For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me,
naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.…
Truly, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.
Matthew 25:35-40
The discussion of Tradition 2 in How Al-Anon Works says “Newcomers are as likely as longtime members to utter words that inspire and inform.” Tradition 12 reminds us to “place principles above personalities.” In Al-Anon, we are equals. We come together to recover from the effects of another's addiction on our lives, our psyches, and our souls. When I place some people on a pedestal, worshiping their every word, and overlook others because I think they have nothing to give me, I only cheat myself. When I let go of my preconceptions, my pre-judging, my prejudices, and my reactions to others' outsides, I free myself to see the beauty and wisdom inherent in each person. In so doing, I give myself a great gift.
My higher power can work through anyone, at any time. When I close myself off from other people, I close myself off from the help that my higher power wants to give me. I know this to be true, because I have lived on both sides of that wall – in silence and isolation, or in community and support. Which do you choose?
A meditation for February 14, 2013.