Step Twelve - Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to others, and to practice these principals in all our affairs.
When I came to Al-Anon I didn't want a spiritual experience. All I wanted was for smeone to tell me how to help the a not drink.
Beginning with Steo One this program started me on a spiritual journey that has given me a Higher Power that does for me what I cannot do for myself.
It has given me back my life. I'm a person who loves people - who loves to help people but not by doing for them what they can do for themselves - I'm stubborn, loving, considerate, bossy, hard working, honest and very much imperfect. I ike myself and enjoy my own company. The program tells me that if I try to practice these princples in all my affairs I'll be ok - one day at a time.
My Higher Power gives me the courage to meet each day - to take responsibility for my own actions and also for my in-actios. Depending on my Higher Power keeps me grounded in my program and out of others business.
I know I can't keep my serenity if I don't share my experience, strength and hope with others. Sometimes all a person needs to heve hope is to have their feelings validated and know they are not alone.
My Higher Power may not be the same as yours but mine gives me strength and a family of choice to support me.
Love and hugs - Dot
-- Edited by dot at 23:36, 2005-05-06
amanda2u2 said
May 7, 2005
Step 12 is the longest chapter in the AA 12x12 book, and i remember posting it in our last cycle. I had to post it in 3 sections cuz I kept getting timed out. But it was sooo worth it. It wraps up all the Steps so that we can have an overview of the whole program. It describes how the active alcholic can become like a naughty child, and the spouse can fall into a dominating parent role. It also describes how a couple can get out of this codepency so that the recoverying alcoholic and the recoverying spouse can act like two mature people in a healthy relationship. I recommend reading this to everyone.
I am not going to post this all again, due to current circumstances, but hope that John does for you all.
For my 'share',,, I find that 2 stepping is very easy. It's easy for us to say that 1 we find that we are powerless and our lives are unmanageable, and 12 to give other people advice and try to run the show with our own wills. It is much harder to really work all the Steps and then try to practice them in all our affairs. The program tries to give us better tools for living and getting along with people and suggests that we improve ourselves before trying to improve others. Then to teach others by being good examples. Progress and not perfection. None of us ever reaches perfection,,, and the key is in learning how to be patient and accepting each other with our imperfections. Working together as best we can, trusting that God will do what none of us can do alone.
-- Edited by dot at 23:36, 2005-05-06
Step 12 is the longest chapter in the AA 12x12 book, and i remember posting it in our last cycle. I had to post it in 3 sections cuz I kept getting timed out. But it was sooo worth it. It wraps up all the Steps so that we can have an overview of the whole program. It describes how the active alcholic can become like a naughty child, and the spouse can fall into a dominating parent role. It also describes how a couple can get out of this codepency so that the recoverying alcoholic and the recoverying spouse can act like two mature people in a healthy relationship. I recommend reading this to everyone.
I am not going to post this all again, due to current circumstances, but hope that John does for you all.
For my 'share',,, I find that 2 stepping is very easy. It's easy for us to say that 1 we find that we are powerless and our lives are unmanageable, and 12 to give other people advice and try to run the show with our own wills. It is much harder to really work all the Steps and then try to practice them in all our affairs. The program tries to give us better tools for living and getting along with people and suggests that we improve ourselves before trying to improve others. Then to teach others by being good examples. Progress and not perfection. None of us ever reaches perfection,,, and the key is in learning how to be patient and accepting each other with our imperfections. Working together as best we can, trusting that God will do what none of us can do alone.
The program works IF we work it.
God bless you all,
love in recovery,
amanda