14 months(sober time). I would have told the newcomer that complete sobriety means more than abstinence. Honesty is honesty & love is love everywhere in the world, not just in these AA rooms!!

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  2. Steve, Thanks for the comment. I really like your insight that we can view this as progress made as well as areas needing correction. I do a tenth step list almost every day and I list both the positive and negative thoughts and actions of the day. It helps to write it down and look at it. This way i can see and celebrate areas of progress as well as areas that I need to go back to steps 6 and 7 on.

    Congratulations on your 14 months!

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    1. Thanks Rick. You see whats happening here don't you my friend? We just had a mini AA meeting with just 2 comments. When this takes off, and it will, it'll become a meeting whenever someone needs one. Kudos to your children for poking and prodding you to start this blog. Keep posting--i wake up each morning anxious to see what's on your mind--gives me something to think about for the day. I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  3. You are absolutely right Steve. That's what i was hoping for...to get a little dialogue going on various recovery topics..much better than doing it in emails since you cant see what everyone's saying.

    I will try to keep posting interesting recovery ideas, topics, stories, etc 2-3 times per week.

    Thanks for the meeting!

    Rick H.

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