"Outside matters"

[Charlize]

As an alcoholic in recovery i know the traditions of the program of AA.  “We have no opinion on outside matters”…….but i do and at times that hurts me and may affect my sobriety.  Today i woke up and turned on the radio.  I was attacked by a whole range of emotions any one of which might have lead me to drink.  Over the course of the day i even felt that desire to hurt myself to get back at others.  I had comfortably forgotten that feeling and when i recognized it again i did my best to let go of the whole issue.  I turned off the news and put on some music as i drove around doing chores.  Even so i felt anger.  At times it is hard to let go and this is one of  them. I’m fortunate to have a program and have been given some tools to use.  I must accept,  I have to let go, drop the rock and let  a power greater than myself take control.  
Having an opinion on outside matters is better left to others.  I’ve got to let go now that i’ve done what i can.  Of course that does not mean i will simply stand by and allow injustice pass without a reaction.  i will continue to reach out to others but have to accept that our country as well as my sobriety  will not be helped by acting out in some fashion.  More importantly the world will not be improved  by hurting myself or hating others.

Hugs,

Charlize an alcoholic

[Guest erinanita]

Charlize,

 

It really is a scary situation, not just in America, but around the world.  We each have our own journeys and our own reactions to the world around us.  In getting sober we learned to rely on a higher power to help us control our emotions and to react accordingly.  We will all find our ways to settle into the situation.

The tradition does say "Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy."  It refers to A.A. as a whole, not each and every one of us.

Hugs,

Erin