Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
Paths to Recovery. It can be said that the entire Al-Anon program is summed up in step 12. We acknowledge the results of our efforts, a spiritual awakening, and commit ourselves to sharing the gifts we have received, and recognize that living a spiritual life is an ongoing process as we have found a new way of life in Al-Anon. To keep what we have found we have to continue appreciating the gift and giving it away.
The three parts of step 12 raise the following questions; what is a spiritual awakening? How can we try to carry the message? What are these principles that we practiced in all our affairs?
My Share
The last part of the step asks that we practice these principles in all our affairs. I had a sponsee who once was furious because she searched through all the Al-Anon literature and could not find a list of the principles. We spent several hours discussing this particular topic and came up with; there is a higher power and we are not that power. In fact we are powerless over people places and things, that we need to live by keeping the focus on ourselves, not blame and judging or criticizing others, examining our motives and owning our part in any situation. Life is a process and is for of living and learning.
When I first entered the rooms of alanon and heard the Steps read at each Meeting, I really felt inspired and hopeful . The 12th Step stated "Having Had a Spiritual Awakening as a result of These Steps." I felt that thist was a promise and that I had been in the spiritual coma for many years. I needed a spiritual awakening and so I began the task of working the steps with a sponsor. All my life I was looking for guidelines that I could use in order to learn a new constructive ways to respond to life and grow as a person. These Steps promised me that. It said that I would experience something I did not currently have nor understand how to obtain.
My spiritual quote, did lift as a result of these steps and I did achieve the promise of A Spiritual Awakening as suggested. The steps up to the 12 not easy but they certainly are rewarding and I know that I have gained access to a deep part of myself that I had never reached before. I now trust my instincts and my intuition and feel deep the safe and serene.
Thank you Al-Anon Carrying the message to others and practicing these principles in all my affairs was equally impressive. I decided to carry the message by attending one meeting a day. Attending, sharing, holding office I was carrying the message Practicing these principles took a little time I needed to determine exactly what were the principles I could live by and then feel comfortable enough to use them as part of whom I was. The steps that preceded this one helped me to define my principles and gave me the courage to let go of my destructive actions and trust HP to guide me. Thanks to the God of my understanding and this program I will never again be so lost in a spiritual wasteland. I have the tools and the fellowship to walk with courage, serenity and dignity.
Step 12 questions
Have I experienced a spiritual awakening?
If so, please describe
What have I received from Al-Anon that I would most like to share?
What are the different ways I can carry the message to others?
Did I see a friendly face. Early in my recovery? What can I do to be a friendly face someone else?
How can I best carry the message to my family members, especially those in resist the ideas?
How can I practice these principles in all my affairs, my job in my family life?
One of the principles that I will practice in all my affairs?
How can I apply them in my daily life?
In what areas of my life does I need to start practicing these principles?
However my living the message of the program?
How my good example of Al-Anon recovery?
Kim C said
Feb 2, 2017
Have I experienced a spiritual awakening?
While my spiritual life was pretty good to begin with, I have definitely experienced a closer relationship with God and a new level of dependence on Him.
What have I received from Al-Anon that I would most like to share?
Being relieved of the obsession to control that alcoholic!
What are the different ways I can carry the message to others?
I am finding that through direct contact with the spouses and families of people I meet in open AA meetings, I can share my ESH.
Did I see a friendly face early in my recovery? What can I do to be a friendly face to someone else?
Again, because I do not have a functioning f2f group, I make every attempt to be friendly and welcoming to family and friends who come to open AA meetings.
How can I best carry the message to my family members, especially those in resistance to the idea?
The best way I have found is to live the program in my day to day life. As they see the differences, they come to me and ask what I'm doing differently.
How can I practice these principles in all my affairs? Apply them to my daily life?
I can remember to take one day at a time. I can remind myself daily that I am not in control. I can surrender myself to God's will each morning and look for the next right thing.
In what areas of my life do I need to start practicing these principles?
I am not grateful often enough. I can still slip into the martyr role easily and need to recognize when I am feeling mistreated somehow and see my part in it.
How am I living the message of the program? How am I a good example of recovery?
I live the message of the program by being easier to get along with in general. I am more encouraging, less controlling, and ready to help another Al-Anon whenever I am called on. I love the saying I have seen here many time "Say what you mean, mean what you say, don't say it mean." I find myself checking what I say against that standard often.
Thanks for the journey, Betty!!! I look forward to working the steps with you again as I learn and grow!
hotrod said
Feb 3, 2017
Dear Kim Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and experience with this important Step.Your Spiritual awareness and recovery are remarkable. Will begin another go around in March.
DavidG said
Feb 7, 2017
Thanks Betty, and Kim...
I have bin round the steps a few times now... but last year I came up with a glitch in Step 12.
I was still waiting for the spiritual awakening. Sometimes I still miss the obvious things- and this time it was the first two words in Step 12.
"Having had...". So the steps themselves are a spiritual experience... coming to meetings is too!
A friend in recovery helped me over this hurdle... ...
hotrod said
Feb 8, 2017
Hi David, When I first entered the program and read the steps I decided to do the hard work the steps required because the 12 th Step promised a "spiritual awakening as the results of working the steps". I truly believe I was in a coma,prior to program and I'm so glad that I have been awakened. I know that I came to the meetings,then I came to-- that was part of my awaking
So glad you shared.
hotrod said
Feb 11, 2017
Hello Freetime Thank you for sharing your thought on this powerful Step. The program is indeed a powerful gift to lving a full nd constructive life. Thanks for sharing the journey.
hotrod said
Feb 12, 2017
donzia said
Mar 7, 2017
How do I carry the message, do Gods will, without enabling, being used, hurt. I do not want to be a martyr. How do I be of service to everyone in my daily life. This is difficult for me right now because I thought I was doing Gods will by being there for my ex-boyfriend during deaths, funerals because he is a gospel singer and found out he was just using me and that he is a narcissist. Now I don't care to be there for anyone or carry the message or service work. I do not trust anymore, my trust has been lost because of what I went through. I do not get to meetings, which are half hour to hour away and there are not many mtgs. to choose from. So I feel really isolated and I know I need Alanon more than ever. I am on step 12 and I have a sponsor and read the Forum.
hotrod said
Mar 8, 2017
Hello Carol hugs I am sorry you are in pain. To answer your question. please return to meetings talk to your sponsor , begin to work the Steps from the beginning especially 4 through 7 and then when you reach Step 12, you will have re-absorbed the basic spiritual principles and will be able to practice them in all your interactions.
Step 12
Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
Paths to Recovery. It can be said that the entire Al-Anon program is summed up in step 12. We acknowledge the results of our efforts, a spiritual awakening, and commit ourselves to sharing the gifts we have received, and recognize that living a spiritual life is an ongoing process as we have found a new way of life in Al-Anon. To keep what we have found we have to continue appreciating the gift and giving it away.
The three parts of step 12 raise the following questions; what is a spiritual awakening? How can we try to carry the message? What are these principles that we practiced in all our affairs?
My Share
The last part of the step asks that we practice these principles in all our affairs. I had a sponsee who once was furious because she searched through all the Al-Anon literature and could not find a list of the principles. We spent several hours discussing this particular topic and came up with; there is a higher power and we are not that power. In fact we are powerless over people places and things, that we need to live by keeping the focus on ourselves, not blame and judging or criticizing others, examining our motives and owning our part in any situation. Life is a process and is for of living and learning.
When I first entered the rooms of alanon and heard the Steps read at each Meeting, I really felt inspired and hopeful . The 12th Step stated "Having Had a Spiritual Awakening as a result of These Steps." I felt that thist was a promise and that I had been in the spiritual coma for many years. I needed a spiritual awakening and so I began the task of working the steps with a sponsor. All my life I was looking for guidelines that I could use in order to learn a new constructive ways to respond to life and grow as a person. These Steps promised me that. It said that I would experience something I did not currently have nor understand how to obtain.
My spiritual quote, did lift as a result of these steps and I did achieve the promise of A Spiritual Awakening as suggested. The steps up to the 12 not easy but they certainly are rewarding and I know that I have gained access to a deep part of myself that I had never reached before. I now trust my instincts and my intuition and feel deep the safe and serene.
Thank you Al-Anon Carrying the message to others and practicing these principles in all my affairs was equally impressive. I decided to carry the message by attending one meeting a day. Attending, sharing, holding office I was carrying the message Practicing these principles took a little time I needed to determine exactly what were the principles I could live by and then feel comfortable enough to use them as part of whom I was. The steps that preceded this one helped me to define my principles and gave me the courage to let go of my destructive actions and trust HP to guide me. Thanks to the God of my understanding and this program I will never again be so lost in a spiritual wasteland. I have the tools and the fellowship to walk with courage, serenity and dignity.
Step 12 questions
Have I experienced a spiritual awakening?
If so, please describe
What have I received from Al-Anon that I would most like to share?
What are the different ways I can carry the message to others?
Did I see a friendly face. Early in my recovery? What can I do to be a friendly face someone else?
How can I best carry the message to my family members, especially those in resist the ideas?
How can I practice these principles in all my affairs, my job in my family life?
One of the principles that I will practice in all my affairs?
How can I apply them in my daily life?
In what areas of my life does I need to start practicing these principles?
However my living the message of the program?
How my good example of Al-Anon recovery?
Have I experienced a spiritual awakening?
While my spiritual life was pretty good to begin with, I have definitely experienced a closer relationship with God and a new level of dependence on Him.
What have I received from Al-Anon that I would most like to share?
Being relieved of the obsession to control that alcoholic!
What are the different ways I can carry the message to others?
I am finding that through direct contact with the spouses and families of people I meet in open AA meetings, I can share my ESH.
Did I see a friendly face early in my recovery? What can I do to be a friendly face to someone else?
Again, because I do not have a functioning f2f group, I make every attempt to be friendly and welcoming to family and friends who come to open AA meetings.
How can I best carry the message to my family members, especially those in resistance to the idea?
The best way I have found is to live the program in my day to day life. As they see the differences, they come to me and ask what I'm doing differently.
How can I practice these principles in all my affairs? Apply them to my daily life?
I can remember to take one day at a time. I can remind myself daily that I am not in control. I can surrender myself to God's will each morning and look for the next right thing.
In what areas of my life do I need to start practicing these principles?
I am not grateful often enough. I can still slip into the martyr role easily and need to recognize when I am feeling mistreated somehow and see my part in it.
How am I living the message of the program? How am I a good example of recovery?
I live the message of the program by being easier to get along with in general. I am more encouraging, less controlling, and ready to help another Al-Anon whenever I am called on. I love the saying I have seen here many time "Say what you mean, mean what you say, don't say it mean." I find myself checking what I say against that standard often.
Thanks for the journey, Betty!!! I look forward to working the steps with you again as I learn and grow!
Thanks Betty, and Kim...
I have bin round the steps a few times now... but last year I came up with a glitch in Step 12.
I was still waiting for the spiritual awakening. Sometimes I still miss the obvious things- and this time it was the first two words in Step 12.
"Having had...". So the steps themselves are a spiritual experience... coming to meetings is too!
A friend in recovery helped me over this hurdle...
...
Hi David, When I first entered the program and read the steps I decided to do the hard work the steps required because the 12 th Step promised a "spiritual awakening as the results of working the steps". I truly believe I was in a coma,prior to program and I'm so glad that I have been awakened. I know that I came to the meetings,then I came to-- that was part of my awaking
So glad you shared.
Hello Freetime Thank you for sharing your thought on this powerful Step. The program is indeed a powerful gift to lving a full nd constructive life. Thanks for sharing the journey.