प्रिंसिपल्स,नोट PERSONALITIES

 
Principles, Not Personalities

Since starting the process of life recovery many years ago, the thinking and acting on “Principles, Not Personalities” has been possibly the most important lesson I have learned in human relations.
Today I do have abiding principles I try to live by. As they relate to dealing with others, they can likely be summed up by the tried and true “Golden Rule”.
For a period of time in my life, occasionally I’d do on to others before they did it to me. I found that there were many people I couldn’t stand and honestly wished them no good in their lives. I was taught to keep your friends close and your enemies closer. It made human relations tough.
In your dealings with people today, can you relate to any of that type of thinking?
In one of the sites I participate in, I posted an article entitled “Simple Logic” hoping to share some thoughts with people who were struggling to find a power greater than themselves in their life. I am shocked at how far off topic the comments digressed, and how people got into personal assignations about others with total disregard for the principles of the site. A reminder about the importance of putting principles before personalities.
Among the things that are a part of the process of life recovery for me is attendance at group meetings- a “Fellowship” of men and women. Upon first attending I knew there were people in the group I just didn’t like and the feeling was likely mutual. Yet we all shared a common purpose, and over time I have learned that not liking is OK, but I must love all and treat them as I would like to be treated. The following is a good reminder from Daily Reflections:
The reality was that I couldn't possibly like everyone, nor they me.
As I've grown in the Fellowship, I've learned to love everyone
just from listening to what they had to say.
I must always remember to place principles before personalities. 
 - Daily Reflections,  p. 365
As I’ve learned to listen with an open mind, there is seldom a person I can’t learn something from, and this is true I with life in general. To put principles before personalities is a living skill I’ve learned through the help of others and its application is progress. I have not yet reached perfection but will march on!
Today, my human relations skills are the best the have been in my life due to a focus on my principles.
Thought to Ponder . . .Learn to listen; listen to learn.