Compromise : a settlement of differences by mutual concessions; an agreement reached by adjustment of conflicting or opposing claims, principles, etc., by reciprocal modification of demands
As I get along in this cruel yet wonderful world I find myself less and less willing to compromise. The world is full of compromises; the best camping spot is taken, so I settle on the spot next to the out house. The grocery store is out of Ben and Jerry’s Peanut Butter cup but they do have Chunky Monkey. But for sometime now, I have been turning down Chunky Monkey and running off to a different store to fine Peanut Butter cup. Is this my ego? Is it pride? Or is it just a demand for what I really want and I’m not willing to compromise. I ask myself, “is this a bad thing”? I do like nice things and I hate it when I have to compromise on an inferior gadget. But I don’t let that drive my life ether, at least not anymore in my sobriety. I feel as long as it doesn’t affect my spiritual well being it is ok to want something better. We need to define ego and pride and not confuse it with compromises. If I was too proud to camp next to that out house, then I might have a problem.
These are all just material compromises in our daily life’s that really don’t matter at all. It is the spiritual ones that matter. In My program I refuse to compromise on my higher power. I refuse to compromise on my recovery or my program. I believe a lot of alcoholics’ compromise on their program. This is when they ether they go back out, two step or maybe end up as a dry drunk. Do not settle on anything but the best recovery program God gives us.
Ken N.
