April 26, 2023 - Readings in Recovery: Today's Gift from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation

 

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Today’s Gift from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is:

Avoiding Gossip

Tale-bearers are as bad as the tale-makers.

 Richard Sheridan

What we talk about, not whom we talk about, is one of the ways we place principle above personalities and practice our Twelfth Tradition. At meetings and over coffee, it’s tempting to pass along things we hear about other people who share our recovery.

Before we gossip or find fault with others, wise members teach us to ask ourselves three questions: “Is it true? Is it kind? Is telling it important to help someone’s recovery?” If we can’t say yes to each question, we mustn’t repeat it. If a single word from us hurts someone else, our guilt could throw us back into addiction. Our gossip could cause someone else to lose faith in the program, and throw them back into addiction.

I will not gossip. Let me talk about principles, not personalities.

Hazelden Foundation

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