As the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous cautions on page 87 to, “pause, when agitated or doubtful, and ask for the right thought or action”. us marijuana addicts too can benefit from this advice, particularly in these potentially heated discussions over whether or not to make these proposed changes.
We can remember to pause if the business meeting is causing members to become agitated, whether it be for a minute to all raise our hands to recite “The Serenity Prayer” together to remember why we’re debating this issue in the first place (to help us determine how to best fulfill our primary purpose and carry the message to the addict who still suffers), or a 5-10 minute break to pray, meditate, get up to stretch our legs or grab a drink of water, or a week long break to table the business meeting until the following week so members can calm down, sleep, and think on the points raised during the discussion. If anyone’s minds are going to change, they’ll be more likely to do so if given the time to step away, reflect on the discussion, and let any emotions cool, and not while still swept up in the heat of the moment.
Decisions made when members of the group/meeting are feeling “agitated or doubtful” are not as likely to be grounded in spirituality, nor are they as likely to be a product of members’ best thinking, or that next “right thought or action” so many of us in recovery are working towards. If members are feeling “agitated or doubtful” as a group during these discussions, then it is wise for all to “pause” and “seek the next indicated right thought or action” as the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous suggests. p. 87. Better decision making can usually then occur after allowing everyone in the meeting some time to pause and do whatever each member needs to do in order to reset.