"The whole spiritual journey might be summed up as humble hope." Thomas Keating

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

AA is not a personal success story

AA is not a personal success story.  It is instead the story of our colossal human failures now converted into the happiest kind of usefulness.  It is not a conquest. It is ending the war, surrendering unconditionally.  It is a gift freely given.
Fr. Tom Weston
 

Thursday, May 17, 2012

The way we listen

The way we listen to others who are annoying, perhaps sharing inappropriately, the way we listen to them, open ourselves up to them, purifies the the spirit like nothing else.

(Paraphrased from Fr. Tom Weston)

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

The Highest Rank

I was reminded over the weekend that the highest rank anyone can achieve in AA is 'sober'. 

You become a member of AA when you say you are a member and as a member you get one equal share in the fellowship.  No one can tell you that they have x years more than you so their opinion is more valid.  We all learn great things from newcomers and we've all heard old timers who might be less wise than we would hope.

It is a radical democracy.  Let's exercise it.