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 affars.
From: Al-Anon Works pg. 64 (copyright 1995, by Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc. Limited use by express written permission of Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.)
It is important to remember that the message we carry is the result of working all the Steps and applying them to every aspect of our lives. When we first came to Al-Anon, many of us wanted to carry the message to others before even taking the First Step ourselves. Others used this part of the Twelfth Step to justify their efforts to push the alcoholic into a treatment program. But in time, as we work the Steps, we realize that we cannot carry a message we have not learned for ourselves. In the meantime, we carry our message of experience, strength and hope everytime we share in an Al-Anon meeting, make or accept a program telephone call, or perform service for our group. Each of us has a great deal to offer to others, and that will only grow as we grow.
Love and hugs - Dot
-- Edited by dot at 16:36, 2006-10-22
dot said
Oct 22, 2006
Hi all,
For me, living the Al-Anon program is my spiritual life. I don't have a religion but Al-Anon has taught me that I do have a Higher Power to whom I can go to for help The Twelve steps have taught me that it's ok not to know what/who that Higher Power is, only to know that I have one.
At first I waited for an awakening that would change me and make me a different person and I struggled trying to reconcile the religious context. My sponsor helped me let that go and kept me working the Steps in my daily life.
As I continue to grow I learn that I am ok just as I am - where I am today. Each day as I share my experience, strength and hope with others, I learn more trust in my Higher Power and realize that as long as I get out of the way and let my Higer Power take care of me my life continues to get better.
Love in Recovery - Dot
-- Edited by dot at 17:18, 2006-10-22
Christine said
Oct 23, 2006
dot wrote:Hi all, For me, living the Al-Anon program is my spiritual life. I don't have a religion but Al-Anon has taught me that I do have a Higher Power to whom I can go to for help The Twelve steps have taught me that it's ok not to know what/who that Higher Power is, only to know that I have one. At first I waited for an awakening that would change me and make me a different person and I struggled trying to reconcile the religious context. My sponsor helped me let that go and kept me working the Steps in my daily life. As I continue to grow I learn that I am ok just as I am - where I am today. Each day as I share my experience, strength and hope with others, I learn more trust in my Higher Power and realize that as long as I get out of the way and let my Higer Power take care of me my life continues to get better. Love in Recovery - Dot
-- Edited by dot at 17:18, 2006-10-22
Beautiful Post, Dot!
thank you
christine
Theresa said
Oct 27, 2006
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.
I am new to the rooms in 05' and have not reached the 12 step but would like to share what iI do know so far. The spiritual work of the 12 steps I've realized has been a missing link on the foundation of faith that I have been building for years. I have always felt somewhat of a distance from my higher power no matter what I did. Awakening to the fact that it is not a matter of doing anything. Working these steps if filling the whole that is there. The missing piece is the literature, the new family in the 12 step rooms etc.. Just knowing how to love myself and not having to look for love in people, things or food is freeing and pretty scary. Working on the scary part of that with my higher power. Having total trust in him ALWAYS is the key to my recovery.
I had an opportunity to chair a meeting in August which freaked the heck out of me, worrying that my weaknesses were going to shine through and everyone in the room would realize that I am not so great.......lol This is a challenge for me. But I survived. My higher power brought me through it.
I Love this whole process and am understanding it more and more everyday. I am a hair stylist and meet a lot of people every day. Its amazing how I can recognize a person that may need the program and the readiness for me to gently share that with them is a blessing and recognizing that my higher power does the rest of the work from that point on.
Thanks for your share and being here to listen to me too.
ack said
Oct 28, 2006
Theresa wrote: I have always felt somewhat of a distance from my higher power no matter what I did.
I can relate to this. I used to feel like an ant in an anthill, with someone looking down at it. I kind of figured there was a God but it was about as related to me as me looking at ants.
I had an opportunity to chair a meeting in August which freaked the heck out of me, worrying that my weaknesses were going to shine through and everyone in the room would realize that I am not so great.......lol This is a challenge for me. But I survived. My higher power brought me through it.
!
Love this whole process and am understanding it more and more everyday. I am a hair stylist and meet a lot of people every day. Its amazing how I can recognize a person that may need the program and the readiness for me to gently share that with them is a blessing and recognizing that my higher power does the rest of the work from that point on.
Very beautiful and powerful, thank you for sharing. laurel
-- Edited by dot at 16:36, 2006-10-22
-- Edited by dot at 17:18, 2006-10-22
Beautiful Post, Dot!
thank you
christine
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.
I am new to the rooms in 05' and have not reached the 12 step but would like to share what iI do know so far. The spiritual work of the 12 steps I've realized has been a missing link on the foundation of faith that I have been building for years. I have always felt somewhat of a distance from my higher power no matter what I did. Awakening to the fact that it is not a matter of doing anything. Working these steps if filling the whole that is there. The missing piece is the literature, the new family in the 12 step rooms etc.. Just knowing how to love myself and not having to look for love in people, things or food is freeing and pretty scary. Working on the scary part of that with my higher power. Having total trust in him ALWAYS is the key to my recovery.
I had an opportunity to chair a meeting in August which freaked the heck out of me, worrying that my weaknesses were going to shine through and everyone in the room would realize that I am not so great.......lol This is a challenge for me. But I survived. My higher power brought me through it.
I Love this whole process and am understanding it more and more everyday. I am a hair stylist and meet a lot of people every day. Its amazing how I can recognize a person that may need the program and the readiness for me to gently share that with them is a blessing and recognizing that my higher power does the rest of the work from that point on.
Thanks for your share and being here to listen to me too.
I can relate to this. I used to feel like an ant in an anthill, with someone looking down at it. I kind of figured there was a God but it was about as related to me as me looking at ants.
Very beautiful and powerful, thank you for sharing.
laurel