A great worldwide fellowship

...the only requirement for AA membership is a desire to stop drinking. Twelve steps and twelve traditions p.139
This third tradition of AA is one of my favorites. AA does not discriminate on age, gender, religion or lack of religion.
When I attended my first AA meeting, I saw young and old people, male and female, Caucasians and asians. We were brought together by our affliction and our desire to help ourselves and others. I grew in the program and in the fellowship on my own pace. Nobody judged me or forced me to do anything. All I had to do was sit and listen. And when the spirit moved me, I shared.
The AA fellowship continues to grow worldwide and the traditions are what binds us all together, no matter that each group is autonomous. It is the simplicity of the program that has made the fellowship and me spiritually and physically strong in the process of working my steps and following the traditions.