from A State of Grace
THE ELEVENTH TRADITION
Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, TV, film, and other public media. We need guard with special care the anonymity of all fellow SLAA members. — SLAA Core Documents, “The Twelve Traditions”
Our Fellowship seems to be following the path of AA with the public media. In the last few years there have been quite a few movies made about sex and love addiction.
There are bloggers and reporters who believe in SLAA and its message. They guard the anonymity of individual SLAA members. Individuals who carry the message remain anonymous to the general public. Personal ambition has no place in the Fellowship. Our policy on growing the Fellowship is attraction rather than promotion.
Hopefully the world will eventually see the good that SLAA does. Families see their loved ones changing for the better. Communities see people become productive members of society. We need to be content with slow growth. I wanted to shout from the rooftops the good that the SLAA program did in my life. But I reserve that for newcomers in meetings and during sponsorship, not on a public level. Over the years, I have seen the wisdom of this Tradition and try to practice it daily.
Today, I will practice attraction rather than promotion and guard anonymity.
From Answers in the Heart
A poet begins in delight and ends in wisdom. — Robert Frost
Artists deepen our sense of wonder because they have retained the ability to see life with a delighted eye. They know that nothing is too particular or minute to take pleasure in if we give ourselves time to pause and look. The world is infinite in its variety and beauty.
If we are addicted to sexual fantasy and acting out, we narrow our vision and see life with blinders. We are unable to relax and open ourselves to the new when we’re so uptight and bent on our own pleasure. We are left impoverished.
We can learn, step by step, day by day, to slow down and really look at the world around us. We may find ourselves noticing the obvious things that we used to miss. This can lead to sheer delight when we notice that things can be so different, so particular in their shape, color, meaning, and impact. Delight can turn into knowledge as we explore further; then, if we persevere, we may stumble onto wisdom.
I intend to take time to pause and enjoy the world in all its particular richness and diversity.
Daily Meditation Books
Answers in the Heart - daily meditations for people recovering from sex addiction
Touchstones - daily meditations for recovering men A State of Grace - daily meditations by SLAA members
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