Narcotics Anonymous

Just For Today - Daily Email Service

   October 25                                 Principles before personalities

      "Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever
           reminding us to place principles before personalities."

                                                             Tradition Twelve

                           ----=----

   "Principles before personalities." Many of us chant these words along
   with the reader whenever the Twelve Traditions are read.  The fact that
   these words have become a cliche of sorts doesn't make them any less
   important, either in service or in our lives.   These words are an
   affirmation:  "We listen to our conscience and do what's right, no
   matter who's involved."  And that principle serves as one of the
   cornerstones of recovery as well as our traditions.

   What does "principles before personalities" really mean?  It means we
   practice honesty, humility, compassion, tolerance, and patience with
   everyone, whether we like them or not.    Putting principles before
   personalities teaches us to treat everyone equally.  The Twelfth Step asks
   us to apply principles in all our affairs; the Twelfth Tradition suggests
   we apply them to our relations with everyone.

   Practicing principles doesn't stop with our friends or when we leave a
   meeting.  It's for every day, for everyone… in all areas of our lives.

                           ----=----

   Just for today:  I will listen to my conscience and do what's right.  My
   focus will be on principles, not on people's personalities.