Archive for April 29, 2014

Endigar 396 ~ Two “Magnificent Standards”

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , on April 29, 2014 by endigar

From Yesterday’s Daily Reflections;

All A.A. progress can be reckoned in terms of just two words: humility and responsibility. Our whole spiritual development can be accurately measured by our degree of adherence to these magnificent standards.  (As Bill Sees It, page 271)

To acknowledge and respect the views, accomplishments and prerogatives of others and to accept being wrong shows me the way of humility. To practice the principles of A.A. in all my affairs guides me to be responsible. Honoring these precepts gives credence to Tradition Four-and to all other Traditions of the Fellowship. Alcoholics Anonymous has evolved a philosophy of life full of valid motivations, rich in highly relevant principles and ethical values, a view of life which can be extended beyond the confines of the alcoholic population. To honor these precepts I need only to pray, and care for my fellow man as if each one were my brother.

END OF QUOTE

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The two magnificent standards are humility and responsibility and are the measurable fruit of my spiritual development.

A.A. has evolved a philosophy of life.  What is it I wonder?

This philosophy has valid motivations.  What are they?

It has highly relevant principles and ethical values.  What specifically do we mean when we say practice these principles in all our affairs?  What are they?

A.A. has a view or vision of life that extends beyond the alcoholic population.    What is it?

It seems that the answer to these questions cannot be the result of an academic quest.  They are discovered through prayer and care for my fellow man.

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Endigar 397 ~ Group Autonomy

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , on April 29, 2014 by endigar

From Today’s Daily Reflections;

Some may think that we have carried the principle of group autonomy to extremes. For example, in its original “long form,” Tradition Four declares: “Any two or three gathered together for sobriety may call themselves an A.A. group, provided that as a group they have no other affiliation.”* . . . But this ultra- liberty is not so risky as it looks.  (AA Comes of Age, page 104 – 05)

As an active alcoholic, I abused every liberty that life afforded. How could A.A. expect me to respect the “ultra-liberty” bestowed by Tradition Four? Learning respect has become a lifetime job.

A.A. has made me fully accept the necessity of discipline and that, if I do not assert it from within, then I will pay for it. This applies to groups too. Tradition Four points me in a spiritual direction, in spite of my alcoholic inclinations.

END OF QUOTE

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I have been on storm vigil today, here in Alabama.  It seems nothing changes in the South without violence, not even the weather.

Abusing liberty is an alcoholic tendency?  I suppose so.  Freedom is a group thing that implies a personal necessity for individual discipline.  As an alcoholic, I saw freedom as an individual thing that implied group belligerence and social warfare.  Are the spiritual traits that I need to develop to support this group autonomy  humility and trust?  I think so.

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