Daily Reflection

JANUARY 25
WHAT WE NEED—EACH OTHER
. . . A.A. is really saying to every serious drinker, "You are
an A.A. member if you say so . . . nobody can keep you
out."
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 139
For years, whenever I reflected on Tradition Three ("The
only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop
drinking"), I thought it valuable only to newcomers. It was
their guarantee that no one could bar them from A.A.
Today I feel enduring gratitude for the spiritual
development the Tradition has brought me. I don't seek out
people obviously different from myself. Tradition Three,
concentrating on the one way I am similar to others,
brought me to know and help every kind of alcoholic, just
as they have helped me. Charlotte, the atheist, showed me
higher standards of ethics and honor; Clay, of another race,
taught me patience; Winslow, who is gay, led me by
example into true compassion; Young Megan says that
seeing me at meetings, sober thirty years, keeps her coming
back. Tradition Three insured that we would get what we
need—each other.