Obedience to the Unenforceable

The phrase 'obedience to the unenforceable' puzzled me. What does that even mean? Then I understood: it's about choosing to follow principles because they're right, not because anyone is making me. No one enforces Al-Anon principles. No one checks if I'm working my program. No one punishes me if I don't follow the Traditions. My obedience is completely voluntary—unenforceable.

This requires a different kind of integrity than I'd practiced before. It's easy to follow rules when someone is watching, when there are consequences for breaking them. But following principles when no one would know if I didn't? When there's no punishment for cutting corners? That requires internal motivation, genuine commitment, real integrity.

In my home group, this plays out in practical ways. I show up for my service commitment not because anyone will shame me if I don't, but because I committed to it. I maintain anonymity not because someone will punish me for breaking it, but because I believe in the principle. I listen respectfully even when I disagree not because it's enforced, but because it's the right way to participate.

Practicing obedience to the unenforceable has strengthened my character. I'm becoming a person who does the right thing because it's right, not because I'm afraid of consequences. That's a different kind of person than I was before Al-Anon—and a person I respect more.

I can practice obedience to the unenforceable today. I can follow Al-Anon principles not because anyone is watching, but because I believe in them. I can keep commitments not because I'll be punished if I don't, but because I said I would. This builds true integrity.