Identity

In the previous study we wrestled with who we want to become, post dependency. Mutual aid societies like AA do not tell anyone what to value or who to become or even how to feel. Their work is to be supportive of people who want to get sober from the dependencies that entrance them.

The Big Book of AA warns us of resentment. The collective experience of the program has taught its members to be wary of resentment as it has resulted in many a relapse. AA does not pick favorites with emotions; the group observes the effects of resentment, for example, and warns those willing to listen that it is bad for recovery.

AA and other groups similar to them teach us to serve others without threatening us with expulsion if we do not. Again, the group declares the value of giving away that which we received freely from others BECAUSE these suggestions fit the core value of the group - getting and staying sober. Both admonitions against harboring resentment and suggestions for behaving this way or that, all spring from this one true thing: the mission is to help fellow sufferers get sober.

This is AA’s core value: sobriety. Everything they say, do, think, organize, and practice is aimed at helping people get sober.

The question we all must ask ourselves in order to do a proper inventory is: what are my core values and what thoughts, feelings, actions and beliefs must I practice to live out those values?