Having had a Spiritual Awakening as a result of These Steps, we Tried to Carry this Message to others and to Practice these Principles in all our Affairs.
Paths to Recovery page 119.
It can be said that the entire Al-Anon program is summed up in Step 12. We knowledge the results of our effortsa spiritual awakening for ourselves to sharing the gifts we have received, and recognize that living a spiritual life is an ongoing process. The three parts of step 12 raise the following questions: what is a spiritual awakening? How can we try to carry this message? What are they
My Share
In the beginning of my journey, I found that after reading step 12, I had made the decision to stick with this program and achieve the promise of the spiritual awakening. I was well aware that I was spiritually sound asleep and that no matter how much prayer or meditation I attempted, I still had not achieved a spiritual awakening. This step points out that the spiritual awakening is achieved by working the other steps, which is no easy task. After making the decision to stay with program I painstakingly began to work each step to achieve the goal.
I am so pleased that I did.
What are the principles of this program that I have attempted to live by
That there is a HP an d I am not it. That by keeping the focus on myself, minding my own business and treating everyone with courtesy, and non judgmental respect, I will find the wisdom, serenity and courage to live life on life's term. These principles work for me
Step 12 questions
Have I experienced a spiritual awakening? Describe.
In what ways do I downplay my spiritual growth? What can help me to acknowledge it?
What is the difference between carrying the message and giving advice?
How can I guess carry the message to my family members, especially those in resist the idea?
How can I practice these principles in my financial affairs? Is my job merely a means of earning money was not attributed to practice recovery?
What are the principles of Al-Anon
our my living the message of the program?
Am I a good example of Al-Anon recovery?
grateful2be said
Jan 16, 2015
Carrying the message for me is more about how well I keep my focus on myself and stay out of other people's business - most especially the business of my qualifiers. I have had many spiritual awakenings that are too numerous to describe and generally involve a new way of looking at myself and others. When I sense I am spiritually dying - symptoms of a need for change - I am willing to trust that it isn't a signal to me that I'm doing something wrong as much as it is a signal to me that my life is going to change if I agree to my HP's desire for me to be of service wherever HP leads. Although I have suggested Al-Anon to my family and to others who are also affected by the alcoholism of others, I leave them free to go or not. There have been folks who have not been interested in the program when I first suggest it and later have an experience in their own lives or the lives of their loved ones and they already know the solution - go to Alanon. It's none of my business what they do with the information I share with them about the program but I still enjoy it when a person thanks me for letting them know about the program. I also know that I've made changes sometimes because my loved ones notice it and like it and sometimes because they notice it, don't like it and move on.
hotrod said
Jan 16, 2015
. Dear Grateful 2Be Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experience with this powerful Step. I do agree that carrying this message to others works best when we walk the alanon walk and people are attracted to the program by seeing our recovery in action.
I do like to share my ESH at meetings and trust that I am practicing this Step then .
ryanhearted said
Jan 19, 2015
Thank you for these questions Betty. I have been waiting for Step one, but want to just work on the steps regardless, so I decided to just jump in. I have responded to others and figured I may as well keep going. Thank you for doing this. It is so helpful!
Have I experienced a spiritual awakening? Describe.
I have times where I feel that I am present, and when that happens, I feel as though there is a spiritual awakening in me. I can honestly say that I need to work more on these steps to feel that there is more of a spiritual awakening in me, and that I am actually present and listening/feeling that support that my HP can give to me. Whenever I take the time to read/go to meetings and be present in the Al-anon program, then I am able to stay present in my own life, if only for an hour or so, or sometimes for the rest of the day/evening.
In what ways do I downplay my spiritual growth? What can help me to acknowledge it?
Since it is hard for me to be loving to myself, and I have to work at it, that is where I downplay my spiritual growth. When I am loving and forgiving with myself, I can then allow more room for my HP to be present in me, which then can help me acknowledge it.
What is the difference between carrying the message and giving advice?
For me, carrying the message is by my actions and careful words. Being slow to respond, versus a quick reaction, helps carry the message. Taking a breath before responding is a way to carry the message. Sharing my experience versus giving suggestions on what to do, is a way to carry the message.
How can I guess carry the message to my family members, especially those in resist the idea?
By my example. Taking care of myself is the strongest way to carry the message. Being happy within my own life is a way to carry the message.
hotrod said
Jan 19, 2015
Nice work Ryanhearted Thank you sharing your thoughts and recovery. Having a Spiritual Expereince s a powerful gift and I am so pleased that you are allowing this gift to grow within you.
Betty
Step 12
Having had a Spiritual Awakening as a result of These Steps, we Tried to Carry this Message to others and to Practice these Principles in all our Affairs.
Paths to Recovery page 119.
It can be said that the entire Al-Anon program is summed up in Step 12. We knowledge the results of our effortsa spiritual awakening for ourselves to sharing the gifts we have received, and recognize that living a spiritual life is an ongoing process. The three parts of step 12 raise the following questions: what is a spiritual awakening? How can we try to carry this message? What are they
My Share
In the beginning of my journey, I found that after reading step 12, I had made the decision to stick with this program and achieve the promise of the spiritual awakening. I was well aware that I was spiritually sound asleep and that no matter how much prayer or meditation I attempted, I still had not achieved a spiritual awakening. This step points out that the spiritual awakening is achieved by working the other steps, which is no easy task. After making the decision to stay with program I painstakingly began to work each step to achieve the goal.
I am so pleased that I did.
What are the principles of this program that I have attempted to live by
That there is a HP an d I am not it. That by keeping the focus on myself, minding my own business and treating everyone with courtesy, and non judgmental respect, I will find the wisdom, serenity and courage to live life on life's term. These principles work for me
Step 12 questions
Have I experienced a spiritual awakening? Describe.
In what ways do I downplay my spiritual growth? What can help me to acknowledge it?
What is the difference between carrying the message and giving advice?
How can I guess carry the message to my family members, especially those in resist the idea?
How can I practice these principles in my financial affairs? Is my job merely a means of earning money was not attributed to practice recovery?
What are the principles of Al-Anon
our my living the message of the program?
Am I a good example of Al-Anon recovery?
I do like to share my ESH at meetings and trust that I am practicing this Step then .
Thank you for these questions Betty. I have been waiting for Step one, but want to just work on the steps regardless, so I decided to just jump in. I have responded to others and figured I may as well keep going. Thank you for doing this. It is so helpful!
Have I experienced a spiritual awakening? Describe.
I have times where I feel that I am present, and when that happens, I feel as though there is a spiritual awakening in me. I can honestly say that I need to work more on these steps to feel that there is more of a spiritual awakening in me, and that I am actually present and listening/feeling that support that my HP can give to me. Whenever I take the time to read/go to meetings and be present in the Al-anon program, then I am able to stay present in my own life, if only for an hour or so, or sometimes for the rest of the day/evening.
In what ways do I downplay my spiritual growth? What can help me to acknowledge it?
Since it is hard for me to be loving to myself, and I have to work at it, that is where I downplay my spiritual growth. When I am loving and forgiving with myself, I can then allow more room for my HP to be present in me, which then can help me acknowledge it.
What is the difference between carrying the message and giving advice?
For me, carrying the message is by my actions and careful words. Being slow to respond, versus a quick reaction, helps carry the message. Taking a breath before responding is a way to carry the message. Sharing my experience versus giving suggestions on what to do, is a way to carry the message.
How can I guess carry the message to my family members, especially those in resist the idea?
By my example. Taking care of myself is the strongest way to carry the message. Being happy within my own life is a way to carry the message.
Betty