Principles before Personalities

With Gratitude April 24

“And finally, we of Alcoholics Anonymous believe that the principle of anonymity has an immense spiritual significance. It reminds us to place principles before personalities, that we are actually to practice a genuine humility.”

-“Tradition Twelve” (Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p. 192)

Alcoholism is a disease that loves to create separation. Separation between me and you, and separation between me and God. It wants me to forget that we are all connected through that Higher Power who loves us more than we ever knew. The ego creates the illusion of separation that really does not exist.

At meetings, we often hear members chant the phrase “principles before personalities” at the end of the Twelve Traditions’ reading. In Al-Anon, there is usually no chant, but the end of the Twelfth Tradition is only slightly different: placing principles above personalities. I like the Al-Anon version a little better. It always reminds me to place the principles of the program above my own personality: that I serve principles before I serve myself.

What are some of these principles? Love, kindness, humility, honesty, open-mindedness, and willingness are just a few—and a very good place to start. If I can put these principles above my own personality, my own ego, then I have a shot of a more loving and peaceful existence with God, myself, and certainly with my fellows.

Today’s Prayer

God, please help me put the principles of my program above my own personality today. Let me remember that there is no real separation. We are all connected. We are all loved by you.

A very Happy 75th Birthday to my mom today! My mom has been such a constant in my life during my drinking and worst times, as well as during nearly two decades of sobriety and Al-Anon recovery. She was the first person to read my book all the way through as she learned a lot about her daughter—and a few of the stories she didn’t actually know! May God bless you with joy and the wonder of his love during the next year, Mom. I love you! -Lil Jame