Came to Believe that a Power Greater than Ourselves could Restore us to Sanity
Path to Recovery page 17
The basic spiritual principleintroduced in Step 2 suggests that there is a Power greater than we are that can provide hope and sanity whether we are living with an alcoholic or not
My Share on Step 2
When I first accepted that I was powerless and that my life was unmanageable, I immediately grabbed on to the idea that Alanon, the principles, meetings, readings, philosophy was definitely a Power greater than me.This program then became my trusted HP. It was outside of myself, had more tools and constructive ideas for spiritual growth than I have ever encountered and it believed that HP resided deep within us all. All that was required is the belief that working this program would restore me to sanity.
I saw this sanity in others so why not believe it could work for me? I will just add that like many my idea of God has changed since I first entered these room. I do like the reading in the C2C that states: First I came (to meetings) then I came to (I became aware and out of denial and pretend) then I was able to believe.
At one point in my journey the pain of this disease was so great that I cried out on my knees If you exist!!! Take this pain away" I fell asleep and when I awoke the pain was gone. I searched my being for all the HOT Spots and although the memories of the incidents remained the pain was gone. I do believe it was then that I had surrendered and my HP (that I now call GOD) was able to remove the anger, resentment, self-pity and irrational fear. That was when I truly came to believe and held on to a HP that I did not understand with such gratitude and peace.
I have grown up since entering alanon and now believe that the world does not revolve around me. That my Higher Power will grant me Serenity, Courage and Wisdom to live my life for Spiritual growth. And in the 11 Step prayer.
I am truly grateful to this program I thank God for alanon and alanon for God.
Thanks for letting me share.
Betty
Step 2 QUESTIONS
What is my concept of a Higher Power at this time?
What would it take to allow my concept of HP to change?
Do I sense spiritual guidance in my life now?
How do I describe the HP I found in alanon?
What does faith mean to me?
What does came to believe mean to me?
What does sanity me to me?
-- Edited by hotrod on Sunday 21st of April 2013 02:01:49 PM
-- Edited by hotrod on Tuesday 23rd of April 2013 03:04:22 AM
hotrod said
Apr 23, 2013
Thank you Lyne and David
I appreciate you honest and soul searching shares it is so true without HP and help from alanon members, I too floundered for years trying to fix myself with myself Never realized how insane that was and that I could not fix myself with the tools that were broken.
Thank God for alanon and thank Alanon for God.
Glad you are both here.
-- Edited by hotrod on Wednesday 24th of April 2013 12:54:58 PM
Lyne said
Apr 23, 2013
Hi Betty-I have tried to "fix" myself for many years without help. It didn't and can't work. It's been a roller coaster of a good day or two or week or month, but then down I came, over and over again. I feel committed to allow help from alanon. There is a force in recovery which I somehow think is connected to God. Between you folks and HP, I will overcome the pain, anguish, and disgust I feel. I will go over the questions with my sponsor. I just am grateful for all of you who answer my posts and cheer me on. Thank you, Lyne
DavidG said
Apr 23, 2013
Thanks for your share Betty... for your inspiration. I suffered with pain for 40 years. I was migraine, but it started as stomach pain when I was a kid. It is slowly leaving me now- along with all of the memory/power and tensions that came with it.
Was a time when my sharings were all over the place. Having online support has given an out-rigger to my canoe. Our local Alanon group went through a crisis when I rocked the boat- wanting what we really needed- a conscience and a business meeting.
Thankfully now I have learned to keep our group business inside of the group- and just mostly work with myself... to take care of my corner! This is great- but I am not longer an invisible member of the family. I know I can put my hand up, and also I can put my hand out for support.
And of course I can draw on great wisdom and knowledge.
It is great to be a part of the world of big people- big in heart and soul. And i know I can share a bond of trust with people in many parts of the world.
Ten days ago I sat on the edge of my water race [ditch] with my shovel. And I made a special call out to my higher power. [It was my lunch hour.] And I did get a response. I am now working through what I have been given... putting certain parts of my life in order... but now I have guidance onto where to go- instead of just pepper-potting.
I know I had to go through the storm which created the pain. I had to face stuff I found impossible when I was a kid. But I had the strength to do this- the company and support.
All I have to do is ask the right question, and choose the right time. I am guided by our Higher Power.
Thanks Betty, and y'all...
DavidG.
hotrod said
Apr 24, 2013
Dear Milkwood,
Thank you for your participation and clarity. I do understand what you have experienced when writing out the answers. I too was going to answer in one way , then paused and realized the "truth"
As far as my part in working on being restored to sanity, I do think my part is to continue working this program. Attending meetings, working the Steps, using the Slogans, calling my sponsor
Then I can trust HP to lift my defects and leave me with courage, serenity and wisdom
Thanks for being here
-- Edited by hotrod on Wednesday 24th of April 2013 12:56:03 PM
Milkwood said
Apr 24, 2013
My Higher Power is a balance, a natural order of things, a serendipity. I am ok with calling it God, in the sense that it is a power much greater than anything, but for me this is an ageless force that is as much about the rocks and the rivers of earth itself as it is about the people that name it. I think that I am becoming more aware of the nature of prayer, how similar it is to thoughtful meditation, and that a church is another place of peace to feel connected. Do I sense spiritual guidance in my life now? I sense spirituality and that fills me with calm when I pause for thought about it. And yes, in stopping to listen as I type this, I do get a sense of guidance - even though my first response, before I paused for thought, was to say that I did not. That is something to think about, thank you At the moment the HP that I am finding in alanon is loving support without expectation or judgement. It is an incredible force. I have also found the power of self recognition and a sense of benign energy within alanon. Faith, something that I forget all too often, is my faith in a positive answer when I ask 'why wouldn't things work out right?' It is linked to my love of nature and nature's power of survival and balance - if a branch veers to far to the left it will start to grow more on the right. It does not need to be organised in a straight line to reach sunlight, and with a few curves and dinks it probably gets to places it would not reach if it took a more direct route. I think that I sometimes get 'came to believe' muddled up with knowledge. I imagine that one day I will 'know' which I can see is not really the point. I immediately think 'came to believe what?' In a power? Yes, I do. Greater than me? Yes. That can restore me to sanity? Ha! I think that I can see guidance but I struggle to let go of the idea that I have some part to play, not in an important way as such, but somehow I can't quite let go of the idea that I have some level of responsibility in finding my sanity. I'm not sure that this makes sense even to me, since I have also seen how fortunate I've been in the past through serendipity and chance. For me sanity is a quiet mind, aware of the world and slightly in awe. Certainly appreciative. Thank you.
Lyne said
May 12, 2013
My HP is God, with whom I speak to every morning. I don't think my concept of HP can change due to a spiritual experience I had about 20 yrs ago. It changed my life. I absolutely sense spiritual guidance in my life. Sometimes I ask God a question and an answer comes to me. Other times I just get a message internally-it's not that I hear someone talking to me, it's just that I get a message. I know this sounds crazy! Faith to me is believing in something or someone without actual concrete proof. Came to believe means that I didn't have the belief before, but now I do. Sanity means being at peace, which I haven't had much of lately, but believe I can have it again. Lyne
hotrod said
May 12, 2013
Dear Lynn
Thank you for you honest inspiring share. I too sense guidance from my HP and am so glad when I act on it. Early in program I was hesitant however by acting on this guidance, "I came to belive "even stronger
Keep on showing up and working the Steps.
You are worth it.
KayCee said
May 13, 2013
Hi Everyone. I am just now comming to believe "that a power greater than myself can, and.will restore me to sanity!" For some many years I functioned on the concept of ME, Me, Me! Now I realize just how much I need my higher power. Its a daily chore just reminding myself that Im not alone.....Life is pretty good right now. My God is carring me right along...And Im right where I need to be. Thanks, everyone. God bless!
hotrod said
May 13, 2013
Thank You Donna
It is a fantastic feeling once we finally feel that connection and believe!!!!
Alanon 12 Steps and 12 Traditions
page 1
IN ALANON WE BELIEVE LIFE IS FOR GROWTH-
Physical, Emotional and Spiritual
STEP 2
Came to Believe that a Power Greater than Ourselves could Restore us to Sanity
Path to Recovery page 17
The basic spiritual principle introduced in Step 2 suggests that there is a Power greater than we are that can provide hope and sanity whether we are living with an alcoholic or not
My Share on Step 2
When I first accepted that I was powerless and that my life was unmanageable, I immediately grabbed on to the idea that Alanon, the principles, meetings, readings, philosophy was definitely a Power greater than me. This program then became my trusted HP. It was outside of myself, had more tools and constructive ideas for spiritual growth than I have ever encountered and it believed that HP resided deep within us all. All that was required is the belief that working this program would restore me to sanity.
I saw this sanity in others so why not believe it could work for me? I will just add that like many my idea of God has changed since I first entered these room. I do like the reading in the C2C that states: First I came (to meetings) then I came to (I became aware and out of denial and pretend) then I was able to believe.
At one point in my journey the pain of this disease was so great that I cried out on my knees If you exist!!! Take this pain away" I fell asleep and when I awoke the pain was gone. I searched my being for all the HOT Spots and although the memories of the incidents remained the pain was gone. I do believe it was then that I had surrendered and my HP (that I now call GOD) was able to remove the anger, resentment, self-pity and irrational fear. That was when I truly came to believe and held on to a HP that I did not understand with such gratitude and peace.
I have grown up since entering alanon and now believe that the world does not revolve around me. That my Higher Power will grant me Serenity, Courage and Wisdom to live my life for Spiritual growth. And in the 11 Step prayer.
I am truly grateful to this program I thank God for alanon and alanon for God.
Thanks for letting me share.
Betty
Step 2 QUESTIONS
What is my concept of a Higher Power at this time?
What would it take to allow my concept of HP to change?
Do I sense spiritual guidance in my life now?
How do I describe the HP I found in alanon?
What does faith mean to me?
What does came to believe mean to me?
What does sanity me to me?
-- Edited by hotrod on Sunday 21st of April 2013 02:01:49 PM
-- Edited by hotrod on Tuesday 23rd of April 2013 03:04:22 AM
Thank you Lyne and David
I appreciate you honest and soul searching shares it is so true without HP and help from alanon members, I too floundered for years trying to fix myself with myself
Never realized how insane that was and that I could not fix myself with the tools that were broken.
Thank God for alanon and thank Alanon for God.
Glad you are both here.
-- Edited by hotrod on Wednesday 24th of April 2013 12:54:58 PM
Thanks for your share Betty...
for your inspiration. I suffered with pain for 40 years. I was migraine, but it started as stomach pain when I was a kid. It is slowly leaving me now- along with all of the memory/power and tensions that came with it.
Was a time when my sharings were all over the place. Having online support has given an out-rigger to my canoe. Our local Alanon group went through a crisis when I rocked the boat- wanting what we really needed- a conscience and a business meeting.
Thankfully now I have learned to keep our group business inside of the group- and just mostly work with myself... to take care of my corner!
This is great- but I am not longer an invisible member of the family. I know I can put my hand up, and also I can put my hand out for support.
And of course I can draw on great wisdom and knowledge.
It is great to be a part of the world of big people- big in heart and soul. And i know I can share a bond of trust with people in many parts of the world.
Ten days ago I sat on the edge of my water race [ditch] with my shovel. And I made a special call out to my higher power. [It was my lunch hour.] And I did get a response. I am now working through what I have been given... putting certain parts of my life in order... but now I have guidance onto where to go- instead of just pepper-potting.
I know I had to go through the storm which created the pain. I had to face stuff I found impossible when I was a kid. But I had the strength to do this- the company and support.
All I have to do is ask the right question, and choose the right time. I am guided by our Higher Power.
Thanks Betty, and y'all...
DavidG.
Dear Milkwood,
Thank you for your participation and clarity. I do understand what you have experienced when writing out the answers. I too was going to answer in one way , then paused and realized the "truth"
As far as my part in working on being restored to sanity, I do think my part is to continue working this program. Attending meetings, working the Steps, using the Slogans, calling my sponsor
Then I can trust HP to lift my defects and leave me with courage, serenity and wisdom
Thanks for being here
-- Edited by hotrod on Wednesday 24th of April 2013 12:56:03 PM
I think that I am becoming more aware of the nature of prayer, how similar it is to thoughtful meditation, and that a church is another place of peace to feel connected.
Do I sense spiritual guidance in my life now? I sense spirituality and that fills me with calm when I pause for thought about it. And yes, in stopping to listen as I type this, I do get a sense of guidance - even though my first response, before I paused for thought, was to say that I did not. That is something to think about, thank you
At the moment the HP that I am finding in alanon is loving support without expectation or judgement. It is an incredible force. I have also found the power of self recognition and a sense of benign energy within alanon.
Faith, something that I forget all too often, is my faith in a positive answer when I ask 'why wouldn't things work out right?' It is linked to my love of nature and nature's power of survival and balance - if a branch veers to far to the left it will start to grow more on the right. It does not need to be organised in a straight line to reach sunlight, and with a few curves and dinks it probably gets to places it would not reach if it took a more direct route.
I think that I sometimes get 'came to believe' muddled up with knowledge. I imagine that one day I will 'know' which I can see is not really the point. I immediately think 'came to believe what?' In a power? Yes, I do. Greater than me? Yes. That can restore me to sanity? Ha! I think that I can see guidance but I struggle to let go of the idea that I have some part to play, not in an important way as such, but somehow I can't quite let go of the idea that I have some level of responsibility in finding my sanity. I'm not sure that this makes sense even to me, since I have also seen how fortunate I've been in the past through serendipity and chance.
For me sanity is a quiet mind, aware of the world and slightly in awe. Certainly appreciative. Thank you.
Dear Lynn
Thank you for you honest inspiring share. I too sense guidance from my HP and am so glad when I act on it. Early in program I was hesitant however by acting on this guidance, "I came to belive "even stronger
Keep on showing up and working the Steps.
You are worth it.
Me! Now I realize just how much I need my higher power. Its a daily chore just reminding myself that Im not alone.....Life is pretty good right now. My God is carring me right along...And Im right where I need to be. Thanks, everyone. God bless!
Thank You Donna
It is a fantastic feeling once we finally feel that connection and believe!!!!
Glad you are here.