Concept Twelve
The spiritual foundation for Al‑Anon’s world services is contained in the General Warranties of the Conference, Article 12 of the Charter.
Please share your experience, strength, and hope as it relates to Concept 12. The opinions expressed here are strictly those of the person who gave them. Take what you liked and leave the rest. Member sharing on the Member Blog may be used in future Al‑Anon publications.
Concept 12 includes Waranties, specially the Fourth one, should not be punitive. I have not been judgmental first because I have not been in a position of being above anyone as it is fellowship of equals and I can’t judge because I’ve not walked in their shoes so how can I punish them. Whenever I’m in a mood to punish one, thought struck in my mind, why do you want to act as their Higher Power. Can you fulfill their wishes? Certainly not, just be a little compassionate and extend your love to your alcoholic, your family, as you do… Read more »
I was delighted, when in our new daily reader A Little Time for Myself (B-34), I read about the 5 Warranties of Concept 12 expressed in a way that I could relate to. I will take this reading as a guide to express how I apply the Warranties in my life. Warranty One talks about money, something I couldn’t manage well before coming to Al-Anon and even after, for a while. My money situation was always a disaster. Today, after applying Tradition 7 and Concept Two in my life, my financial situation, even with less income, is much better. Today… Read more »
Although Concept Twelve refers to the Al-Anon’s world service, I like to look at it and all the General Warranties as they apply into my life. I love all the Warranties, but today I will share about Warranty One and Warranty Three. Warranty One talks about sufficient operating funds, something I never had or even considered before coming to Al-Anon. I was one of those people who spent all I had or all that I could spend, without consideration to the consequences. As a result, I found myself in rather difficult and stressful situations. There were lessons to be learned… Read more »
The General Warranties hooked me into service both in the District and Area. I can clearly remember going to my first District meeting. My sponsor suggested I “get in the car” so I went. Everyone there was friendly, seemingly knew a lot more than I did and the food was great! Then we got to reading the Steps, Traditions and Concepts, including the Warranties. When I heard Warranty Two, my innate skepticism launched itself to the forefront of my conscience. No way I thought, somebody is in charge here, it’s just a matter of when they’ll jump out and start… Read more »
Concept Twelve with its General Warranties is a guide in my life when faced with some realities such as managing money, thinking that I am better than others and an authority in specific areas, decision making having to be mine, bringing controversy to the table and not being respectful of others when ignoring democracy. All of the above have been part of my life for many years. Needless to say I never won a popularity contest with such an attitude! Today, I have to pay attention to each of those Warranties if I want to live in harmony and peace… Read more »
I love it when a meeting reads the General Warranties along with the 12th Concept. The Warranties add substance to this Concept with principles that I appreciate hearing regularly, just as often as the Steps and Traditions. The Warranties as “the spirit of the Traditions” serve to give me a broader understanding of the principles of our Traditions. 1) When I read “that only sufficient operating funds, including an ample reserve, be its prudent financial principle,” I am reminded that it is an ample reserve – rather than a prudent reserve – that I strive for in my personal life as well as in… Read more »
Concept Twelve is filled with wisdom for my day-to-day living, helping me with the down-to-earth situations I could be facing. I was amazed at how Concept Twelve applies into my life, when reading the book “Reaching for Personal Freedom” (P-92). I have to go back, from time to time, to the readings on this Concept to have a more simplified and harmonious life. In regard to Warranty One, I was a failure with everything that related to money, before coming to Al-Anon. I was spending money like crazy, never able to have any saving. The prudence suggested in this Concept… Read more »
Concept 12 provides an opportunity to really synthesize Al-Anon principles and I have found it deepening my program as I study it. The General Warranties, which describe the spiritual foundation for Al-Anon’s world services directly support a healthy recovery-focused balance in my life. The spiritual principle of ample reserve reminds me to take care of my energy and be careful about where I spend it. Having ample energy is the foundation of my recovery, allowing me to be fully present, curious, able to access insight, and connect with higher power. Accepting that my higher power is the only true authority… Read more »