rights, privileges, obligations

no man is an island
this one in particular
if it were just up to me
i couldn't care less what you think or feel
but !
it's not just my personal concerns i represent in daily worldly affairs
i am in fact one of us
at the very least i represent my family name, team, fellow club members, community, country, nationality and the species
like it or not, accept it or not
i serve as an ambassador for those i consider allies and/or associates on any societal level
i am a citizen of this neighbourhood, town, province, country, of this world
i enjoy rights and privileges due to this inalienable truth
i am also accountable to honor the obligations inherent as a responsible citizen
ignorance of the laws and constitution regarding any of these societal levels is no excuse
if i break the traffic laws, i deserve the ticket and fine....period !

as a citizen, are there social circumstances where one ought to be exempt from accountability ?
does one ever earn the right to disregard the laws and constitution of the land ?
does one ever purchase this right to pick and choose which laws and rules to observe ?
these are sincere questions for you the reader
do you enjoy an exemption in your daily life affairs ?
if so, do you feel entitled to this "special" status ?
are there social gatherings you attend where the rights, privileges and obligations of our land do not apply in practice ?
are you comfortable with your behavior, speech and demeanor as an ambassador of whatever social gathering you represent ?

i am a proud member of A.A.
i ask my fellow members, are you comfortable with how responsibly you represent our fellowship ?
are you one of the special exemptions ?
do you feel entitled to allow your personal opinions and preferences take precedence over our time tested principles ?....just because you're little ol' you ?
are you one of those "special" alcoholics who chooses to do it "your way" rather than "the A.A. way" ?
....whether the rest of us citizens like it or not ?....or suffer or not ?

you know who you are
the truth is rumbling somewhere in your belly
some deep inner voice is telling you that change is needed
is change the reason you choose to be with us ?
why are you here anyway ?
what is it you hope to gain by choosing to perpetuate "your way" ?
do you know ?
do you care ?
sincere questions for those who dare consider them
do you understand what your rights, privileges and obligations are ?
do you understand your responsibility as an ambassador for A.A. ?
do you wish to be an ambassador for A.A. ?
do you wish to enjoy the rights and privileges....while ignoring the obligations ?
do you care ?