Second Step - Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
From: Paths to Recovery - pg. 19. (copyright 1997, by Al-AnonFamily Group Headquarters, Inc. Limited use by express written permission of Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.)
Some of us reject religion of any kind and call ourselves either agnostics or atheists. It is important to hear that, whether we practice a particular religion or not, all of us are welcome in Al-Anon. Yet, when we approach Step Two,we may suspect that a group ideology will be revealed, and we will be forced to conform or leave. Instead the group's members turn us toward defining our own idea of a Higher Power and we come to believe that such a Higher Power could exist and might help us.
Love in Recovery - Dot
Vicky R said
Jan 27, 2008
hi Dot thanks for that. Yes that's one of the good things about these programmes is the way they help you to find your own path with a minimum of 'interference' usually ( though not always perfectly ! ) I like to know that you enjoy that aspect as well. I wanted to add this reading for step 2 :
From: Courage to Change - pg. 149. (copyright 1992, by Al-AnonFamily Group Headquarters, Inc. Limited use by express written permission of Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.)
" I have heard it said that the only valid comparisons are between myself as I am and myself as I used to be. When I think of Step Two and of being restored to sanity, such a comparison comes to mind "
I think it's neat sometimes the way the literature puts things ! The emphasis is on our process which in the end has little to do with other peoples' . Then you see its really between you and your HP whatever that is ...
llol Vickyr x
Dot said
Jan 27, 2008
Second Step - I was one who had rejected religion and really didn't want to hear about God but I felt better after a meeting so I kept coming back. Little by little as I started feeling better I realized that I could believe in the group. They told me I only had to be willing to believe. In time I was able to accept that there is something that is bigger than I am. I'm not a religious person and am still searching for what my Higher Power is but my program tells me that's ok. Sometimes my Higher Power is my group - sometimes good orderly directioin - and sometimes a feeling that I am not alone. I know that when I ask for help I feel better and my life gets better. Al-Anon has made me saner than I was and has given me my life back.
Keep coming back - it gets better - Dot
getoverit said
Feb 4, 2008
Second Step - Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
From: Paths to Recovery - pg. 19. (copyright 1997, by Al-AnonFamily Group Headquarters, Inc. Limited use by express written permission of Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.)
Thank you and hellos to you Dot and to all who can find their way here,
This step has such a peaceful feeling to it -- its
a warm fuzzy : )
It is as simple as it says, that is to come to believe is all this
step asks of me.. I often repeat this over a day's time to
myself when issues related to the a surface for me, in my mind
at least, for the a usually has no idea of their behaving
is a concern to anyone at all..
lol
gentle paths n light n love to all y'all
getoverit
Blessed said
Feb 4, 2008
Second Step Al-Anon
Came to believe in a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to Sanity.
Well, this is the Step where we make a decision to truly give our life over to GOD.
When I first did my steps I struggled with GOd because I thought he was the enemy. I kept fighting with him about issues like how could you let such horrible things happen to me. It was all about me, me, me. I didn't care about anyone else but me. My life was such a shambles from so many years of chaous and doing it my way the only way I knew how, and the only way I was taught.
The 12 steps of A.A. taught me my beginning. It has continues to show me "How to Live" when I don't know how too. God is in the programs, each and everyone of them. He designed them through men and women. So that we can help each other and learn to Love one another and FORGIVE ourselves and others.
The growth that has come from surrendering wasn't painful. It was painful when I didn't surrender because I am hard headed and it hurt far more. I fought all the way too! Because I ran away so young at 13 years old all I knew was survival, control, and manipulation. Not to say that I am still not trying to control things with my marriage. Which doesn't work! But after 14 years of Sobriety this month. I am finally getting it and my marriage is getting better lately too.
I am a double winner. That means I am a Recovering Alcoholic and an A.C.O.A. Praise God i don't have a husband that is an alcoholic.
God restored me to Sanity and does each and everyday that I ask.
Working this step is to remember GOd's in Control.
I can pray for those I love and don't love. Ask for my words to always be seasoned with salt and light when I open my mouth today. Have a blessed day everyone.
Love to all of you,
Blessed
That is Sanity to the best of my ability.
celeste said
Feb 10, 2008
Your sanity sounds wonderful. Love a piece of it:)
I really believe in the presence of my HP in others. My sanity was returned to me thru the love and sharing of other who carried me during those dark times. I don;t feel sane all the time and there are days when I feel like all the wire in my head are unplugged. A solution is to go to a meeting, hear something I need to hear and leave the meeting feeling somuch better than when I arrived. That is part of Step Two for me.
getoverit said
Mar 9, 2008
Second Step - Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
From: Paths to Recovery - pg. 19. (copyright 1997, by Al-AnonFamily Group Headquarters, Inc. Limited use by express written permission of Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.)
Thank u Dot 4 the initiation of moving on into the second step. As I've been working the program, to use this step to fall back on during difficult times has been a blessing for me and those connected to me. This is a step of empowerment, that is to accept the power greater than I am is ready to accept my little prayer to my h.p. and that within myself, my request has been granted to me -- simply by my request for my h.p. to restore me to sanity. Some kids say how come is xyz experience not a bother to you? -- I smile as I say under my breathe 'this too shall pass.' And go back to the silent inward space where my serenity awaits me. To be certain, my intention is not to go around setting up explosive xyz types of experiences for me or to the other whose involved into my sacred place / space by any means. However, that another shares my space / place that other does bring in their energy to our shared experience. My esh is what takes me thru a given setting, as we say here 'if hp brought me to it, h p will get me through it. oceans of love and, Regards hamaste~ getoverit
From: Paths to Recovery - pg. 19. (copyright 1997, by Al-AnonFamily Group Headquarters, Inc. Limited use by express written permission of Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.)
Some of us reject religion of any kind and call ourselves either agnostics or atheists. It is important to hear that, whether we practice a particular religion or not, all of us are welcome in Al-Anon. Yet, when we approach Step Two,we may suspect that a group ideology will be revealed, and we will be forced to conform or leave. Instead the group's members turn us toward defining our own idea of a Higher Power and we come to believe that such a Higher Power could exist and might help us.
Love in Recovery - Dot
hi Dot thanks for that. Yes that's one of the good things about these programmes is the way they help you to find your own path with a minimum of 'interference' usually ( though not always perfectly ! ) I like to know that you enjoy that aspect as well. I wanted to add this reading for step 2 :
From: Courage to Change - pg. 149. (copyright 1992, by Al-AnonFamily Group Headquarters, Inc. Limited use by express written permission of Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.)
" I have heard it said that the only valid comparisons are between myself as I am and myself as I used to be. When I think of Step Two and of being restored to sanity, such a comparison comes to mind "
I think it's neat sometimes the way the literature puts things ! The emphasis is on our process which in the end has little to do with other peoples' . Then you see its really between you and your HP whatever that is ...
llol Vickyr x
Keep coming back - it gets better - Dot
From: Paths to Recovery - pg. 19. (copyright 1997, by Al-AnonFamily Group Headquarters, Inc. Limited use by express written permission of Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.)
Thank u Dot 4 the initiation of moving on into the second step. As I've been working the program, to use this step to fall back on during difficult times has been a blessing for me and those connected to me. This is a step of empowerment, that is to accept the power greater than I am is ready to accept my little prayer to my h.p. and that within myself, my request has been granted to me -- simply by my request for my h.p. to restore me to sanity. Some kids say how come is xyz experience not a bother to you? -- I smile as I say under my breathe 'this too shall pass.' And go back to the silent inward space where my serenity awaits me. To be certain, my intention is not to go around setting up explosive xyz types of experiences for me or to the other whose involved into my sacred place / space by any means. However, that another shares my space / place that other does bring in their energy to our shared experience. My esh is what takes me thru a given setting, as we say here 'if hp brought me to it, h p will get me through it.
oceans of love and,
Regards
hamaste~
getoverit
-- Edited by getoverit at 22:31, 2008-03-09