I introduce myself in meetings by my first name because I believe
newcomers take comfort in this practice. I know I did when I was new. I
introduce myself by both first and last names when I address community
groups as part of our public outreach effort. I use my full name when I share by email. My use of my name varies
depending on the circumstance, but the concept of "personal anonymity"
goes deeper than how many names I use to introduce myself. It reminds me
that I don't deserve any personal credit for my sobriety or for
anything good in Alcoholics Anonymous, past, present or future. Every
drop of the good is supplied by the Source and I am merely a channel of
this good.
It's easy for ego, the little self-promoter,
to take credit for everything good that happens both inside and outside
of our rooms. Ego says, "I did this, I did that, and you should do what I
did." Ego's sobriety is a self-help program. It goes good for a couple
of weeks, but it doesn't last. Spirit's sobriety is a God-help program.
It's eternal. It's not about what I do, it's about what I am becoming.
Your sobriety is attractive to me, not because you can quote the Big
Book chapter and verse, but because you seem peaceful and happy. I sense
that you fit comfortably in your own skin.
My name is
not the truth of what I am. It is just a convenience like my email
address. On the level of spirit, there is no Jeff, Sally and Bill there
is only spirit. My sobriety is attractive when I let let go of my
personal identity and simply let the qualities of spirit shine through.