I stayed at Step Three for several years because I couldn't seem to turn anything over for very long - consequently without believing in a Higher Power I felt I was failing. Then one night at an AA/Al-Anon discussion meeting an AA friend pointed out to me that the only thing I had to do in Step Three was make a decision - that the AA Third Step prayer might help me. I got out the AA Big book and read it. A few days later I knelt down and used the prayer to turn my will and my life over to a Higher Power that I didn't understand but was willing to trust. Until I kneel down and take my will and my life back my Higher Power has me. My job was to then go on with the Steps in the order they were written. I still try to control situations that are not my business and that's ok. And I still don't understand what or who my Higher Power is and that's ok too. When I get uncomfortable enough or hurt enough I step back and ask for help - and let my Higher Power take over. Getting past Step Three gave me back myself. Love - Dot

-- Edited by dot at 17:12, 2006-01-01

Hey Dot,

Well said. The HP idea holds many of us in a resting position on the Steps. That is OK. Like you found, it does take time. You kept open and kept coming to meetings. This is the effort required. I think we all work life at a different speed. That is life.

The Program has room for all of us. There is a way to success. We just show up with willingness and humility that our lifes must change. We agree to go to any length. We have stood at the tuning point. The first three Steps are conclusions of the mind.

I have found an easy reminder...I can't. He can. I think I'll let Him. This simple thought has helped me get through the HP thing. I found that the Program is not a religion. But, it is a Spritual one. I did not have to buy into everything at once. My sponsor told me to use his HP until I got my own...WISDOM. The truth in the third Step is a decision is made. Nothing more...just a choice. Now onto more action.

Blessings, JV. 

-- Edited by JohnV at 14:40, 2006-01-02

Hey John - Thank you for a lot of good words. I also like - I can't - He can - and I think I'll let Him. It's a quick way of putting things in perspective for me. Now I can look back and smile at thinking Step Three was so hard. Cleaning house and making amends was not easy for me as I came with a lot of guilt and shame. But it took away a heavy burden and made a happy heart possible for me. It's been quite a journey and I'm s glad it's not over. Love - Dot ((((((((JohnV))))))))

Wow, I was feeling I had alot more to do before moving to step 4 for some reason. I guess I felt I hadn't done enough journaling on step 3. This made me feel much better. This sounded like alot of the sharing I've heard on Step 6. We had to be ready to ask our HP to remove our shortcomings, we didn't actually have to give it up then, that was later. I have made this decision. So I think I'm there. I would still like to do a couple more questions out of P2R. Just something I want to do. But your post helped me feel ready to move on to step 4. 4 seems very involved, I wish we could spend more than the usual amount of time on it. LOL Bob