This Weeks Topic. I'm Not Different

[Charlize]

Each week at TGAA one of our members posts a topic on the list serve to both spark a conversation there and serve as a topic for discussion at the Thursday night Zoom meeting.  This is my week for topic selection.  Each morning i read several passages from different daily reflection books.  Doing that simply helps me to take a breath and work on a grateful and  peaceful attitude towards the day.  

I enjoy the passage below as it reminds me that i am just another person......trans* or not.  Too often i've found myself bound up in transition.  The joy and unfortunately the pain, suffering and feeling of "terminal uniqueness"  i've felt as a trans person keeps me from the fact that i'm like everyone else in so many ways.  

My "uniqueness"  helped to create fear and shame.  Others seemingly would never understand. I unfortunately still find many whose backs turn away but fortunately many others turn to embrace and support me.  The rooms of AA are little different than other life.  Alcoholics come in all shapes, genders, job titles and political beliefs.  We  have a wonderful tradition that says "The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking".  I should be accepted as i accept others in a perfect world.

That being said i also know how difficult it is to open up at cis gender meetings, or with a  cis gender sponsor.  Those difficulties are one of reasons i so love my TGAA meetings.  My trans* brothers and sister can share their experience strength and hope with others who understand.  The bond i feel in those meetings is so strong.  We have so much in common.  That being said i share a great deal with the cis gendered addict as well.  Hope you can join us.

 

"I'M NOT DIFFERENT

In the beginning, it was four whole years before A.A. brought permanent sobriety to even one alcoholic woman. Like the "high bottoms," the women said they were different; . . . The Skid-Rower said he was different . . . so did the artists and the professional people, the rich, the poor, the religious, the agnostic, the Indians and the Eskimos, the veterans, and the prisoners. . . . nowadays all of these, and legions more, soberly talk about how very much alike all of us alcoholics are when we admit that the chips are finally down.

— AS BILL SEES IT, p. 24

I cannot consider myself "different" in A. A.; if I do I isolate myself from others and from contact with my Higher Power. If I feel isolated in A.A., it is not something for which others are responsible. It is something I've created by feeling I'm "different" in some way. Today I practice being just another alcoholic in the worldwide Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous.

From the book Daily Reflections
Copyright © 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc."

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

[Dev]

Individuality is great in daily life, but everyone needs unity of purpose in one area or another.

[onaquest]

In the NA book it's called, "Terminal hip and fatal cool"

[tracy_j]

People are all different, but they are all people so they are the same!

 

Tracy

[Gwen]

Bill's words are always so inspiring. Thanks for choosing to share this, Charlize. My deceased father did not fall into any of these categories, but he died sober. And that's all that mattered to him.

 

Gwen