Step Twelve - Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to others, and to practice these principals in all our affairs. 1. Have I experienced a spiritual awakening? Describe. 2. What is the difference between carrying the message and giving advice? 3. What part has service to Al-Anon played in my recovery? 4. In what areas of my life do I need to start practicing these principals? Love you all - Dot

hi Dot ! I think I'll pick q 3 out of those . How does service help ? I guess to begin with it makes you feel more useful . But I found that unlike with normal work , helping out in 12 step groups tends to give you energy rather than take it away ! this was amazing as even in other recovery circles I could find helping out very taxing , but something about 12 step structure seems to work out on the energy level . An so many skills you can pick up too . When I first led the meeting it was sooo frightening ! Gradually your confidence builds , they help you to learn to handle all kinds of things , financial , official , and social . Handling the emotional currents in a group is usually a very difficult thing, I think many people would find it difficult to lead a group but within these particular structures somehow it's easier. Well sometimes it has been hard actually , but it's hard in a way that you get the benefits , yeah 12 step people are not perfect and they're there as non professionals , well that's the idea anyway , so some of it has been bumpy too , but it's the growth , never seen anything like it anywhere else , lol Vickyr x