Benign anarchy

At my morning meeting we discussed benign anarchy as it relates to A.A. I realize A.A. doesn’t work for everyone, but it does for me. Anarchy often has a negative connotation, but essentially it means without rules. Benign meaning ‘not harmful’, and ‘gentle and kindly’. The ONLY requirement for this program is that you have a desire to stop drinking. That’s it. It isn’t written anywhere that those in the program have to help anyone, but that’s just what happens. I’m there for the same reasons everyone else is, and as a result I care about their sobriety just as they care about mine. By someone else sharing their story I learned that I’m not alone, and sometimes what I say helps others. No rules, this is just how it works, and I like that. What does everyone else think about benign anarchy?
It’s a good day to be sober, thanks to my higher power today, David Gilmour. Sending virtual hugs to all. :heart:

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I’m a fan. :raised_back_of_hand: I probably most identify with anarcho-syndicalism a la Noam Chomsky. I think true anarchy is benign. Any sort of violence or aggression people tend to associate with anarchy represents a minority who don’t understand anarchy as a political or philosophical ideal.

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Thank you! Yes! I feel exactly the same way. Anarchy isn’t a BAD thing at all, I believe it can be and often is what inspires people to break out of the box and learn to imagine, create, and live a more fulfilling life.

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I guess it got a really bad rap following the red scares after both world wars :woman_shrugging: by being lumped in with communism.

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That’s a great point, Jennie.

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And I like your extrapolation of it into creative and novel ways of living!

Awww, shucks… :blush: Thanks!