Step 12 sometimes feels like the easiest one, until I am working on it! I admit that "carrying the message to others" resulted initially in discomfort. Al-Anon is a program of attraction, not recruitment, and carrying the good news to others sounds a lot like missionary work to me. (I think missionary work, when based in service and leading by example, is great. Sometimes, though, it can feel as though missionary work is forceful and overbearing, and that makes me uncomfortable.) It took some thought and a lot of prayer and meditation before I could begin to understand the actions this step asks of me.


Have I experienced a spiritual awakening? If so, please describe
yes, I have discovered a greater trust in HP and see how care for myself fits into HP's plans. I have more willingness to place fears and doubts into HP's hands and ask for help regularly, not just when I think I need it.

What have I received from Al-Anon that I would most like to share?
calmness and balance, as well as an understanding of what is mine and what is not mine.

What are the different ways I can carry the message to others?
For me, the best approach to this is through my actions, behavior, and interactions with others. There is a balance between hiding my participation in the program and shoving the program down someone's throat before they are ready that I can try to reach. I can go to face-to-face meetings and be fully present. I can lead when appropriate and follow others when appropriate. I can participate in MIP. I can reach out to new members so they know that they are not alone.

Did I see a friendly face. Early in my recovery? What can I do to be a friendly face someone else?
I did, several. And that friendliness, coupled with the wisdom and compassion in their shares, helped me to keep coming back. I can be present at meetings and on the board so that those early to recovery see a friendly face. I can do my best to embody the principles and practices of the program. I can continue to work on my own recovery, and offer support to my sponsee as she works her own program.

How can I best carry the message to my family members, especially those in resist the ideas?

I can best carry the message to family members by working my program and enforcing my boundaries so they can see the program at work in my life. I can offer to go to meetings with them, and if they visit me, I can offer to bring them to my meetings.

How can I practice these principles in all my affairs, my job in my family life?

I can start out my days with intent, prayer, and meditation. I can return to prayer and meditation throughout the day. Since I am still not the best at recognizing how I am feeling while I am feeling it, and I know that I am not likely to recognize a need for meditation throughout the day until the end of the day, I can plan meditation breaks and follow a meditation routine. I can remember to keep it simple, put first things first, stay in my own circus and let other people stay in their own circuses. I can set and enforce healthy boundaries, and most importantly, make my own self-care a priority.

What are the principles that I will practice in all my affairs?
I have a HP and my HP has a plan for me. Other people have their own HP, and their own plans. I will follow my plan to the best of my ability and allow others to follow their plans to the best of their abilities.

How can I apply them in my daily life?
Daily prayer (talking) and meditation (listening).

In what areas of my life do I need to start practicing these principles?
In my self-care, especially. I also need to be more willing to step up and engage in leadership. (I understand leadership as a behavior, not a role that someone has in a hierarchical structure.)

How am I living the message of the program?
I try to conduct myself in life and in my interactions with others in accordance with the program. I have embraced progress, not perfection, and am trying to verbally acknowledge progress I have made and things I am working on when appropriate.

AM I a good example of Al-Anon recovery?
I think so. I took my own path in recovery, which demonstrates the flexibility of the program, and I am working on recovery in an ongoing process, which is in keeping with progress, not perfection.