Our Common Welfare Comes First

Thought for today:

In DA we all come from different backgrounds and professions, but we focus on our common problem of debting, overspending and under earning.  Our disease is no respecter of persons – and neither is our recovery! 

DA Tradition 1.

“Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon D.A. unity.”

A member shares:

“My debts wore me down over time, to the point I was always lonely and depressed.  When I came to DA, I could hardly talk I was so confused over and anxious about my debts.  I squeaked out my name at my first meeting, and that was about it.

“If there was a lot of arguments or division in DA, I never would have stayed.  I’ had enough arguments with my creditors to last a lifetime – the last thing I wanted was to have conflict with other people.  I just wanted to hide under a the blankets and hope it would all go away.

“DA welcomed me and they gave me a beginners packet of literature and phone numbers.  They told me I could call them before making any difficult decisions, and I did just that.

“Now with the help of DA, I have my debts under control and am slowly making payments to resolve them.  I have a Spending Plan that ‘puts my needs first‘, and I’m starting to come out of hiding socially too.  I can do this because I have made some great friends in the program of recovery, and we help each other.”

Benefits of Unity:

The group comes first because we need each other in order to recover.  Without the group, there is no recovery.  To stay solvent, we need to carry the message of solvency to newcomers, and try to live the Twelve Steps and Twelve Tools of DA.

Ask:

“When I’m in DA meetings, do I focus on what I have in common with the others in DA, for the greater good of DA unity?”

Meditation for Today:

No one is an island by themselves. We have more in common with each other than we are comfortable admitting. If we could only trust in the universal consciousness around us, we would know that our feelings are universal, and we would have more compassion for each other.  When we contemplate compassion, we are free to feel divine love.

Affirmations for Today:

I can find common ground with anyone, without surrendering my principles. It may take effort, but I will identify my feelings that are in common with other people, and in so doing, know I am not alone.

Recommended Reading:

How to Get Out Of Debt, Stay Out of Debt, and Live Prosperously“, by Jerrold Mundis, is a comprehensive guide to getting “Back to the Black”, using the concepts of Debtors Anonymous. Many have benefited from Jerrold’s thoughtful encouragement, especially in dealing with creditors, increasing income and reversing under earning.

How to Get Out of Debt, Stay Out of Debt, and Live Prosperously*: Based on the Proven Principles and Techniques of Debtors Anonymous

Other great books for planning our time:

First Things First

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change

Also, see our Fourth Step Template which helps us to take a fearless moral inventory.

Some members, with the help of their Pressure Relief Group, take a moratorium from debt payments in order to get their spending under control.  See this Debt Moratorium sample letter to creditors for one example.

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