Banff AA Round Up: An AA Speaker’s Story About Storms, Sponsors, and Perspective

The AA speaker took the podium at the Banff AA Round Up.

She said, “I want to thank the organizers for asking me to share my experience, strength and hope—and for being so persistent. I’ve been invited twice before, and each time I agreed to speak, but something prevented me from getting here. One year, hurricanes grounded every flight. Next, a major storm shut down all the airports.”

“I told my sponsor, ‘God must have had something else in mind for me. He clearly doesn’t want me speaking at Banff.’”

She paused. “My sponsor suggested it was unlikely that God called for a hurricane and a major storm, shutting down entire airports, just for me. God would not inconvenience the rest of the world just to keep me from speaking.”

Taking Things Personally in Recovery: How Ego Distorts Reality

I felt a sting of irritation. Her comment challenged a belief I didn’t know I had—that somehow God, fate, and even the weather revolved around me.

We all laughed when she told the story, but it struck a deeper chord. The world is not orchestrated around me. It isn’t conspiring, coordinating, or adjusting itself to my script. The world simply moves, and people simply act—usually without a single thought of me.

When I take things personally, I’m not seeing reality; I’m seeing the distortion of my own ego.

• The world doesn’t do things to me; it just does things.

And this is true of people as well. Often, I feel that people are out to get me. But most of the time, they aren’t even aware of me.

• People don’t do things to me—they just do things.

The attitude that people are deliberately frustrating me comes from a deep, unconscious well of self absorption. Feeling wronged or inconvenienced simply because I didn’t get my way is profoundly self centered.

From Self-Centeredness to Serenity: Vigilance, Clarity, and Peace

Ego fogs the truth. Vigilance clears it.

And clarity reminds me of the simplest, hardest fact: I am not the center of the world—and that’s exactly where peace begins.

Quick reflection prompts

• Where am I assuming this situation is “about me”?
• What’s a more reality-based explanation?
• What would it look like to release the need to control the script?

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FAQs

1) What does “taking things personally” look like in recovery?
Assuming events or people’s actions are targeted at you, then reacting from hurt, anger, or control.

2) Why does ego make everything feel personal?
Ego centers your narrative—turning neutral events into “messages” about your worth, importance, or safety.

3) How can I tell if I’m in “ego fog”?
You feel certain others are against you, you’re easily offended, and you keep replaying “they did this to me” stories.

4) What’s a healthier reframe when plans fall apart?
“Life happened.” Then ask: what’s my next right action?

5) How does this connect to AA and the 12 Steps?
It aligns with humility, inventory, and letting go of self-centered fear—key themes across multiple Steps.

6) What’s the difference between not personalizing and ignoring real harm?
Not personalizing doesn’t mean tolerating mistreatment. It means seeing clearly, setting boundaries, and responding wisely.

7) How can I practice this in the moment?
Pause, breathe, and ask: What evidence says this is about me? What’s a more neutral explanation?

8) Why does “I’m not the center of the world” bring peace?
Because it reduces pressure, resentment, and control—opening space for acceptance and steadier emotions.

9) What if I’m stuck in resentment?
Talk to a sponsor/trusted person, write it out, identify your part (if any), and choose a constructive next step.

10) Can this help with relationships?
Yes—less mind-reading, less defensiveness, and more direct communication.

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