Today's ODAT reading reminds us about the importance of Anonymity, which is in two of the Traditons" of Al Anon:
11.Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, films, and TV. We need guard with special care the anonymity of all AA members.
12.Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles above personalities.
A talebearer revealeth secrets, but that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter (Proverbs)
I consider these Traditions to be a sacred promise to Al Anon, MIP and it's membership.
Anonymity should be protected when it concerns any Al Anon member seeking public recognition, when it involves their work with Al Anon, whether its on TV, the internet, film or in print. There is so much guidance concerning how to safely publish newsletters, etc. and how to correctly protect peoples identities when it comes to distributing information, that going to the national Al Anon website for guidance, I would say, is a necessity, if need be!
Principles Above Personalities allows for anyone who attends F2F meetings or seeks help on the MIP forum, to have a safe place to recover, heal and learn. Anonymity is very important, you never know what an individuals circumstances are and how, revealing their connection to an Al Anon program could affect their lives.
Blessings to everyone this day!
Lyne said
Jan 18, 2020
Thank you Debbie for you service. I appreciate the idea of anonymity, but I think I also accept that people cannot be perfect. I can hope that all members try the best they can to preserve privacy for all its members. And if I have something to share that feels extremely personal, I would choose my sponsor or close alanon friend to share that with. The experiences I had in my FOO were way less than desirable, and I am cautious about with whom I share those events with. That is how I handle things to heal and grow.
Principles above personalities is another great lesson to practice. Again, progress not perfection comes to mind, as this is not always easy for me to do. But it helps me to strive for a level of acceptance for all people no matter what differences I may have for them. It has allowed me to have a relationship with a very difficult brother. Lyne
Freetime said
Jan 18, 2020
Thank you, Debb, for choosing this reading. I too am grateful for the traditions of anonymity in our program. It helps me feel safe, and reminds me that I am the one in charge of how much personal information I share.
When I first came into program I thought that anonymity was all about secrecy. No one knew my last name, where i lived, my job, etc. -- and that was cool. And I appreciated that this also protected our alcoholic loved ones from suffering due to the stigma around the disease.
In one of my F2F groups recently, we discussed anonymity. An interesting part of the discussion was how anonymity relates to humility. Anonymity helps to prevent an individual from gaining dominance over others because of their profession, money, status, etc. It helps keep the focus on the group, because that is where the strength is. At one time I was doing service in a small meeting that was struggling, and sometimes people I'd see at other meetings would say, "How is your meeting doing?" or "I haven't been to your meeting lately." I wanted to shout, "It's not MY meeting!!!" But I didn't ... because "How Important Is It?"
I think anonymity helps me feel connected with others in the program. It enables us to get right down to what really matters to us, without the distraction of external details, and I believe that people in the program know me better than anyone else does, even though they don't know my last name, address, education, or work history -- and that is a connection more real than I have in almost any other place.
Iamhere said
Jan 18, 2020
Good morning MIP! Thank you Debb for your service and the daily. Thanks for the shares and ESH. Anonymity is absolutely necessary in recovery, as one of the fear factors before coming is, 'will others know me and share?' Practicing anonymity allows all members to hear, feel, trust and believe that what's said, heard, shared in meetings doesn't leave the room.
What's often not discusses is the practice of preserving the same anonymity for whomever is the concerning drinker/drugger in our lives. When I first came to Al-Anon, and was wrapped in obsessive unhealthy thinking, I had great difficulty in sharing my story without mention of my qualifier(s). This became very important to me when both of my sons became active in recovery. They shared how it made them feel when I told parts of their story as part of my story. I worked with others who came before me to recognize and own my part in all this, and today, I can share where I am when the disease is active and not risk the anonymity of my 'people'.
I recently got a referral from another in recovery for tree removal. While working on this huge tree in my backyard, the worker, trying to be friendly more than nosey, asked me how I knew the friend who referred...I stumbled briefly before I suggested my friend went to HS with my cousins (which is true). I am very cautious about my words and actions when I encounter others in recovery as I appreciate and respect this concept.
I truly am grateful for the divine insight provided to those who came before me! I have always been intrigued that recovery has survived for a long, long while without the influence of seniority, politics, elections, dues, etc. It truly is a for the people, by the people organization and all of our traditions make us who we are and keep us going.
Happy, happy Saturday all....I missed my meeting this morning as the temperatures dropped big time this morning, turning all the moisture into black ice! My sweet rescue dog, age unknown but certainly geriatric, is also really, really slowing down. She refused to eat this morning, and while not appearing to be in pain, just gives off the vibes that she's ready to pass along. We are all giving her extra pets, love, hugs, snuggles and saying our good-byes. She's certainly confused - she gets tons of love anyways so the added and our sadness in anticipation is not helping her!
Love and light MIP family; love and light!
JerryF said
Jan 18, 2020
The fellowship is deeply important to me and my recovery. Most of my recovery has come from and thru the efforts of others and their experiences and as my sponsor and the fellowship taught me, "don't have the experience and authority to tell others how the others life went when in finding recovery in Al-Anon". Anonymity is the utmost display of love and respect in my program. Even here on/in MIP do I respect it. ((((hugs)))))
Today's ODAT reading reminds us about the importance of Anonymity, which is in two of the Traditons" of Al Anon:
11. Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, films, and TV. We need guard with special care the anonymity of all AA members.
12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles above personalities.
A talebearer revealeth secrets, but that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter (Proverbs)
I consider these Traditions to be a sacred promise to Al Anon, MIP and it's membership.
Anonymity should be protected when it concerns any Al Anon member seeking public recognition, when it involves their work with Al Anon, whether its on TV, the internet, film or in print. There is so much guidance concerning how to safely publish newsletters, etc. and how to correctly protect peoples identities when it comes to distributing information, that going to the national Al Anon website for guidance, I would say, is a necessity, if need be!
Principles Above Personalities allows for anyone who attends F2F meetings or seeks help on the MIP forum, to have a safe place to recover, heal and learn. Anonymity is very important, you never know what an individuals circumstances are and how, revealing their connection to an Al Anon program could affect their lives.
Blessings to everyone this day!
Principles above personalities is another great lesson to practice. Again, progress not perfection comes to mind, as this is not always easy for me to do. But it helps me to strive for a level of acceptance for all people no matter what differences I may have for them. It has allowed me to have a relationship with a very difficult brother. Lyne
When I first came into program I thought that anonymity was all about secrecy. No one knew my last name, where i lived, my job, etc. -- and that was cool. And I appreciated that this also protected our alcoholic loved ones from suffering due to the stigma around the disease.
In one of my F2F groups recently, we discussed anonymity. An interesting part of the discussion was how anonymity relates to humility. Anonymity helps to prevent an individual from gaining dominance over others because of their profession, money, status, etc. It helps keep the focus on the group, because that is where the strength is. At one time I was doing service in a small meeting that was struggling, and sometimes people I'd see at other meetings would say, "How is your meeting doing?" or "I haven't been to your meeting lately." I wanted to shout, "It's not MY meeting!!!" But I didn't ... because "How Important Is It?"
I think anonymity helps me feel connected with others in the program. It enables us to get right down to what really matters to us, without the distraction of external details, and I believe that people in the program know me better than anyone else does, even though they don't know my last name, address, education, or work history -- and that is a connection more real than I have in almost any other place.
What's often not discusses is the practice of preserving the same anonymity for whomever is the concerning drinker/drugger in our lives. When I first came to Al-Anon, and was wrapped in obsessive unhealthy thinking, I had great difficulty in sharing my story without mention of my qualifier(s). This became very important to me when both of my sons became active in recovery. They shared how it made them feel when I told parts of their story as part of my story. I worked with others who came before me to recognize and own my part in all this, and today, I can share where I am when the disease is active and not risk the anonymity of my 'people'.
I recently got a referral from another in recovery for tree removal. While working on this huge tree in my backyard, the worker, trying to be friendly more than nosey, asked me how I knew the friend who referred...I stumbled briefly before I suggested my friend went to HS with my cousins (which is true). I am very cautious about my words and actions when I encounter others in recovery as I appreciate and respect this concept.
I truly am grateful for the divine insight provided to those who came before me! I have always been intrigued that recovery has survived for a long, long while without the influence of seniority, politics, elections, dues, etc. It truly is a for the people, by the people organization and all of our traditions make us who we are and keep us going.
Happy, happy Saturday all....I missed my meeting this morning as the temperatures dropped big time this morning, turning all the moisture into black ice! My sweet rescue dog, age unknown but certainly geriatric, is also really, really slowing down. She refused to eat this morning, and while not appearing to be in pain, just gives off the vibes that she's ready to pass along. We are all giving her extra pets, love, hugs, snuggles and saying our good-byes. She's certainly confused - she gets tons of love anyways so the added and our sadness in anticipation is not helping her!
Love and light MIP family; love and light!
The fellowship is deeply important to me and my recovery. Most of my recovery has come from and thru the efforts of others and their experiences and as my sponsor and the fellowship taught me, "don't have the experience and authority to tell others how the others life went when in finding recovery in Al-Anon". Anonymity is the utmost display of love and respect in my program. Even here on/in MIP do I respect it. ((((hugs)))))