Tradition 1

The Steps come first for me because above all else, my relationship with my Higher Power must be in place.  This will ensure the necessary power and stamina are available to get the job done.  Then I can look at the Traditions to see what I can do to apply them.

The Traditions are so important.  I've heard the 12 Steps help stop us from killing ourselves and the Traditions help stop us from killing each other.  I've learned it's important for me to not only apply the Traditions in AA but also to apply them to all my relationships.  How do I do this?

The first Tradition in AA is:

Long:  Each member of Alcoholics Anonymous is but a small part of a great whole. A.A. must continue to live or most of us will surely die. Hence our common welfare comes first. But individual welfare follows close afterward.

Short:  Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity.

Here I apply Tradition 1 at work:

The common welfare of the team at work comes first, my job depends upon being a member of the team who takes care of the work. 

How I do this is...I realize it is in my best interest to take good care of my job, help my co-workers, do my part, share the load, do the next right thing.  

Tradition 1 at home with my significant other:

Our common welfare as a twosome should come first---as we pay our bills, prepare our meals, upkeep our space, etc., my personal home-life depends upon our unity.  (or the relationship between us as a couple will surely die)

How I do this is...I realize it is in my best interest to take good care of my home-life, help with housekeeping, share the expenses, do the next right thing.

As I write this, I realize how I can apply this Tradition to my relationship with my body:

My common welfare as a functioning human being should come first, my personal health depends on unity.

How I can do this is...I realize it is in my best interest to take good care of my body, monitor what I eat, exercising, etc.

Dear Higher Power, YOU are the greatest.  Thank YOU for being YOU.  Love, Carol