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Miracles In Progress 12 Step Recovery Forums -> Step Work -> Step Work -> THE 12 STEP CLOCK
Post Info TOPIC: THE 12 STEP CLOCK
Avril G


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THE 12 STEP CLOCK
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I heard a story about a newcomer who asked his sponsor, 'OK, so what happens when I've finished the 12 steps, what do I do then?'  His sponsor replied, 'Well son, once you've finished them, you better lie very still, cos you'll be dead'

He went on to say that he didn't look at the steps as a flight of stairs, but as a clock face which, when the little hand gets to 12, it starts all over again, over and over, steps 1 to 12.  I have used this method of stepwork ever since, and it's kept me sober for 19+ years, so I thought I'd pass it on.

I can never answer the question, 'Which step are you on?' because this is dependent upon what is happening in my life today.  Some days I find myself bouncing between steps 1 to 3, then once I've had enough of that, I'll call my sponsor or another closed-mouthed friend and do step 4/5.  By the time I've worked through the problem and come out the other end, I'll most likey share it in a meeting, which may help someone else (Step 12)

The steps work me most of the time, I know from experience that if I rest on my laurels get complacent, or decide, 'This is no time for the programme, this is a REAL problem I'll have to sort this one out for mysef, I can do that now, I am 19+ years sober' disbeliefyawn  I soon get that old familiar 'rat in the stomach' feeling, which tells me it's 'sink or swim time' and the length of time in the programme means that I am quicker at spotting myself going off kilter, it sure as hell don't stop me getting my leg in it if I forget the today I am not in charge.

Have a nice day (Unless of course you have something else in mind) smile

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NUTS = Not Using The Steps
Sobrietyspell


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Thank you, Avril. I can certainly relate to this. It describes how I learned the steps first time through. Funny because although they are suggested to be worked formally & in order, everyone is always at different places so newcomers & all of us are repeatedly exposed to them piecemeal in all sorts of orders. It can be confusing lol Persistence does lead to an understanding of them in an orderly fashion though so for anyone working through them with a sponsor now, keep coming back & don't give up before your miracle happens. Life continues to get better away from a drink & working a program 1Day@aTime, Danielle x

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I'd like to.. Acceptance is the Key ~ J4T
Dave Harm


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When I had about two years sobriety, a close non-AA friend asked me how it worked. And I explained it to him and the 12 Steps. He asked me what I got when I completed the steps.

I looked at him dumbfounded and he asked again. What do you get? A certificate? A diploma? what?

To this day I still chuckle over that conversation...

About the clocks I made one last year. The whole clock resembles an AA chip. 12 o'clock has my 12 year chip, 1 o'clock my one year chip, and so on. Then I added a chain underneath for my 13th, 14th, and now 15th year chips. The clock sits in my office and is a reminder of what I can do with my Higher Power's help - in a 24 hour period.

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"A busy mind is a sick mind.  A slow mind is a healthy mind.  A still mind is a divine mind." - Native American Centerness

Creating Dreams, from the nightmares of hell...
aprilleaves


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Even though I am on step one I was thinking what do I get when I finish step 12, well I am sure glad I read this post. I thought after step 12 I would be cured for sure, and then I could be one of them normal drinkers, after I finished the program. I guess not, this sucks.

Well, I was just trying to find another reason why I could drink again.

-- Edited by aprilleaves on Saturday 22nd of May 2010 11:57:34 AM

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