Step Two - Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. From Paths to Recovery - Al-Anon's 12 Steps, Traditions and Concepts, pg 19. (copyright 1997, by Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., Limited use by express written permission of Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.) In the beginning to understand Step Two, we learn that we have choices. If the members of any group in the world were surveyed, each person would respond differently with a personal definition of a Higher Power. If we resist the idea of God as our Higher Power, we can begin by using the group as a Power greater than ourselves. In the group we meet people like us who are coping with many of the same problems and finding creative solutions we had not considered or attitudes that make the similar situations in their lives more tolerable. We consider that many heads are better than one and draw on the groups collective wisdom. Love in Recovery - Dot How is step two working in your life. Are you sane yet? :):)

 lol..  am I sane yet?  not quite yet.  But I am coming to believe. 

amanda

I remember when I first started working on this step, I thought I will never be able to get this, I didn't know what sanity was. Then I heard someone say "Progress, not Prefection". Okay, I thought , I can do this. It's getting better, insanity is not the whole picture now.

(((Hugs)))

GammyRose

Thanks for posting Step Two.

This was and still is an important step for me.  It's where I began to understand that I didn't have all the answers.  As much as I tried, alone I couldn't solve my problems.  In fact, it seemed that I was just making my situation worse.  After years of trying everything I could think of, it was time I opened up to help from others.

At first, my faith in my HP was pretty weak.  I hadn't focused on my spirituality for a very long time, so it was almost nonexistent.  My Alanon group, especially my sponsor, was my HP until my faith in my HP gained strength.  This doesn't mean that my group is any less important now.  It just means that today, I believe that my HP has the answers for me.  My Alanon group provides human, tangible love acceptance and support.

Each time I work through the 12 steps, I gain a much deeper understanding of myself, others and my faith in God grows stronger.  I've learned that not only is it OK to ask others for help, it's imperative when dealing with such a confusing and destructive environment brought on by alcoholism. 

Today, I know I don't have all the answers.  I don't have to have all the answers.  My HP (God) has a wonderful plan for my life and all I need to do is be open and willing to listen and He will show me the way. 

Peace,

Jane

I always believed in a higher power, but trying to realize that he could lead me to sanity was something else. I thought I was the only one who could do that. Now I"m beginning to see that I can't by myself. Thank you for having this board here, I really believe that I am becoming sane again, thanks to this board and my therapist and my family. Terri

When I entered the doors of Al-Anon, I believed in a power greater than myself.  My HP is God. The effects of living with active alcoholism for many, many years finally brought me to Al-Anon.  It was not long before I asked a longtime member of the group if she had ever questioned her own sanity.  "Yes", she said without skipping a beat, "that is one of the effects of living with alcoholism."  That dear lady told me two things without uttering another word: (1) that I was not crazy, and (2) I was in the right place; I belong here.

As many have said before me, "my best thinking got me here."  I have read in our meditation books the only valid comparisons to be made are between "myself as I am" and "myself as I used to be."  I am grateful to my God and Al-Anon that today I am not that angry, hurting , raging,  judgemental, self-righteous hypocrite that I used to be.

Today I strive to be the best me I can be, the me that God meant for me to be, and with His help and the help of Al-Anon I will become healthier still.

Yours in recovery - Shimo (Jeri)

 

 

How is step two working in your life. Are you sane yet? :):)

I found that Step 2 was easy.  It only took me six months of agony for it to really start working.  Then the realization slowly dawned on me that my actions were idiotic.  I kept doing the same things expecting different results.  If that isn't insane I don't know what insane is.

I am not sane yet.   I probably never will be but I am definitely better.

And better is good.

MsgBo

 

I have come to realize that with the help of my HP can I get sanity back in my life. I have to come to realize my thinking was distorted and I have only been having negative thoughts for so long that it has overpowered my whole being. I do not want to be this Negative person who always lives in the past and in my own mind so to speak. I have finally come to the realization that I do have a problem and the only way to fix my problem is to turn it over to my Higher Power so that I may be sane again and not live in yesterday. With God, Al Anon, my husband, my little girl, and myself will I be able to do so. At this point, in my opinion, I am not sure if I will ever be totally sane just know that I am getting better and living each day one day at a time! And I can live with better as well!! Because better means Happiness! And I am finally beginning to feel happiness. It is just going to take time. JMB

(((((Family))))) Step 2 was easy after the realization of step 1. I know that the only way back to sanity will be with the help of my HP whom I choose to call God. Coming to this realization was the greatest freedom I have known in my 34 years of being married to an alcoholic. I know 2008 is going to be a great year. Love and Blessings, Cookie