When you point a finger at someone else, three are pointing back at you.

I love the fellowship and its constant reminder that my recovery is a "daily reprieve" contingent on my spiritual condition. A while back, a 12-step member emailed me, defending himself against blowback for writing an unsanctioned recovery book. He griped about the central office’s lack of spiritual principles in attacking him for sharing his journey his way. I agreed—let the man write!—but then I remembered: didn’t he once slam another recovery group in the name of 'unity'? I considered responding with, 'Pot, meet kettle.'

But here’s the rub: if I call him out for missing his own shortcomings, aren’t I doing the same? When I judge, complain, or criticize, I’m the one spiritually off-balance—not them. They might be off too, but that’s not my side of the street. My job is service, and I can’t serve while pointing fingers. I deleted the email.