We must sacrifice the quick, nearby advantage for long-term safety

"We saw that we must sacrifice the quick, nearby advantage for long-term safety." -AA Service Manual C31

I remember the first time I called my service sponsor excited because I thought I had found a creative way around a Tradition that would have made the project I was working on so much easier and would have helped many more alcoholics! And technically, (purely based on technicalities) I think I HAD found a way around a Tradition, where no one could have accused me of coloring outside the lines.
I'll never forget what he said though. He informed me that the 12 Traditions have never made anything easier or have ever helped anyone to get something done quicker, in the history of Alcoholics anonymous. He said that's not what they're for. That the steps are here to help us today. To get through the next 24 hours. The second set of spiritual principles (The Traditions) are NOT here for that reason. They are here to protect the fellowship of tomorrow. They benefit the alcoholic not yet born. And that it takes sacrifice and unselfish action today, for the good of the AA of tomorrow.
That's why the Traditions are SO much more difficult to practice than the steps, for an alcoholic of my type. I want instant gratification. I want to see results. Honoring and living by the Traditions take self sacrifice, faith, patients, unselfish action and Trust.
Am I living in the letter of the law or in my living in the spirit of sacrifice? Am I sacrificing my personal ambitions for the common good of AA? Or am I still the exception? The the unique and special case whose situation is "different"
Growing along spiritual lines is not always easy. But how do you live in the fourth dimension without wholeheartedly absorbing our second legacy?
🚀❤️❤️

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