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Autonomous not independent

HOW often have I heard the first part of Tradition Four quoted?

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HOW often have I heard the first part of Tradition Four quoted?  For some AAs there seems to be a (invisible) full stop after the word, ‘autonomous’ - I’ve yet to see it.  The rest of that sentence speaks volumes to me on the nature of AA unity.
  
To my mind Tradition One is the foundation upon which all the other Traditions are built.  I’ve found it useful, when thinking about our Traditions, to refer to the Traditions Check List.  It keeps my mind pointing in the right direction.  So ‘common welfare’ is equally important here.  In this Tradition, I’m reminded that it is in my best interest to do what I can to preserve the unity of my group - within the greater context of AA. 

I used to have to learn my lessons first-hand, the hard way.  I was not teachable.  That has changed and now I am ready, willing and able to be taught.

It can be the same with a group.  The primary privilege of any group is that it can adopt the attitude it likes.  It even has the right to be wrong!  Yet, after all this time, AA has acquired a lot of knowledge about what works best in and for a group - and within the larger Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous.  Much of that knowledge and experience is written down in the form of regularly updated Guidelines and freely available to all.  There is no need to ‘reinvent the wheel’ each time an issue of concern arises in a group.  All we have to do is refer to the lessons we have already learned and are laid out in these Guidelines.  Then the group, nearby ones and AA ‘as a whole’ is safe.  As we AAs learn more, our Guidelines reflect our growth.

Old timers told me that each one of us has a responsibility; we are each trusted to protect and preserve the character of AA.  That has become my experience.    Tradition Four helps to provide the guidance we need.  For the sake of every AA member, whether they are a newcomer or not, our message (“…this message…” (BB p.89) ought to be consistent.  As an AA member. I can do very little that does NOT reflect on my group or on AA as a whole - whether I like it or not.  It is an awesome responsibility. 

HELEN S