Right of Decision – Episode 110
Do you have trouble letting others make decisions? Do you second guess your own decisions? Spencer and Akilah discuss the "right of decision", as expressed in Al-Anon's 3rd concept of service, "The right of decision makes effective leadership possible." What is “the right of decision?” How do we use the right of decision in the program? Example from Spencer’s home group: the “chair” chooses the person who gives the lead each week. GR, delegates to assembly, etc. How do we use the right of decision in our own lives? From Paths to Recovery (pg. 265): “In our own lives, the right of decision means we have the right to proceed in the best way we know and to ask for help when it is needed.” How does this concept connect with Tradition 2? (For our group purpose there is but one authority—a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants—they do not govern.) With Step 3? (Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.) Can I make a decision and be comfortable with it? If not, why not? Do I ever ask someone to do a task and then try to direct the details of how it should be done? If so, how can I change this pattern? The 3rd concept section of the AA 12, 12 and 12 study guide starts with the statement “We serve by acting on our conscience through our “Right of Decision” and we trust others when they exercise their ‘Right of Decision.” Am I acting in any area of my life that is contrary to my own conscience? Am I mistrustful of the decisions of others in authority over me? Am I demanding that anyone else act contrary to their conscience in order to please me? From Paths to Recovery: Is [concept three] not letting go and letting God?