Member: Landscape Ray
Location: Scotland
Date: 12 Jan 2003
Time: 08:44:05

Comments

every morning when i wake i say good morning god-- i used t say good god its morning in my drinking days! I ask God to remove self and make to-day a day which i can try and be useful to my fellow man , and accept his will for me,THY will be done, nothing in front i cannot face with the power behind , god bless Ray


Member: Harry K
Location: UK
Date: 12 Jan 2003
Time: 09:09:24

Comments

When I first started this step, I would anticipate hearing something profound like "Go out and save the world" or something equally silly (and ultimately egotistical). I also didn't want to hear what my personal God was telling me to do ("Take a shower, get dressed, go to work & I'll get back to you!") Step 11 keeps me focussed and humble on a daily basis. It also reminds me of whose in charge of things. My life was unmanageable when I first came into A.A. (That was quite a while ago). I'm not much better at things today. I still get grandiose and think I know it all when pride gets in my way. Along with step 10, this step keeps me sane and content. Some days I do it better than other days, but I never fail to do it each day. It is a part of my daily routine that I just do (no different than having dinner) So in the mornings I do what I'm instructed, I get out of bed, shower up, go out in the world and I'll be darned if God doesn't getback to me! Only when I'm living life, do I experience it. It's only when I keep myself in the day am I able to meet whatever challenges life provides. I have a job with allot of responsibility and when things don't go to plan as they often don't, I address it. God gave me the strength to carry out his best work for the day. I am here in God's training Serving his time carrying out his instructions God bless all of you for keeping me sober.


Member: AZbill
Location: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Date: 12 Jan 2003
Time: 10:37:25

Comments

Hi. Bill here. Alcoholic from Arizona. One of the questions I get asked the most on Step 11 is, "How do I know when I have made conscious contact?". The answer starts back in "Chapter 4, "We Agnostics". Here we learned that "...deep down inside every man, woman, and child there is a fundamental concept of God." It may be covered up with a bunch of slime and crap, but none the less it is there. In the promises it tells us that "We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we cannot do for ourselves". This is the realization; the conscious contact; that we need to improve on. It has happened somewhere between step Four and Step Nine. To improve on this contact we use a prayer of choice. I have been using the 3rd Step prayer for years. For me it is simple; it says it all; and it works for me. Thank you for being a part of my sobriety today. Bill email: az-bill@mindspring.com


Member: Cindi P.
Location: Chippewa Falls
Date: 12 Jan 2003
Time: 10:49:14

Comments

Hi, my name is Cindi P. and I am an alcoholic. My morning and evening prayers are very simple. I try to check in with thanks for a new day, and close with gratitude for another sober day. Often during the day, I check in with HP to remind myself that thy will, not mine be done. I learned to meditate by listening fully to what other people shared at meetings, without planning what brilliant statement I was going to make. Now, I can sit in silence and appreciate life around me. Sometimes I meditate on a part of St. Francis' prayer, or the prayer in the front of the 24 Hours a Day book, or a reading from a meditation book. In this situation I definitely am looking for progress, not perfection. I am grateful to be sober today.


Member: Joy S.
Location: Chas.SC
Date: 12 Jan 2003
Time: 11:26:01

Comments

As I wrestle constantly with my defects, I still say the third step prayer, with the please remove from me all my shortcomings and defects of character add on, every day or try to- some days I do forget. Like Harry, in praying for God's will for me I often get the answer to just get up and go about it and I'll catch up with you later. My HP apparently wants me to learn patience- something I've never had, I am so compulsive- and humility. It used to make me totally nuts but now it actually adds to my serenity in a personal sort of way. I have the time to feel HP doing what I can't do. Some things have been made clear to me about my artwork and my future there, my job, which is something different I do PT, and some aspects of my personal life. But as for if I know what God's will for me is, no not really. I'm still dealing with stuff and I imagine I have some ways to go yet before I am fit. I do though have absolute faith that these things will be made known to me.But the timing has nothing to do with my agenda. Thank you for this site and all of you.


Member: L.W.R
Location: CANADA
Date: 12 Jan 2003
Time: 18:10:58

Comments

once and a while, not all the time, do i remember to do a glance over my day at the end of it,, step 10. when i do though it is really good and i see the odd thing here or there, and it creates a renewed awarness, and a conciousness of what i'm doing/not doing/or could maybe do better. I just finished doing the steps on "Stubborness" 1-12 and i will continue to take personal inventory on the action part of my amends, just to check in with myself as to how i am doing on the "changing" part. i do this because my stubborness is glaring right now, and causing me re-occuring trouble with my fiance' So thanx to the steps, my sponsor and my higher power for this awesome recipie. Sometimes i wonder if "Defiance and stubborness [being that they are outstanding characteristics of alcoholics..],,i wonder if that is why alot of aa's won't even do the steps. i know where i live.. i see it all the time.. people get a sponsor, and the sponsor talks on the phone, or serves as a friend, etc, etc. but doesn't actually take the sponsee through the steps! I find it amazing! you get this wish washy sobriety, and a friend.. i don't know about anyone else, but i came here to GET WELL. so that i can fulfill my real purpose" which is to be of maximum service to god and to be reasonably well. god its so simple you get the big book, you go wherever and you put pen to paper, your sponsor GUIDES you through it and give the rest to god, simple. i have spent alot of time in the big long complicated story of paralasis analysis, and it alot of verbal diareah if you ask me. and not much more than that, it is my prayer that i can accept this and find serenity, all is okay


Member: Elizabeth E.
Location: Southeast
Date: 12 Jan 2003
Time: 20:43:26

Comments

God could and would if he were sought!


Member: Harold A.
Location: New England coast
Date: 12 Jan 2003
Time: 22:29:23

Comments

I had a sponsor who told me to listen to the silences at meetings and understand that God was there most then. Someone else along the way must have passed on to me another trick: when I'm stressed at work or in the world somewhere I say to myself, "God is here; God is here." Meditation is nice in the morning. Silent prayer has been serving me well of late. It is a miracle I'm sober. Happy trudging to all.


Member: Stella P.
Location: Whitefield, OK
Date: 12 Jan 2003
Time: 23:04:36

Comments

Alcoholic, grateful for recovery today, name is Stella. I get real challenged on the "meditation" part. Slowing my mind to still is at times a greater challenge than not taking a drink or a . . . .Letting His power flow in and through me sometimes gets crowded by my greediness, pride and grandiosity. However, there have been a few times in my life when the stillness has been obtained, visions of His power fill all my senses and I stand in awe. And the prayer part, it works when I work it; sometimes I am challenged to recognize His answer though, I think it is supposed to come in the package "I" anticipated. Always searching for the greater Truth.


Member: linda g
Location: northern california
Date: 13 Jan 2003
Time: 00:58:54

Comments

im linda, im an alcoholic, thanks, harold , i needed to remember that "god is here, god is here" in my 13th year of sobriety i know less now than ever. but now im reminded of not being alone in this dark hallway. i love the silences at meetings and have just realized why.


Member: Rich P.
Location: New York, NY
Date: 13 Jan 2003
Time: 01:12:02

Comments

Hi I am Rich, an alcoholic. I have found that meditation is one of the best ways to let go of my self centered thoughts, and have my higher power enter my life. I have been meditating in the morning and at night, and I find that it has made me a much happier man, and I feel very close to my higher power. It has also made me more aware of how I project my thoughts. I worry the future and brood over the past. Meditation is a way for me to center my thoughts in the moment. A conscious contact with God is much easier if I let it in. It's hard for that to happen if I am worrying and brooding. Once again, I have God and all of you to thank for another tool(and gift) in my life. Much love


Member: faye g
Location: baton rouge, la.
Date: 13 Jan 2003
Time: 07:59:58

Comments


Member: Kathleen
Location: Floral City, Florida
Date: 13 Jan 2003
Time: 09:21:39

Comments

Kathleen here alcoholic. I love this step. (and all the rest).... When I'm searching for spiritual enlightment I just feel so much better inside and life seems to go a little more smoothly. My problem is to remember to do the searching everyday and I don't always remember.. It's easy when I'm down and out and my back is against the wall to ask my hp for help but when I'm doing real good then my ego wants to take over and geez why do I do that...ya know? So this was real good for me to come here and see this step. I need to be reminded of these things...thanks


Member: Kathleen
Location: Floral City, Florida
Date: 13 Jan 2003
Time: 09:23:11

Comments

Kathleen here alcoholic. I love this step. (and all the rest).... When I'm searching for spiritual enlightment I just feel so much better inside and life seems to go a little more smoothly. My problem is to remember to do the searching everyday and I don't always remember.. It's easy when I'm down and out and my back is against the wall to ask my hp for help but when I'm doing real good then my ego wants to take over and geez why do I do that...ya know? So this was real good for me to come here and see this step. I need to be reminded of these things...thanks


Member: Bob S.
Location: Salt Lake City
Date: 13 Jan 2003
Time: 12:59:15

Comments

Hi friends, Bob and I'm alcoholic. My personal experience with this step is that it has changed and changed me since coming to our fellowship. I used to judge myself for forgetting to get on my knees first thing out of bed. Later I learned that my self-judgment was like playing chief critic with myself, playing G~d with myself. I noticed this after experiencing how my days would go when I didn't get on my knees first thing, and so began to learn that no matter what I did, I was a student of life and that's where I was supposed to stay. With me and with you. I've learned that everything I do is a lesson for me, about me. I think it's interesting, and no "coincidence", that the Discussion topic and this Step, are basically about acceptance. Rather than standing in critical judgment of anything, and playing the "expert" that all others must be consulting, I am to be one who has my own experiences and share only that. I'm grateful to be one of "us" and not G~d or an expert. It was lonely and frightening when I was. (big grin) Thanks for letting me share what works for me. Hugs, Bob


Member: Dennis H.
Location: Austin TX
Date: 13 Jan 2003
Time: 23:17:40

Comments

The power of prayer is awesome when used in the proper way. I just ask for the willingness to let God direct me and ask for the insightfulness to accept that direction and incorporate it into every action of my day. Do I do this perfectly? Not by a long shot...I still struggle by trying to take back control and run things as I see fit. This is where meditation(or listening as some discribe it) can quiet my alcoholic mind and let me act the way God has intended me to. Thank you for the shares all!


Member: Jack B
Location: Palo Alto, Pa
Date: 14 Jan 2003
Time: 02:19:59

Comments

Hi, I am Jack, a real alcoholic. For me step 11 is God's step. It's where I ask God's Grace to help me live the right way. I have learned that God is not a mystery to be solved, but a miracle to experience. Thanks for allowing me to share and God Bless all.


Member: Scott K
Location: Rochester, NY
Date: 14 Jan 2003
Time: 05:51:00

Comments

Hi, My name is Scott and I am an alcoholic. 11th is quite a ways down the line for me, I'm currently at step 4 for the first time. I appreciate everyone's sharing on this as it gives me a lot to think about and look forward to. One thing that AA and getting sober has done for me; I am now able to genuinely listen to the experience of others and apply it to my own life. I was always too prideful to do that before so THANKS.


Member: Michael R.
Location: San Diego
Date: 14 Jan 2003
Time: 06:06:34

Comments

Step 11 is my way of acknowledging and deepening my relationship with God. I think we are so lucky to be able to have a relationship with the Creator. How cool is that? I definately agree with the part about praying only for the knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out. I also like to use pages 86- 89 as a sort of outline or prayer.


Member: Ollie
Location: UK
Date: 14 Jan 2003
Time: 17:35:53

Comments

I think I get most out of this step with the words "thy will" which helps me because I feel my HP is there throughout the day, and I pray usually to say thank you and in appreciation of another sober day. I didn't really know what to expect of the stage, it seemed an ordeal, I wanted to forget I was alcoholic... but I can't it's always there, and this step humbles me... it's a good humbling tho.


Member: AnilG
Location: MtVernon,IL
Date: 14 Jan 2003
Time: 18:22:01

Comments

I am an alcoholic step 11 means a lot to me. It means that each time I do this step reminds of practicing sprituality which I have found the basis of my cure of insanity of drinking and doing drugs. I have felt lot of peace within me made my life more managable. It further makes it easiar for me to do other steps thanks to aa and al anon.


Member: Craig L (Dogmanor@yahoo.com)
Location: Aloha, Oregon
Date: 14 Jan 2003
Time: 18:40:21

Comments

Conscious contact for me is the Joy I experience when I am in peace of mind. In the grips of my disease I knew no peace, I was in a waking nightmare of addiction. In the process of moving through the steps with my sponsor, I first experienced the serenity, which was so foreign to my mind. With the practice of letting go and staying in the present, I found that peace was available more often. Even when I do let my ego, take me into fear and turmoil, I now have a practice which always works to bring back to peace. This requires daily(constant) action on my part; the action of doing what is in front of me, the action of service, the choices of compassion and gratitude. I do try to begin my day with an inspirational reading and spending some time alone being quiet, but not doing these things does not necessarily mean my serenity is lost, so long as I am willing to continue to recognize God in everything, everywhere, regardless of the interpretation of my tiny little mind.


Member: Joe C
Location: Southold
Date: 14 Jan 2003
Time: 19:54:59

Comments

I appreciate all that is said. I am leading a step 11 meeting on Thursday. For me I pray because I was told that I needed to do so in order to stay sober. Sometimes when things aren't going well it's tough, but I do it anyway. Joe


Member: Angelo B
Location:
Date: 15 Jan 2003
Time: 18:18:28

Comments

A sponsor of a sponsor had a chat with me once in early sobriety and suggested, "Have you thanked God for your pain?" And I laughed. But I acted on the suggestion... and things changed. Seems it accelerates the Serenity to Accept the things I cannot change and bitesizes the stuff I need the courage to change. I still look for where I am selfish, resentful, dishonest or afraid and I have to ask forgiveness regularly. So, I'm still in need of work in the "promptly addmitted it" zone, but a good 11th is only real with a good 10th. I sometimes get off on tangents where I figure last week's great flow of 11 means I can slack back today. With that comes the spiritual pride that says, "I've got it made now." and then a fall happens that gives me pain to be thankful for and the cycle starts again. Someone to talk about it with is a great thing. God bless you all.


Member: Diane
Location: Alabama
Date: 15 Jan 2003
Time: 23:27:41

Comments

Hi ya'll. Diane, alcoholic. A few years ago, I thought a spiritual solution for my drinking problem was kind of like calling a neurosurgeon to fix the toilet. So much for my thinking! An older woman in my home group asked me, 'What did your mother teach you to say when you want something? Well, if you want to be sober you better say "Please" in the morning and "Thank you" at night.' Another man told me to put my shoes way under the bed - that way I'd have to get on my knees every morning and every night. When I have days (like today) when the monkeys are loose in the attic and I can't focus on a thing, I fall back to the simplicity of 'Please' and 'Thank you'. I'm sober. Thank you all for being here. I needed you tonight.


Member: Jackie L.
Location:
Date: 16 Jan 2003
Time: 02:10:31

Comments

Hi Precious Fellowship... I'm an alcoholic who didn't have to have a drink today. (Hurray!!!! ) and soooo, I didn't have to live in all of that awful horror that came along with the first drink. Horror like having no choice about that second or third drink or that first drunk or that second or third drunk and so on and so on, right on into HELL. I do so very much treasure the ever-increasing freedom to choose in sobriety. Sometimes I drift away , neglecting to choose to seek His will and His Power for and in my life. I'm beginning to see that this distancing, this choice not to trust the tools of the program that He has so lovingly made available to me,usually follows a disappointment in the way things have worked out. This is ESPECIALLY true if I feel that I have been doing things HIS way, the 11th step way, and STILL, they "don't work out". He has been showing me new things, though. In very concrete ways, He has been allowing me to see that DESPITE appearances,I CAN trust Him. When I take the long view of my sober journey this fact is apparent, but sometimes when I'm "in" the situation...oh dear.. and the "bad-guys" are winning , I mean it really seems like they're beating me up, then I have a tendency to withdraw in shame and to doubt and to fear....and to drift away. I'm just thinking that "adrift" is what addiction was like for me .. adrift at sea no hope in sight...no rudder...only booze and blinded eyes...and pain. and indeed, all too often it's pain rather than wisdom that forces me back to the steps . I just got a rush of gratitude that my tolerance for that kind of pain isn't nearly what it used to be! hurray again!! I even like being happy most of the time!! Really, I wouldn't have guessed it because for a long ,long time happy felt like it just didn't fit.. When I was brand new to meetings and everybody'd laugh and I'd get caught up in the merriment and actually laugh a little ,it would cause my face to ache and that is not a joke. My face would ache. I'm pretty sure that I could smile for hours now and it wouldn't hurt one little bit. Thank you for letting me share and , more than that,thank you for sharing


Member: Shauna W
Location: west australia
Date: 16 Jan 2003
Time: 02:16:54

Comments

hi, I'm shauna and I'm an alcoholic with few meetings due to living in the outback. Thanks Bob C., for your comments on being self judgemental and playing God. After 12 years I still feel I and not God am my own best judge, and although I pull myself up quickly and pray to God to take over, I still do it. Old habits die hard! I love this step as it puts me to right size with God, I know He is in charge of my life and loves me. I felt protected for the first time once I understood this step and still do today. I pray to myself or out loud as I go for walks in the bush asking Him to get me out of the way and for Him to show me, guide me and give me the power to do His will for the day. He always gives me everything I need, I just have to remember that and stop taking over. Love, Shauna


Member: Tracy V
Location: England
Date: 16 Jan 2003
Time: 13:59:41

Comments

Hi i'm Tracy and i am an alcoholic 1 day sober i preyed for the first time in my life last night and it felt good. Tracy


Member: mike H.
Location:
Date: 17 Jan 2003
Time: 00:53:43

Comments

hi i'm mike an alcoholic. clean 58 days. was stuggling alittle bit today and had just read the 11th step before i came on line. reading your comments reminded me how important it is for me to maintain simple attention to things in my daily life. The tools of prayer and mediatation help me to remain mindful of each moment thru out the day. Thankyou you for your thoughts - especially about the silence at the meetings and that God is there in that silence. this is a new paradigm shift for me at meetings... thank you all.


Member: Landscape Ray
Location: Scotland
Date: 17 Jan 2003
Time: 08:42:28

Comments

Hi Mike H.well done on 58 days you are doing well regards Ray


Member: Donna
Location: Florida
Date: 17 Jan 2003
Time: 08:48:42

Comments

Step 11 is my favorite step. When I was first starting in the program I could not remember what to do except ask God to keep me sober in morning & thank him at night. I just knew I needed to do more than that. You can see how my mind worked I just didn't believe God would work for me. So my sponsor told me to read step 11 morning & night & do what it said to do at that time. It was clear cut directions which I needed. He said that did not mean I was on step 11 it would just keep my life from getting any worse. After working these steps I started meditation which I am not sure to this day exactly what it does for me. But I know I feel beter when I do it.


Member: Kjoe
Location: Rochester NY (D.O.S. 2/23/88)
Date: 17 Jan 2003
Time: 10:22:53

Comments

Hi All, I believe in the concept of Good. Orderly. Direction. which, requires no prayer. It is finding out what the next right thing to do is. How do I get there without having to pick up a drink or a drug... Good. Orderly. Direction. But, when, it comes to praying to G.O.D. that is a concept that is not part of my program. It was part of Bill W's program but, not mine. The only requirement is a desire to stop drinking. Prayer is not a requirement to staying sober. Yes, for a whole lot of people this whole prayer thing is a huge part of their program. More power to ya' but, I don't pray to something I don't believe in.


Member: Landscape Ray
Location: Scotland
Date: 17 Jan 2003
Time: 12:06:46

Comments

Hi Kjoe good on you buddy if you have come this far without god in your life , god plays a big part in my soberiety to-day tradition 2 and with the program in my life i came to believe, i wish you well on you journey but i know i wouldnt have survived the last 16 years without him ,kind regards Ray


Member: kak
Location: fresco
Date: 18 Jan 2003
Time: 14:31:41

Comments

Call it want you want Kjoe, or don't call it anything. but you still got it buddy! way to go!


Member: Kjoe
Location: Rochester NY (D.O.S. 2/23/88)
Date: 18 Jan 2003
Time: 16:04:31

Comments

Hey Landscape Ray & KAK, I did want to expand on what I said the other day, I don't think, for a moment that, I have achieved this much sobriety all by my lonesome. I have had much help along the way for other recovering drunks and addicts. They have done for me what I could not do myself.... To me this Group Of Drunks are my Higher Powers or, Healing Powers. I came into the rooms of AA/NA a hopeless drunk & junkie. By my own power I was unable to stay stopped even, in the face of dire consequences. This Group of Drunks helped restore me to sanity. Right thinking, Right action. Not to say that I have not gotten down on my knees and prayed to some other HP from a far distant planet but, I found this practice to be wanting. For me the answers are not really outside of me they are within me altho, sometime hidden away from view. My higher purpose in life, myself and the world around me I was unconnected to during my active addiction. I was in full flight of reality. I don't have all the answers, I do have to go to meetings and listen to other peoples struggles, trials, errors,solutions, defeats and victorys to get the proper perspective on life. So, I have continued to attend AA/NA meetings over the years, it is the main reason I'm still alive-n-kickin' on planet earth. Without the freely given help of other recovering alcoholic's and addict's I bevieve, none of us would be here today. These are called Spirtual Programs but, where does this Spirit come from? I don't believe it comes from this all powerful God who art thou in heaven, I believe, it comes from other alcoholic' & addict's sharing from the true core of there beings. Experience, Strenght and Hope................................................................................ "He finally realizes that he has undergone a profound alteration in his reaction to life; that such a change could hardly have been brought about by himself alone. What often takes place in a few months could seldom have been accomplished by years of self-discipline. With few exceptions our members find that they have tapped an unsuspected inner resource which they presently identify with their own conception of a Power greater than themselfs."................................ AA Big Book 3rd Edition pg. 569............................................................................. Well, that's my spin on things for Today...lol....Kjoe


Member: AZbill
Location: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Date: 18 Jan 2003
Time: 16:16:04

Comments

HI Bill here Alcoholic from Arizona. Nice Post Kjoe. I know a few atheists that have gotten sober and stayed sober. One of them over 30 years. I know at least one Devil worshipper who has been sober a number of years as well. I do not question anyone's sobriety. All we ask is that we seek a power outside of ourselves. We never name that power. That is entirely up to the individual. I use the term God. But by dictionary definition that God is not allied with any sect, denomination, institution or organization. He is a spiritual entity and not a religious entity. Bill email:az-bill@mindspring.com


Member: Doodle
Location:
Date: 19 Jan 2003
Time: 08:08:07

Comments

I pray to a pink poodle.


Member: #2
Location:
Date: 19 Jan 2003
Time: 08:23:46

Comments

I pray to the great god Barlach! All hail Barlach!