Contorted Expectations

Since most of us are born with an abundance of natural desires, it isn't strange that we often let these far exceed their intended purpose. When they drive us blindly, or we willfully demand that they supply us with more satisfactions or pleasures than are possible for us, that is the point at which we depart from the degree of perfection that God intended for us here on earth. That is the measure of our character defects, or, if you wish, of our sins.

TWELVE STEPS AND

TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 65

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This is one of the rare mentions of sin in AA literature. Most of us call them character defects and, by doing so, the moral disdain for our shortcomings is removed. Morality might be fine for religious folk obsessed with honing their lives towards perfection; however, some of us don’t need the implied guilt associated with the word, sin. This isn't to avoid the consequences of our actions but we are careful not to be sponsors of a self-righteous condemnation of ourselves or others. I’m not even so sure that God, or, whatever we think of as a Higher Power, has any expectations of perfection from any of us. I don’t mean to be controversial about this but, experience tells me that this is not only a futile ambition, but it can be counter-productive, to strive for perfection rather than improvement along these lines. Isn't it a better ambition to be relaxed… calm… serene… comfortable and at peace with who we really are instead of always contorting ourselves into a frustrated ball of anxiety towards an unattainable goal?

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