Step Two - Came yo believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
From - Paths To Recovery - pg. 18-19 (copyright 1997, by Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc. Limited use by express written permission of Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.
Acceptance of Step Two is paramount to working the rest of the Al-Anon Steps. Tripping over step Twp and skipping to other Steps indicates a lack of acceptance of Step One. Many members have difficulty in beginning to work the Steps for their personal recovery. Attendance at meetings is only a start: we need the guidance of a sponsor in addition to our group. The wisdom of members who have worked these steps before us is essetial to understanding fully the spiritual answers and guidance we are about to experience. Trusting our group and trusting a sponsor are only stepping stones to accepting a Power greater than ourselves.
What are your thoughts on Step Two? What you share here may be just the words that someone else needs to hear.
Love you all - Dot
dot said
Jun 4, 2006
Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
When I came to Al-Anon I wasn't looking for a Hight Power so this Step was a stumbling block for me. At first I read it that a Power greater than me WOULD restore me to sanity. Not so - COULD is the important word here. It meant I had a choice: I could stay miserable or I could work on this concept.
I started by trying what I heard at meetings - actions that had worked for others. I started by asking the group for help - by making a phone call each day just to ask for that help. I began to trust the group and soon found a sponsor - someone who didn't let me blame the a for my bad day but helped me learn to take responsibility and make my day the best that I could at that time. Somtimes all it meant was getting busy with anything I could do - dishes, floors or something I enjoyed doing.
Today I ask for another day of serenity in the morning and say thank you at night. My Higher Power is sometimes still the group and sometimes Good Orderly Direction. I don't know what my Higher Power is but that's okay - I only need to know that I have one - that there is a Power greater than I that is restoring me to sanity one day at a time.
Love and hugs - Dot
-- Edited by dot at 19:35, 2006-06-04
barbara said
Jun 7, 2006
thank you Dot
karilynn said
Jun 18, 2006
Like you Dot I wasn't looking for a HP to restore me to sanity. I was looking for anything or anyone to restore me to sanity. Part of my other struggle is that I lean towards the agnostic side as my degree is in anthroplogy. How to balance the idea between evolution and or creationism? Hmmmmmmmmm..... topic not for here. But I've always had a spiritual side of me, just wasn't sure of how to tap into it.
However, after coming here, I realized that a High Power can be anything or anyone I choose. "Could restore us to sanity." Emphasis on the word COULD. I knew that I couldn't restore myself to sanity! So the next logical step is an HP be it a tree, cat, God, Bhudda, or whatever I choose. But the word could to me also means, that if I don't work my program, I'm going to loose what little sanity I have! I have to work my program and my steps. Because if I turn my life over to my HP I know that in the worst times, he will carry me. But not all the time. I have to do the leg work. I do wonder what is HP's plan for me. I could use a little hint.
The more I am in Alanon, and the more I attend meetings both Alanon and AA with my hubby the more I have come to believe in a HP. It also helps the fact that my father-in-law is a pastor. When I listen to other addicts and their struggles and see how much sobriety they have I believe that miracles can happen. When I realize that my hubby should have died this time, and so many people are praying for him and us, I believe that there is an HP. When I come here, and hear the messages of hope and see how so many people are leading long, productive, healthy lives, regardless if their A is active or not, I do believe in an HP. So when I get out of step, I come back to my program and here, and my belief is restored. A year ago, I never would have thought that was possible.
-- Edited by dot at 19:35, 2006-06-04
Like you Dot I wasn't looking for a HP to restore me to sanity. I was looking for anything or anyone to restore me to sanity. Part of my other struggle is that I lean towards the agnostic side as my degree is in anthroplogy. How to balance the idea between evolution and or creationism? Hmmmmmmmmm..... topic not for here. But I've always had a spiritual side of me, just wasn't sure of how to tap into it.
However, after coming here, I realized that a High Power can be anything or anyone I choose. "Could restore us to sanity." Emphasis on the word COULD. I knew that I couldn't restore myself to sanity! So the next logical step is an HP be it a tree, cat, God, Bhudda, or whatever I choose. But the word could to me also means, that if I don't work my program, I'm going to loose what little sanity I have!
I have to work my program and my steps. Because if I turn my life over to my HP I know that in the worst times, he will carry me. But not all the time. I have to do the leg work. I do wonder what is HP's plan for me. I could use a little hint.
The more I am in Alanon, and the more I attend meetings both Alanon and AA with my hubby the more I have come to believe in a HP. It also helps the fact that my father-in-law is a pastor. When I listen to other addicts and their struggles and see how much sobriety they have I believe that miracles can happen. When I realize that my hubby should have died this time, and so many people are praying for him and us, I believe that there is an HP. When I come here, and hear the messages of hope and see how so many people are leading long, productive, healthy lives, regardless if their A is active or not, I do believe in an HP. So when I get out of step, I come back to my program and here, and my belief is restored. A year ago, I never would have thought that was possible.
Love and blessings to all.
Live strong,
Karilynn