Daily Reflections - May 28 2026

EQUAL RIGHTS

At one time or another most A.A. groups go on rule making
benders. . . . After a time fear and intolerance subside.
[and we realize] We do not wish to deny anyone his chance
to recover from alcoholism. We wish to be just as inclusive
as we can, never exclusive.

“A.A. TRADITION: HOW IT DEVELOPED.” pp. 10, 11, 12

A.A. offered me complete freedom and accepted me into the
Fellowship for myself. Membership did not depend upon
conformity, financial success or education and I am so
grateful for that. I often ask myself if I extend the same
equality to others or if I deny them the freedom to be
different. Today I try to replace my fear and intolerance
with faith, patience, love and acceptance. I can bring these
strengths to my A.A. group, my home and my office. I make
an effort to bring my positive attitude everywhere that I
go.
I have neither the right, nor the responsibility, to judge
others. Depending on my attitude I can view newcomers to
A.A., family members and friends as menaces or as teachers.
When I think of some of my past judgments, it is clear how
my self-righteousness caused me spiritual harm.

DAILY REFLECTIONS #essentialsofrecovery

EQUALITY

Our membership ought to include all who suffer from alcoholism. Hence we may refuse none who wish to recover. Nor ought A.A. membership ever depend upon money or conformity. Any two or three alcoholics gathered together for sobriety may call themselves an A.A. group, provided that, as a group, they have no other affiliation.

~ ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 565 ~

Prior to A.A., I often felt that I didn’t fit in with the people around me. Usually they had more/ less money than I did, and my points of view didn’t jibe with theirs. The amount of prejudice I had experienced in society only proved to me just how phony some self-righteous people were. After joining A. A., I found the way of life I had been searching for. In A.A. no member is better than any other member; we’re just alcoholics trying to recover from alcoholism.

Copyright © 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services Inc 

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Elder’s Meditation of the Day #essentialsofrec #SENECA #Native

“Everything really is equal. The Creator doesn’t look at me any better than He looks at the trees. We’re all the same.”

–Janice Sundown Hattet, SENECA

Sometimes humans think we are the center of the Universe. Sometimes we think we are above or better than other people or things. The Great Spirit made a set of Laws and Principles by which all things should live. Everybody and everything lives by the same Laws. We are all made of atoms just like the trees. The life force in the middle of the atom is the life force of the Great Mystery. It is the same for everything. We are all equal in the eyes of the Creator.

Great Spirit, today, I will respect your handiwork.

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DAILY REFLECTIONS #essentialsofrec #equality

EQUALITY
Our membership ought to include all who suffer from alcoholism. Hence we may refuse none who wish to recover. Nor ought A.A. membership ever depend upon money or conformity. Any two or three alcoholics gathered together for sobriety may call themselves an A.A. group, provided that, as a group, they have no other affiliation.

~ ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 565 ~
Prior to A.A., I often felt that I didn’t “fit in” with the people around me. Usually “they” had more/ less money than I did, and my points of view didn’t jibe with “theirs.” The amount of prejudice I had experienced in society only proved to me just how phony some self-righteous people were. After joining A. A., I found the way of life I had been searching for. In A.A. no member is better than any other member; we’re just alcoholics trying to recover from alcoholism.

Copyright © 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services Inc

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Or Follow Us On Twitter #essentialsofrec

Daily Reflections #essentialsofrecovery

EQUALITY


Our membership ought to include all who suffer from alcoholism. Hence we may refuse none who wish to recover. Nor ought A.A. membership ever depend upon money or conformity. Any two or three alcoholics gathered together for sobriety may call themselves an A.A. group, provided that, as a group, they have no other affiliation.

–ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 565

Prior to A.A., I often felt that I didn’t “fit in” with the people around me. Usually “they” had more/less money than I did, and my points of view didn’t jibe with “theirs.” The amount of prejudice I had experienced in society only proved to me just how phony some self-righteous people were. After joining A.A., I found the way of life I had been searching for. In A.A. no member is any better than any other member; we’re just alcoholics trying to recover from alcoholism.

Why not sign up to get emails with all daily posts included?
Or Follow Us On Twitter #essentialsofrecovery

Father Leo’s Daily Meditation #essentialsofrecovery

EQUALITY


“Treat all men alike. Give them all the same laws. Give them all an even chance to live and grow.”

~ Chief Joseph

Today it is important for me to remember that I am not the only human being in this universe; I need to respect and be considerate of others. Spirituality requires that I treat all people with dignity and respect because they carry something of God within them — the image of God is with all men. In this way I show and give respect to self.

As an alcoholic I was selfish and demanding, wanting my way all the time. Sobriety teaches me that “the way” must include others; my fellow men are part of my life and journey. I cannot live in isolation and be sober.

O Spirit of the World, teach me to respect all men as a service to myself.

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FR. LEO'S DAILY MEDITATION #essentialsofrecovery

EQUALITY

“Treat all persons alike. Give them all the same laws. Give them all an even chance to live and grow.”

~ Chief Joseph ~

Today it is important for me to remember that I am not the only human being in the universe. I need to respect and be considerate of others. Spirituality requires that I treat all people with dignity and respect because they carry something of God within them. The image of God is with all people. In this way, I show and give respect to self.

As an alcoholic, I was selfish and demanding, wanting my way all the time. Sobriety teaches me that “the way” must include others; my fellow and sister humans are part of my life and my journey. I cannot live in isolation and be sober.

Spirit of the world, teach me to respect others because, in this way, I respect myself. 

© 2008 Leo Booth 

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ELDER'S MEDITATION OF THE DAY #essentialsofrecovery

“People are equal partners with the plants and animals, not their masters who exploit them.”

~ Haida Gwaii, Traditional Circle of Elders 

As human beings, we are not above anything nor are we below anything. Because of being equal, we need to discuss a little about the value of respect. Not just respect when it comes to human beings, but respect when it comes to everything. We are not masters over things; we are caretakers for the Great Spirit. We need to treat all things with respect.

Great Spirit, let me accept and see all things as equal.

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Fr.LEO'S DAILY MEDITATION #essnetialsofrec #Spirituality #Equality

EQUALITY

“Treat all persons alike. Give them all the same laws. Give them all an even chance to live and grow.”
~ Chief Joseph 

Today it is important for me to remember that I am not the only human being in the universe. I need to respect and be considerate of others. Spirituality requires that I treat all people with dignity and respect because they carry something of God within them. The image of God is with all people. In this way, I show and give respect to self.

As an alcoholic, I was selfish and demanding, wanting my way all the time. Sobriety teaches me that “the way” must include others; my fellow and sister humans are part of my life and my journey. I cannot live in isolation and be sober.

Spirit of the world, teach me to respect others because, in this way, I respect myself. 

© 2008 Leo Booth

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Walk in Dry Places #essentialsofrec #Equality #Growth

 1
May 

Accepting Equal Treatment
Growing Spiritually

One of our AA friends was a district judge in a northern community. On his way to speak at our meeting, he was given a speeding ticket by a state policeman.

“Didn’t you tell him you are a judge?” we wanted to know. Smiling sheepishly, he shook his head. It occurred to us, then, that acceptance of the speeding ticket without argument was also an exercise in principles for him. First, he was accepting the same laws he administered to others. Additionally, accepting the ticket was a working of the Tenth Step—“. . . and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.” Finally, he realized that the ticket may have been a disguised blessing to help him correct a tendency to speed.

As recovering alcoholic, we always function better when we accept such principles in our own lives. Every person is special, yet as part of the human race in general, we must accept the same treatment that is given to others. We can grow spiritually when we accept such equality without resentment or demands for special treatment.

As a human being, I know that today I’m subject to all the things that can happen to human beings. I will not demand or expect privileges that are not available on an equal basis to others.

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Father Leo’s Daily Meditation #essentialsofrecovery.com #Recovery #Equality

19
January
EQUALITY


“Treat all men alike. Give them all the same laws. Give them all an even chance to live and grow.”— Chief Joseph

Today it is important for me to remember that I am not the only human being in this universe; I need to respect and be considerate of others. Spirituality requires that I treat all people with dignity and respect because they carry something of God within them — the image of God is with all men. In this way I show and give respect to self.

As an alcoholic I was selfish and demanding, wanting my way all the time. Sobriety teaches me that “the way” must include others; my fellow men are part of my life and journey. I cannot live in isolation and be sober.

O Spirit of the World, teach me to respect all men as a service to myself.

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