This beloved Step is what made the big changes....it was not easy, but it was possible, at last, to take a look at life, and all the great things that had happened since I had stopped drinking. Then the possibility of this continued freedom was the incentive, to study, and study, and practice and practice, not looking at life through my own eyes, but to take a look at life, leaving the ego part out of the picture, which of course was not an easy task, it looked so foreign at first.
Once a co-sponsor and I made arrangements to meet once a week, to talk about the steps, and how they applied to our lives, and we both thought it was very interesting, that on Step 1, and then on Step 2, they each took up maybe of month each, but when we got to the Third Step, we stayed on that step for almost 4 months.
So thanks for the invitation to come here, as always, need to work these steps in my life to the best of my ability.
Toni
cocoa said
Jun 22, 2007
Step 3 - I had absolutely no idea what this step meant. Thank Heaven for confidentes and sponsership. I finally got the courage to tell the truth I just didn't understand the concept. What this step means to me today is to turn my thoughts and my actions over to my HP. I basically can think what ever I want - however, the actions I have to turn over. Which for me is just don't act bad no matter what you think, perceive, or imagine.
the catch phase is AS WE UNDERSTAND. Me along can not possible understand my HP. Me alone have always place limitation on my HP. He/She/ or IT was some where locked into a little small box in my head. This is a daily deal 1, 2, 3, in all areas of my life. Followed by 10, 11, and 12. Now if 10 doesn't give the relief then sometimes I have to do a mini step 5 on a particular person, place, or thing.
It works if we work it.
BigV said
Jun 22, 2007
In the same way I decided to turn my will and life over to a destructive power, I now decide to turn my will and life over to a higher power, one that is much more powerful then my addiction.
And what I get for that is freedom from active addiction and less complications in my life and a better way and understanding to deal with life.
I'm not perfect at it it takes practice and remembering where i came from and who I am and theres room for ALOT of improvements.
"Ye of little faith,I know I remain within you regardless of your rejection of Me"
You know sometimes I feel disconnected from God and I wonder " where is my faith" I also remember something about have faith just the size of a mustard seed is enough so I guess I have just enough because I do have faith in a God who watchs over me and even carrys me through so much, IF I LET HIM.
it's a miracle any of us are clean today, some of us real severe addicts with addictions that have gone on for decades are lucky to even be alive, and most of us had nothing left but death or recovery we've done the rest.
Surrendering to the will of our Higher Power gets easier with daily practice.
Like i said it takes practice stay clean long enough and you'll have plenty of opportunitys to use this step over and over and endlessly AGAIN !!!!! and things begin to get better.........
Blessed said
Jun 25, 2007
Step Three
Made a decision to turn our will and our life over to the care of God (" as we understand him")
All I needed to be was willing to walk into the Third step. The first and the second step were about my Powerlessness and my life being unmanageable. Alcohol and the other stuff destroyed me and everything it touched. I had to be Re-Born.
In some of my shares I have mentioned that I had no God, I mean that I had no one I prayed to that I felt would listen to me. I had so much guilt and shame that I didn't feel worthy to even approach a God of the Universe. I was so ill that I couldn't read a book when I got sober, except I could read little bits of the BIG BOOK, and the 12x12 because I had to so I worked the Steps. It was the air I needed to breath each day for survival.
I will never forget when I was working this step and some of the Women in the rooms thought I was still getting drunk, because I was climbing the wall, having seizures and they were sure I was a mess. I was a mess but not a Drunk mess a very sick mess. I had to write about that as a resentment too! Resentments are an ALcoholics number one offender and I don't ever want to hold onto any for any reason. I need to flush them away down the toilet of my program.
When I read that an alcoholic is driven by 100 forms of fear, I can clear out most of them by working with God. On page 62 in the Big Book, 3rd Edition My life finally took on a new meaning.
Everytime I have done my steps I say the 3rd Step Prayer in private after spending time with my Sponsor pg 63. Whom I lost to Cancer of the Brain one year ago this next month in July.
Third Step Prayer
God I offer myself to Thee- to build with me and do with me as thou wilt. Releive me of the bondage of self, that I may better do thy will. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, THy Love, THy Way of Life. May I do THy wIll always!"
Take care,
Love Blessed
russman said
Jun 26, 2007
I will Keep this simple
Three frogs on a log one decedes to jump how many frogs left ?
answer three frogs ... one frog only made a decision .....Keep it Simple
This beloved Step is what made the big changes....it was not easy, but it was possible, at last, to take a look at life, and all the great things that had happened since I had stopped drinking. Then the possibility of this continued freedom was the incentive, to study, and study, and practice and practice, not looking at life through my own eyes, but to take a look at life, leaving the ego part out of the picture, which of course was not an easy task, it looked so foreign at first.
Once a co-sponsor and I made arrangements to meet once a week, to talk about the steps, and how they applied to our lives, and we both thought it was very interesting, that on Step 1, and then on Step 2, they each took up maybe of month each, but when we got to the Third Step, we stayed on that step for almost 4 months.
So thanks for the invitation to come here, as always, need to work these steps in my life to the best of my ability.
Toni
the catch phase is AS WE UNDERSTAND. Me along can not possible understand my HP. Me alone have always place limitation on my HP. He/She/ or IT was some where locked into a little small box in my head. This is a daily deal 1, 2, 3, in all areas of my life. Followed by 10, 11, and 12. Now if 10 doesn't give the relief then sometimes I have to do a mini step 5 on a particular person, place, or thing.
It works if we work it.
And what I get for that is freedom from active addiction and less complications in my life and a better way and understanding to deal with life.
I'm not perfect at it it takes practice and remembering where i came from and who I am and theres room for ALOT of improvements.
"Ye of little faith,I know I remain within you regardless of your rejection of Me"
You know sometimes I feel disconnected from God and I wonder " where is my faith" I also remember something about have faith just the size of a mustard seed is enough so I guess I have just enough because I do have faith in a God who watchs over me and even carrys me through so much, IF I LET HIM.
it's a miracle any of us are clean today, some of us real severe addicts with addictions that have gone on for decades are lucky to even be alive, and most of us had nothing left but death or recovery we've done the rest.
Surrendering to the will of our Higher Power gets easier with daily practice.
Like i said it takes practice stay clean long enough and you'll have plenty of opportunitys to use this step over and over and endlessly AGAIN !!!!!
love in recovery,
amanda