How many times in recovery have we misunderstood someone's behavior, rushed to judge them, labeled them, and stuck with that view? Perhaps his understanding of a Power greater than himself was different from ours and we concluded that this man had no idea of spirituality. Or we may have seen a couple fight, thought their relationship was sick, and along the way discovered that their marriage has been going well for many years.
When we easily label another person, we don't even make the effort to see who they are. Every time we criticize someone's behavior, we reject any possibility of seeing them as our friend and fellow traveler in recovery.
Whoever we ask if he likes to be criticized, he will surely answer us with a resounding "no"! Wouldn't we feel bad if we were in his position? Of course. Our strengths are mostly what we want others to see. The other members want exactly the same. This program asks us to look at life positively. The more we focus on the positive in others, the better we see the positive parts of ourselves.
by NA members