TRADITION TEN
Oct 30, from “Strengthening My Recovery” daily reader
“As a fellowship, we have no opinion on outside issues. We exist for one purpose: To carry the message to those still suffering from the effects of growing up in a dysfunctional family.” BRB p.539
“The issues relating to the disease concept of alcoholic/dysfunctional family systems are endless. We could sit in meetings and talk about them continuously without ever focusing on ourselves. Many of us might even be moved to involve ourselves in an outside cause as a way of “trying to save the world.” But this would be a re-creation of the dysfunction learned in childhood where we dealt with the needs of others instead of ourselves.
When ACA stays away from public controversy, our doors are open to all who desire to recover from the dysfunctional effects of their childhoods. Were we to take a position on any controversy, we might initially attract some people interested in that cause, but we could dilute our message and potentially make it unsafe for ACAs in general.
If we, as individuals, decide after careful thought, that we want to be involved with an issue outside of the bounds of ACA, we are mindful that we don’t represent ACA. In this way, the meetings keep a singleness of purpose, remain free from emotional intoxication, and provide the adult child the greatest chance to recover.
On this day I will help my meeting keep its focus on ACA recovery. If outside issues arise, I will respectfully remind others of Tradition Ten, affirming for myself that ACA is my opportunity to champion myself as the most important cause in my life.”
My experience:
It is wonderful to know that when I go to a meeting it is focused on the healing of those in the room. We are not trying to save the world, just each of us one person at a time. We all have equal say, if an issue does creep into the conversation, to speak up and remind folks what the purpose of the group is. How refreshing to be involved with a group that keeps on the task at hand.
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