Dear Reader
Having committed to working through the Steps in depth and with a deepening understanding of how much difference the AA spiritual Programme of recovery was making to my life – a purposeful life now, not merely the existence it had been – it was wonderful to reach Step Ten. With this Step I could see that, having cleared away so much of the heavy burden of my past, I now had a tool which would enable me to make daily progress, and continue to deal with the emotional challenges that are all part of living. We are all human, and I no longer need to indulge myself in the blame game. Honesty to me means if I am uncomfortable, the first place to look is inside myself – not to blame but to assess, reflect and see which of my behaviours are the cause. When I take the time to connect with my Higher Power, through prayer and meditation, and also to reach out to my sponsor or a trusted Fellow, then I can usually find clarity on how to adjust my behaviours for the situation. Some days can be more challenging than others but progress - sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly – is guaranteed if I make that daily inventory where I can also acknowledge positive aspects of the day. Maintaining my spiritual condition through honest self-appraisal, with tolerance and compassion for myself, is a vital part of continuing to improve my relationships with others on a daily basis.
Like all human beings, I have opinions. Tradition Ten clarifies that while the Fellowship of AA has no opinion on outside issues, I have a right to my opinion, as does everyone else. What I don’t have the right to do is state my opinions as if they are ‘backed’ by AA. Within an AA meeting, expressing my personal experience, strength and hope is my way of sharing how the AA Programme supports my recovery. Hearing (or reading) about Fellows’ ESH is a vital part of my recovery – it’s when I learn and absorb how others have applied the tools of recovery to also maintain their emotional sobriety and continue to make daily progress.