You shall look and listen to the welfare of the whole
people. Dekanawidah Iroquois So
at the outset, how best to live and work together as groups became the
prime question. In the world about us we saw personalities destroying
whole peoples. The struggle for wealth, power, and prestige was tearing
humanity apart as never before. If strong people were stalemated in the
search for peace and harmony, what was to become of our erratic band of
alcoholics? As we had once struggled and prayed for individual recovery,
just so earnestly did we commence to quest for the principals through
which A.A. itself might survive. Twelve Steps & Twelve Traditions pgs. 130 &
131 This Tradition is a constant and practical reminder that personal
ambition has no place in A.A. In it, each member becomes an active
guardian of our Fellowship. Twelve Steps & Twelve Traditions pg.
183 Moved by the spirit of anonymity, we try to give up our natural
desires for personal distinction as A.A. members both among fellow
alcoholics and before the general public. As we lay aside these very human
aspirations, we believe that each of us takes part in the weaving of
a protective mantle which covers our whole Society and under which we may
grow and work in unity. Twelve Steps & Twelve Traditions pg.
187 Grandfather remind us we are but a part of the
tribe. |