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 2 - AA
Post Info TOPIC: Step 2 - AA
sheilasdad


Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 12
Date:
Step 2 - AA
Permalink  

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


When I first came to AA and I had to share on the second step, I would boldly declare,"My name is Mike, I'm an alcoholic, and I am not now, nor have I ever been insane."  This despite years of performing such sane acts as smashing mailboxes with sledgehammers on a Sunday afternoon while singing The Fields of Athenrey. 


I truly believed that my alcoholic behavior was not insanity.  I thought it was normal to leave work on payday, fully resolved to not drink, and stop in a bar to duck the rain.  This despite the fact that the hardware store next to the bar sold umbrellas.  Four days, twenty-odd bars, three crackhouses, and 900 dollars later I would come to, wondering how I was going to survive on .37 cents for two weeks.  I did this over and over.  Usually just a variation on the same theme. But I was sane. Right.


It took a while.  Gradually I came to see that where alcohol was involved, I was indeed insane.  I needed something to help me out of it.  Gradually I also began to believe in the existence of God - certainly a power greater than myself.  My belief did not come easily.  The spiritual awakening I had developed over time, and was then hastened by a near death experience sober.  I got through it, saw my life getting better, and realized that God, for me, was the key.  


My higher power could restore me to a normal way of life and thinking.  It was happening in my life and in the lives of everyone I associated with at that time.  How could I doubt it? 


Thoughts anyone?


 



__________________
Quetzal


Newbie

Status: Offline
Posts: 3
Date:
Permalink  

When I first started back with AA I was so eager to start working the steps. But, I was going to have a problem with step 2 as I truly didn't think that I was insane. Sure, I was a bit 'wacky' at times and had done the odd thing that I wished I hadn't when I was drinking, but I wasn't insane! We'd all done slightly crazy things, hadn't we?

I had completely forgotten about trying to keep sober during the day so I could go out in the evening. My idea of keeping sober was to pour a glass of wine and then drink it down in one, to have the kick, but not so that I would get drunk! By the end of the evening, I was unable to walk. I had to crawl home the last few yards on my hands and knees. But, I still didn't think that I was insane, even the next day when I poured that first drink. Well, everyone gets drunk occasionally, don't they?

Over a few weeks, and lots of AA meetings, my mind started to dredge up so many completely insane things that I had done when I was drunk and which I had passed off as being normal. I would literally cringe as another memory came winging in to me. I dread to think what I have done in black-out which I still can't remember!

Slowly as I sobered up, I became aware of a 'power' in the rooms of AA and in the people who were there. I so wanted and needed for this Power to lift me out of the black hole of my alcoholism. For several months my GOD was a Group Of Drunks, until I now have my own benign, positive, loving God who is restoring me to sanity on a daily basis.

Thank you for listening.

Carol

__________________
Earthly things must be known to be loved; Divine things must be loved to be known. - Blaise Pascal
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 2 - AA
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.