"Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities."
Twelfth Tradition
"Principles before personalities." Many of us chant these words along with the reader whenever the Twelve Traditions are read. The fact that these words have become a cliche of sorts doesn't make them any less important, either in service or in our lives. These words are an affirmation: "We listen to our conscience and do what's right, no matter who's involved:' And that principle serves as one of the cornerstones of recovery as well as our traditions.
What does "principles before personalities" really mean? It means we practice honesty, humility, compassion, tolerance, and patience with everyone, whether we like them or not. Putting principles before personalities teaches us to treat everyone equally. The Twelfth Step asks us to apply principles in all our affairs; the Twelfth Tradition suggests we apply them to our relations with everyone.
Practicing principles doesn't stop with our friends or when we leave a meeting. It's for every day, for everyone... in all areas of our lives.
Just for today: I will listen to my conscience and do what's right. My focus will be on principles, not on people's personalities.
When i came in to Na all i had was a guilty concience !!!
My sponsors down the years taught me the emaning of self esteem and TRUTH,,, which is now my Conscience !!!
In fact early in my using days i had a great CON-SCIENCE !!! HA HA HA<<< THE SCIENCE OF CONMANSHIP !!!!
later that went to hell and then it came back in recovery,,, now the Dteps help me deal with dishonesty each time it comes up,,, and my current sponsor is great !!!
Hes put my guilty conscience at rest by revealing many things of reality !!!
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Raman an addict clean and serene just for today in NA Worldwide ; live to love and love to live the NA Way !!!
