A POWERFUL TRADITION

November 25

Before the book Alcoholics Anonymous was published, our Fellowship had no name. At first, “The Way Out” was nearly chosen, but when it was discovered that twelve other books already carried that title, the name Alcoholics Anonymous became our first choice. That name gave identity to our book of shared experience, to our movement, and, as time has shown, to a tradition of profound spiritual significance.

“A.A. TRADITION: HOW IT DEVELOPED,” pp. 35-36

From Bill’s pivotal decision in Akron to make a phone call instead of heading to the bar, we can see how often a Higher Power has guided crucial moments in our history. In those early days, the importance of anonymity was barely understood, yet it would later become the cornerstone of our Traditions. Even the naming of our Fellowship seemed touched by chance.

God often works quietly, appearing in our lives through what we call “luck,” “coincidence,” or “chance.” If anonymity became the spiritual foundation of our Traditions through what seemed like happenstance, perhaps it was God’s way of acting anonymously on our behalf.