Tradition 12 – Anonymity – Episode 98

DSC_5353Do you wonder how much to reveal about your situation? Are you afraid someone will “out” you? Do you have “idols” in the program? We’ll address these questions and more as we talk about Tradition 12, Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles above personalities.

Ruth and Spencer had these questions around which we structured our conversation.

Ruth started by asking, “Spencer you said this is your favorite tradition. Would like to tell us why?”

  • How do you understand the principle of anonymity?
    • How do you practice this principle?
    • Inside the “rooms” of Al-Anon?
    • In the wider world?
  • How can I protect anonymity when I meet someone outside the meeting?
  • How can I protect anonymity when I meet someone in the meeting who I already know outside the meeting?
  • How do we practice anonymity in the podcast?
  • How does anonymity change the way I feel about myself?
  • How can I practice anonymity without being “invisible”?
  • How can I share my experience, strength, and hope without telling others what to do?
  • Do I put people on a pedestal? Why? What happens?
  • How does focusing on personalities hinder my growth?
  • How is it different when instead, I listen to everybody, even the people I don't “like”?

Upcoming topics include growth in the program, discovering ourselves, and healthy support vs caretaking. As we approach the end of the year, and the start of the new year, what “resolutions” are we thinking about for 2015? Join the conversation. Please call us at 734-707-8795 or email feedback@therecoveryshow.com with your questions or experience, strength and hope. Or just leave a comment right here.

Music from the show

Joan Osborne – One of Us (Glee version)

Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder – Ebony and Ivory

Carrie Newcomer – Betty's Diner

 Stuff we talked about

Spencer talked about insights from an interview with Carrie Newcomer in the podcast, On Being. He referenced an earlier episode of The Recovery Show about hope (episode 65).

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