For me, certain principles are better transmitted by particular people. My personality characteristics and traits are unique and individual, they match with particular styles. If I'm depressed, I better hear the message from someone whose mood is congruent with my depressed state. It's similar to music; that song would not work for me right now, but this song would be perfect.
What can this addict do about it? I can appreciate the individuality of all addicts; the special charism of the New York region, the power of the LA region, the friendliness of the Texas region, the new dimension of NA in European regions. But regardless of the special character and magnetism, I can see and hear the similarities.
The message is the message. If it's cussed out in NYC or agreeably put forth in San Francisco, it's the same message: '"We do recover."
-- Edited by johnjames228 on Friday 25th of October 2013 11:28:36 AM
-- Edited by johnjames228 on Sunday 27th of October 2013 07:28:35 AM
Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.
Tradition Twelve
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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 doesnt make them any less important, either in service or in our lives. These words are an affirmation: We listen to our conscience and do whats right, no matter whos 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 doesnt stop with our friends or when we leave a meeting. Its for every day, for everyone in all areas of our lives.
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Just for today: I will listen to my conscience and do whats right. My focus will be on principles, not on peoples personalities.
I had to learn to practice putting the principles before my personality.Learning to practice these principles of honesty , humility ,and compassion , tolerance ,and compassion is a full time thing ,every day , each day .We all have different personalities , that's a human trait . But we all can recover .
