How many times have you found yourself in a place where your thoughts are so tangled up that you can’t identify what is right and wrong. Where do the things that used to make sense, don’t anymore?
It’s been said before, but it bears repeating: You need to take care of yourself first.
This includes making sure that your needs are being met for food, water, sleep, and love—and most importantly sobriety. These daily reflections may not be perfect or even great at all times but they will always be real.
Daily Reflections May 29
The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 139
I first heard the short form of The Third Tradition in A.A.’s Preamble when it said, “If there are any physical requirements for membership or mental state required then I would be dead today.”
Bill W agreed with this sentiment and says that individual freedom is a key tenet to practicing our own Traditions which he feels was accepted by members who tolerated me as an alcoholic despite not knowing what my future may hold because they were practicing love–the will for us from God.
The Third Tradition is a charter for individual freedom. It teaches us tolerance and acceptance of each other, which I believe are the tenets of love.
If you want to be surrounded by people who accept you as you are without judgment or criticism, come join A.A., where we practice the Third Tradition every day!
Have you had experiences that have helped change your attitude about yourself? Let me know below in the comments section what’s changed for you thanks to this tradition!
