Sharing From My Heart

Learning about Tradition One has taught me that my thoughts and feelings are just as important as anyone else’s. At first I thought that whenever I opened my mouth, I had to sound articulate and insightful. Everyone else’s sharing seemed to be so clear and direct. However, I was in so much pain that I could not think clearly and feared that my words would not make sense. Then, at a meeting, someone stated that she was not sure what she would say, but she just needed to share. Once she began, she was eventually able to tell her story. This gave me courage. I began to feel less guarded and self-conscious, so I have been able to share more openly from my heart. I feel more connected to the other members of my group when I let them know who I really am. In the process, I am learning to appreciate more deeply what the word unity means.

Reprinted from S-Anon Twelve Traditions, page 7.