Thank you for the Step 2 questions, Dot. 1. Have past experiences affected my concept of a Higher Power? Yes, because without the help of a Higher Power, many things that came across my path would have been too much for me to handle. As it was, things just seemed to flow from day to day. Great things happened and awful things happened but they all just blended into a dull conglomeration. 2. How do I describe the Higher Power I found in Al-/Anon? Looking at the concept of a HP brought me to the conclusion that there is a loving God who is with us at all times. I am never alone. 3. What does "Let Go and Let God" mean to me? When a problem such as alcoholism is overwhelming no amount of anger, resentment, revenge, fear or trying to control the drinker is going to have a positive effect. If I let go of the problem and turn it over to a HP instead of reacting and lashing out then the outcome is in the HP's hands. 4. What does "Came to believe" mean to me? The past tense refers to the many people before us who regained their sanity by asking for help from a HP.

From: Courage to Change pg. 156 (copyright 1992 , by Al-Anon
Family Group Headquarters, Inc. Limited use by express written permission of Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.)

" This little bit of hope , this chink in the armor of despair , is enough to show that we are willing to move in the direction of healing. Once we recognize that the possibility of help exists , it seems worthwhile to explore a relationship with a Higher Power . A little willingness can go a long way toward making hope and faith an ongoing part of our lives. In the hands of a Higher Power , sanity and serenity become realistic hopes "

hi Dot Baffled and everyone , thanks for all the shares . This quote says it well for me today , also adding too that HP does not have to be a religious one ... this is important as there are atheists that use 12 step programmes . HP can be also a fellowship or whatever you choose as long as it isn't a harsh belief. Our concept of an HP can also change if it's useful and handing over trust to it can also be easy , difficult or gradual depending on the person and their experiences also and what is best for them ,

llol Vickyr x



-- Edited by Vicky R at 20:47, 2007-06-12

1. Have past experiences affected my concept of a Higher Power?  Oh, yes.

2. How do I describe the Higher Power I found in Al-/Anon?  I am still struggling with this right now.  I believe in God, I know I do in my heart.  I am just having a hard time wanting his help and letting him lead the way for me.

3. What does "Let Go and Let God" mean to me?  To me it means to let go of controling everything and let things happen in their natural order.  Things will be how they must without me having to have any part in it.

4. What does "Came to believe" mean to me?

thanks Rita and Denoraphy for experience , strength and hope on this . It can be really helpful to read about others varied experiences of the programme shared in this way , look forward to reading you again on future steps ,

llol Vickyr x

1. Have past experiences affected my concept of a Higher Power? I believe that my higher power has plans for me and is there for me when I need it the most. I know that he only gives me what I can handle. The rest I give back to him. 2. How do I describe the Higher Power I found in Al-/Anon? I am having a hard time wanting his help and letting him lead the way for me. 3. What does "Let Go and Let God" mean to me? "Let go and Let god" this has been really hard for me...... The letting go of issues I have are hard for me to turn over to god. I always think that I can take care of it. But in truth I need to learn to Let go and let god in everything I do. 4. What does "Came to believe" mean to me? To accept that my higher power will be there for me when there is turmoil in my life. To believe that my higher power will hold me till I let go and let god.

1. Have past experiences affected my concept of a Higher Power?

First of all my Higher Power I choose to call God, Jesus Christ and The Holy Ghost.
 GOd has shown me how to LOVE myself and others with an honesty that I didn't know I had. My past experiences have not only made me stronger, wiser, and more apt to listen because I needed to Change. But they have strengthened my FAITH.

2. How do I describe the Higher Power I found in Al-Anon?

Well, Let's see, I didn't find my higher power, (GOD) in Al-Anon. I was Lost and HE found me. It was really pretty amazing to say the least. I started to realize WHO GOD IS in A.A. Then I began a personal relationship with him later.

3. What does "Let go and Let God" mean to me? Since it is an A.A. SLogan and the first time I had seen it was on the wall of a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous.
It means to be able to release everything to "THE LORD." It means giving away every HURT, HANGUP, PROBLEM, ANGER, DESISION, FINANCIAL MATTER, EVERYTHING that bothers you over to the care of GOD. We don't have to Fix, change, correct, advize, solve anyones problem. Not even some of the BIG ONES. It means that I can have a peace that surpasses all understanding.

4. What does came to believe mean to me?

Came to Believe! It simply means that my eyes opened and The LIGHTS went on from the darkness I had been living in. That I can now Believe in "GOD" he exists and I pray to him.
 I know he exists. I refuse to think I came some Big Bang theory, or some Sudge. I am LOVED and I am now A CHILD OF GOD.
I have had one Miracle after another after another so I can honestly say, " I have a Friend in God".

Thanks,
BLessed





-- Edited by Blessed at 09:23, 2007-07-03

Step Two Questions
1. Have past experiences affected my concept of a Higher Power?
I dont really know if i ever doubted that there was a God or HP... I mean I have thought once in life that there was a possiblity of us just dying and that was it, we stayed in the ground and nothing happened from there but that was long ago, i do believe in a higher power/God and i have asked or wondered why he has let me go through the crap that i have been through. but there is always a reason and i believe he does have a plan. and probably the things that i have gone through are because i havent gone with the flow, i have gone against the grain and fought things that were just supposed to be, so i have had to learn the long hard way. which means i put myself through my own misery, i like that saying let go and let god. even though it seems hard to do at times it is most likely the best thing i or anyone else can do with our problems, our lives even.
2. How do I describe the Higher Power I found in Al-/Anon? the higher power i have found is a loving caring god who has always been there, i just havent always been able to let go of my situations and hand them over because i was in doubt of myself letting go. like for instance..... my alcoholic husband. in stead of just detaching when he would drink and make chaos i had to add fuel to the fire. i didnt know i was doing it then because i hadnt read any of the alanon literature but i made things worse. i thought i was doing good by lecturing him repeatedly when he screwed up and i thought he understood, but i have to admit that things have been so much better around here since we have both come to admit out problems and have been willing to hand them over to God/HP
and also i had thought that my losing my daughter and giving up the fight would just make me an even worse mom not trying and trying and trying until i got her back in my life. but you cant control people or situations and if i just stop fighting the fight andlet what is meant to be happen then i will find peace and serenity and i reall y believe it. i was actually able to have a normal conversation with my ex about my daughter without him telling me it was none of my business and a hang up. and it felt great. i wasnt on the defensive or offensive. no he isnt an alcoholic but i feel that the alanon pilosophies can be used in all of life not just for dealing with an alcoholic and this issue with my daughter is alot of what pops into my head instead of my husband. which is fine with me, it helps me detach and worry about getting on with my self and my own issues. so i am letting go and letting god and some days it is harder than others but i will get through it. she will be around when the time is right. i have faith.
3. What does "Let Go and Let God" mean to me?
well i think i just explained what it means to me in the last two questions but i think it means when i find myself worrying or trying too hard for something to focus on myself and turn it over to God and let him do his will whatever it may be.
4. What does "Came to believe" mean to me?
i havent read any thing about came to believe if there is anything to read, im new to alanon. but if there isnt anything this is what i think of when i hear came to believe. i came to believe there was a God or higher power before i knew about alanon, but i didnt turn my things over to him. now in alanon i came to beleive even more that there was a God/HP even more as he has made a miracle out of the turmoil of life i had here in a very small period of time when there was no hope and leaving seemed to be the only way out. which i did do, and thats when i let go out of despair but he stepped in and took over. my hands were no longer on the situation and he took over! thats when i came to believe. thank God for alanon! It has opened my eyes to a whole new way of thinking!   

i know it seems hard to do at times even when i say this to myself when i am going through some drama, but if we let go and let god, and enjoy what we have while we are here thats what its all about. the kids, the family, nature, art, love, faith, spirituality, the lessons we learn along the way. its all worth it. try to look for the bright side and it will be easier to live laugh and love. man i have to tape that to my forehead and look in the mirror repeatedly throughout the day, lol