Recovered Alcoholic

  Thank goodness for Tradition 10. “Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy.” “No A.A. group or member should ever, in such a way as to implicate A.A., express any opinion on outside controversial issues — particularly those of politics, alcohol reform, or sectarian religion. The Alcoholics Anonymous groups oppose no one. Concerning such matters they can express no views whatsoever.” "The relationship of the tenth tradition to the tenth step is this: I can be at peace and avoid outside issues by taking my inventory and not yours. I avoid controversy by taking stands with the attitude of a peacemaker. The tenth concept of service takes the process one step further and specifies what kind of inventory I should be writing about: The responsibilities for which God has given me authority. The tenth step poses the question, “ How can I survive successfully in the world by taking my own inventory and promptly ...

  "Outsiders are sometimes shocked when we burst into merriment over a seemingly tragic experience out of the past. But why shouldn't we laugh? We have recovered, and have been given the power to help others. "Alcoholics Anonymous, The Family Afterward, p. 132 Things that people stuff away or pretend didn't happen we can look at and laugh about because it doesn't own us. That doesn't mean I've normalized the tragic experiences, events or behavior, it means that I am not a victim of it or using it to define me. When "It" doesn't define me it's put it in a state of neutrality because I've owned it and accounted for it thoroughly through the Steps.  Through the daily reprieve of 10, 11 and 12; this allows me to expand me spiritual resonance to gain a deeper understanding behind the things that once drove me. When I can use that experience in service to relate, instead of succumbing to it, the energy of it changes from negative to positiv...

I initially did this Step alone/without guidance or direction from a sponsor. I did not read into it beyond the words of the step itself or understand the magnitude of the spiritual principle behind attempting to amend harms sowed into the fixed matrix of my, and that other person's reality. Not to mention, my intentions were entirely self seeking. I just wanted this done so that I could get on with my life.  I went about it like I would have from the perception of saying "sorry" so that I could then enjoy the temporary relief of hearing them say "it's ok". This Step, and all Steps are a practice in honesty and humility and should be honored as such. I don't get to use people or circumstances for quick fixes anyone-so doing drive-by apology sprees with no actual intention to attempt to right the wrong is unacceptable. Thankfully I was teachable by being tossed around a bit more by the dis-ease that I was able to hit another well deserved bottom "in ...