If we idly scan the walls of the meeting room where we gather with our friends in our recovery program, and if that room is also used for Al-Anon meetings, the more observant of us will notice a subtle difference in one of their Steps.

The Al-Anon version of Step 12 reads:

Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to others, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

Why does it say others? Because it would be too awkward to say other Al-Anons?

Or is it that the Al-Anon program states explicitly what is implicit in our other programs -- that Step 12 is about carrying the message everywhere, not merely to people who suffer the same presenting problem as ourselves?

Perhaps this is why a friend in AA said many years ago:

True Al-Anons work a more universal program than the rest of us. Although the words powerless over alcohol appear in their First Step, Al-Anons really are admitting that they are powerless over everything. That realization can come all too late in other programs. Some AAs never do recognize it.

Until, that is, they really begin to work the last three Steps.