Step Two - Came to believe that a Power greater tham ourselves could restore us to sanity. From: How Al-Anon Works pg. 48 (copyright 1995, by al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc. Limited use by express written permision of Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.) In Step Two, what has been impossible on our own becomes possible because we have placed ourselves in the presence of something that surpasses our individual human capacity. Just by attending a meeting or opening up to a sponsor or seeking solace in Al-Anon literature, we have reached out for the help of a power greater than ourselves and have tapped into the collective wisdom of our fellowship. In time, we come to believe that only a Power greater than ourselves has the power to restore us to sanity. To take Step Two. we don't have to believe that this will happen, only that it could. Step Two is about possibility, and that is why it is about hope. Love - Dot

I haven't been thinking about that word 'could' until now.  I have all these worries about being restored to sanity but knowing that I just need to focus on the possibility helps.  Now I don't feel as much pressure to just 'turn it over to God' all at once.  I can deal with believing my HP can restore me to sanity.  This does give me hope.

Angelina

In speaking with a friend last night I related something which your post reminded me of. One morning when I really could take it, when I prayed I said to my HP.....Here is my A.....here is all of it. I can not carry the burden anymore. Here is all of it. God, take what you like and leave the rest. Kinda a joke between me and God. At that point I was willing to give it all up to him. Instead of asking him to take it all....I only asked him to take what he liked. It was my way of asking for help, but asking for it on his terms. He didn't take it all and that's ok. He took what he knew I needed taking. The rest I guess is part of his dvine plan. I need to work through that and be truly ready in my heart to give it up. Bob

I have a genuine faith (christian) and have a real sense of my HP's presence - except when I am pulled into my family's 'stuff' (and my own I suppose ) Then I lose all sense of my HP and find it difficult to pray, to turn it over, to feel anything except completely responsible - for all of it! I know its crazy and rationally I can say of course I can't do it all, but I still expect too. I know that my HP can and will, and does restore me to sanity, but how do I act on it? Because I drive myself crazy!

I'm completely new to the 12 steps, so please point out if I'm going wrong - I think we're on step 2?

FrancesB

hi, welcome to the 12 Steps. Thanks for your share. Are you going to face2face meetings? Reading the literature?  No one does the Steps perfectly. We do the best we can. The first attempt at Step 2 we are 'coming to believe'. I am still coming to believe after 15 years, and my understanding of God, and my relationship with God keeps changing as I learn more, and keeps growing and deepening.

Perhaps we need to deepen our faith here in Step 2 before we can go on and really do Step 3, which is the 'turning it over' Step. Do we really believe that there is a Power greater than ourselves who can restore us to sanity? Or are we just giving that lip service without really believing it enough to stand on that?

I'll put up the AA and ACA Step 2 tomorrow.

love in recovery,

amanda

I borrowed P2R but returned it to my step meeting yesterday. In reading about step 2 one of the things that struck me was it made sure to speak about it not being a religion. I do have a HP, that I refer to as God, but the book referred to other HP's as well. One example was coming to Al-Anon. Finding that the collective ES&H of the group, means that this group was a higher power. Maybe not the highest, but a higher one. I guess one of the reason's I might have had problems with this pre-alanon wasn't just my lack of spirtuaility. It was the fixer and martyrdom aspects of my personality that I either had or had devloped. These things made it very difficult for me to be humble enough. Humble enough to admit that there was a power greater than myself. Even harder and more humble, to come to the realization that my HP and these other highter powers, would not only aid my recovery but would be the bedrock of my recovery. I could not get better on my own, I needed help. It's hard for me to ask for help and even harder to accept it. I truly believe now that I can't do it alone. My HP can't either. It has to be a team effort. I need to want the help, I need to ask for it when needed, like undconditional love, I need to be ready to accept it as well. I've tried to lead a just life when it comes to the treatment of others. I'm not perfect. I'm thankful that my HP is one of mercy and love. One of whom that now that I've accepted him, and even others in my life, is there for me, when I watch and listen, I do receive guidance and help. Bob

Hi Frances - Before I could expect to regain some sanity in Step Two I had to accept my powerlessness in the First Step. That wasn't easy but with TIME and getting tired of being pulled into others problems I began to step back and re-think my role. Was I contbuting to the problem or could I maybe be part of the solution if I stopped re-acting? Just my thoughts - Keep coming back. Love and hugs - Dot