Stepwork

Learn how the 12 Steps work. Participate in your own recovery as well as the recovery of others, by being active on this board as we go through the 12 Steps of recovery together! We discuss each of the Twelve Steps In the order they are written, one step at a time, every two weeks.

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
 
Miracles In Progress 12 Step Recovery Forums -> Step Work -> Step Work -> Step Two Al-Anon
Post Info TOPIC: Step Two Al-Anon
dot


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 237
Date:
Step Two Al-Anon
Permalink  

Step Two - Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

From Paths to Recovery - Al-Anon's 12 Steps, Traditions and Concepts, pg 19. (copyright 1997, by Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., Limited use by express written permission of Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.)

In the beginning to understand Step Two, we learn that we have choices. If the members of any group in the world were surveyed, each person would respond differently with a personal definition of a Higher Power. If we resist the idea of God as our Higher Power, we can begin by using the group as a Power greater than ourselves. In the group we meet people like us who are coping with many of the same problems and finding creative solutions we had not considered or attitudes that make the similar situations in their lives more tolerable. We consider that many heads are better than one and draw on the groups collective wisdom.

Love in Recovery - Dot

How is step two working in your life. Are you sane yet? :):)

__________________
amanda2u2


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 228
Date:
Permalink  

 lol..  am I sane yet?  not quite yet.  But I am coming to believe. 


amanda



__________________
do your best and God does the rest, a Step at a time
GammyRose


Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 16
Date:
Permalink  

I remember when I first started working on this step, I thought I will never be able to get this, I didn't know what sanity was. Then I heard someone say "Progress, not Prefection". Okay, I thought , I can do this. It's getting better, insanity is not the whole picture now.


(((Hugs)))


GammyRose



__________________
socalmom


Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 8
Date:
Permalink  

Thanks for posting Step Two.


This was and still is an important step for me.  It's where I began to understand that I didn't have all the answers.  As much as I tried, alone I couldn't solve my problems.  In fact, it seemed that I was just making my situation worse.  After years of trying everything I could think of, it was time I opened up to help from others.


At first, my faith in my HP was pretty weak.  I hadn't focused on my spirituality for a very long time, so it was almost nonexistent.  My Alanon group, especially my sponsor, was my HP until my faith in my HP gained strength.  This doesn't mean that my group is any less important now.  It just means that today, I believe that my HP has the answers for me.  My Alanon group provides human, tangible love acceptance and support.


Each time I work through the 12 steps, I gain a much deeper understanding of myself, others and my faith in God grows stronger.  I've learned that not only is it OK to ask others for help, it's imperative when dealing with such a confusing and destructive environment brought on by alcoholism. 


Today, I know I don't have all the answers.  I don't have to have all the answers.  My HP (God) has a wonderful plan for my life and all I need to do is be open and willing to listen and He will show me the way. 


Peace,


Jane



__________________
terri53


Newbie

Status: Offline
Posts: 2
Date:
Permalink  

I always believed in a higher power, but trying to realize that he could lead me to sanity was something else. I thought I was the only one who could do that. Now I"m beginning to see that I can't by myself. Thank you for having this board here, I really believe that I am becoming sane again, thanks to this board and my therapist and my family. Terri

__________________
shimo


Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 11
Date:
Permalink  

When I entered the doors of Al-Anon, I believed in a power greater than myself.  My HP is God. The effects of living with active alcoholism for many, many years finally brought me to Al-Anon.  It was not long before I asked a longtime member of the group if she had ever questioned her own sanity.  "Yes", she said without skipping a beat, "that is one of the effects of living with alcoholism."  That dear lady told me two things without uttering another word: (1) that I was not crazy, and (2) I was in the right place; I belong here.


As many have said before me, "my best thinking got me here."  I have read in our meditation books the only valid comparisons to be made are between "myself as I am" and "myself as I used to be."  I am grateful to my God and Al-Anon that today I am not that angry, hurting , raging,  judgemental, self-righteous hypocrite that I used to be.


Today I strive to be the best me I can be, the me that God meant for me to be, and with His help and the help of Al-Anon I will become healthier still.


Yours in recovery - Shimo (Jeri)


 


 



__________________
MsgBo


Newbie

Status: Offline
Posts: 3
Date:
Permalink  

How is step two working in your life. Are you sane yet? :):)


I found that Step 2 was easy.  It only took me six months of agony for it to really start working.  Then the realization slowly dawned on me that my actions were idiotic.  I kept doing the same things expecting different results.  If that isn't insane I don't know what insane is.


I am not sane yet.   I probably never will be but I am definitely better.


And better is good.


MsgBo


 



__________________
jmb


Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 6
Date:
Permalink  

I have come to realize that with the help of my HP can I get sanity back in my life. I have to come to realize my thinking was distorted and I have only been having negative thoughts for so long that it has overpowered my whole being. I do not want to be this Negative person who always lives in the past and in my own mind so to speak. I have finally come to the realization that I do have a problem and the only way to fix my problem is to turn it over to my Higher Power so that I may be sane again and not live in yesterday. With God, Al Anon, my husband, my little girl, and myself will I be able to do so.
At this point, in my opinion, I am not sure if I will ever be totally sane just know that I am getting better and living each day one day at a time! And I can live with better as well!! Because better means Happiness! And I am finally beginning to feel happiness. It is just going to take time.

JMB

__________________
cookie1971


Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 6
Date:
Permalink  

(((((Family)))))

Step 2 was easy after the realization of step 1.

I know that the only way back to sanity will be with the help of my HP whom I choose to call God.

Coming to this realization was the greatest freedom I have known in my 34 years of being married to an alcoholic.

I know 2008 is going to be a great year.

Love and Blessings,

Cookie



__________________

A persons a person no matter how small     -Dr Suess
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
Miracles In Progress 12 Step Recovery Forums -> Step Work -> Step Work -> Step Two Al-Anon
Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us

Alcoholics Anonymous (Big Book)

Al-Anon

Courage to Change

The 12 Steps 
For Adult Children

Miracles In Progress 12 Step Recovery Forums
Recovery Book Store
http://www.12stepforums.net/books.html

All Books in our bookstore are recovery related books, please visit the store and make a purchase for yourself or someone you want to shine some love on!

Alcoholics Anonymous Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions

 

 

Daily Affirmations for Adult Childern

When you buy a book you are helping support Miracles In Progress 12 Step Recovery Forums

We have over 100 recovery books in our bookstore which is affiliated with Amazon.com.  The fastest, safest and easiest way to get your new reading material sent directly to you.