“Gossip … has its satisfactions for us, too.” – 12& 12 “… gossip, laughter at the expense of other people…” – AA Big Book

The tendency to want to talk about someone to another person is strong. In fact, oftentimes it’s the social glue that exists in many relationships. Of course, saying nice things about others that they wouldn’t mind us discussing isn’t gossip.  But if we really stop to think how we would feel if a bunch of people were sitting around, talking about us, not nice things mind you, but about our struggles, character defects and problems, we would be less apt to continue gossiping. Trust me, I’m not perfect – I still have trouble resisting the urge to gossip sometimes. But the program encourages me to try and stop acting in ways that hurt others.  So each year, I gossip less, and praise others more. And as long as I continue to practice our principles, and try to be the best man I can be each day, ILML! 

– JamieQ