Member: CJC
Location: NH
Date: 2/17/2002
Time: 10:32:11 AM
What is conscious contact?The step says"But it's object is always the same;to improve our conscious with God.... But if I don't know what "it" is how can I improve on "it".
Member: Question
Location: everything
Date: 2/17/2002
Time: 10:47:35 AM
Ya.what is it ,when do we git it,how do we know got it????
Member: Jack J.
Location: TX
Date: 2/17/2002
Time: 11:09:46 AM
CJC, I have to acknowlege God every day. That doesn't mean I just think about Him. I have to pray and talk to Him. I have been sober since April 01 and I have since learned that my mind can play tricks on me. Ya see, I can be going along just fine then BAM...a little thought of alcohol...sometimes subtle...sometimes like a ton of bricks. I have found that I have to ackowlege that conciously...I talk to my sponsor about it, my parents, God. Whoever will listen to me say it out loud. I think concious ackowledgement of that help. The same is true in regards to my higher power. I have to open up the lines between Him and I. Hope that helps.
Member: Huggy B
Location: Ontario, Canada
Date: 2/17/2002
Time: 11:27:21 AM
For me conscious contact means that I am aware that I have a HP in my life and I practice that by praying (like saying the step3 prayer) or thanking my HP for my sobriety. I do meditation when I feel ackward about something and ask for direction
Member: wondering
Location: in the woods
Date: 2/17/2002
Time: 12:25:09 PM
it is hard to tell if people are pulling your chain or just truly asking.my sponsor always turned me to the dictionary.
Member: Adam H.
Location: Nagano, JAPAN
Date: 2/17/2002
Time: 7:08:52 PM
Adam, alcoholic.
For me, that whole phrase "improve our conscious contact with God" is what this step is all about...the key word, of course, being IMPROVE.
My first few prayers were simply the serenity prayer followed by "Thy Will be done," which I said out loud in the morning because my sponsor said I had to. A long time passed before I began to ask myself what this prayer really meant to me...what was, for me, the definition of "serenity to accept" and "courage to change" and "wisdome to know the difference." Thus began my meditation...just five minutes of quiet thinking about how I could practice what that serenity prayer means to me. What I learned after many months of allowing myself five minutes of quiet to think about the serenity prayer is that "the serenity to accept" means remembering (a) that I can't beat alcohol under any conditions, (b) that I am a human being who sometimes makes mistakes, and (c) that yesterday is gone...tomorrow isn't here yet and that if I don't drink today I get to HAVE today. Also learned that "courage to change" means staying close to AA, trying to be the person that AA has told me I can be in sobriety by keeping my side of the street clean. "Wisdom to know the difference"...well, that was kinda obvious.
This is really how I learned about conscious contact with the God of my understanding...by continuing to take action long enough for the action to mean something to me. When actions go from "meaning nothing to" me to "meaning something to me," that's improvement. In other words, it was like "praying my way into faith." And even today, I still need to make improvement in my relationship with God...so I keep doing the actions.
Grateful to be sober today.
Member: Pete M
Location: Stuart Fl
Date: 2/18/2002
Time: 9:19:58 AM
Good Stuff. I think sometimes it's hard feel in contact with something we can't see. But if we have WORKED the previous steps, we should be able to feel Gods presence. I aproach God in times of quietude and calmness. When I can achieve a state serenity, answers come. At my bottom, I prayed, "please God help me". That tyhat to me was "concious contact". God led me to AA and opened my heart to a world of sobriety.
Member: Scott S
Location: SOCAL
Date: 2/18/2002
Time: 12:20:42 PM
The more I trust in a Kind and loving God, CLEAN HOUSE and help others !!!!! The closer I feel to improving my contact with him.. The more Im able to see his grace in other's .... I know to some people this sound's so SMARMY!! It did to me at first!!! Im just 18 month's sober but this HP thing is really working for me!! I have to stay Real CLOSE to the program to see it and work it!!! Then i get to see it outside of the room's I love AA it saved my Life again TODAY!!!!......... Scott
Member: Bob S.
Location: Salt Lake City
Date: 2/18/2002
Time: 10:33:37 PM
When I was drinking I was so full of myself there was no room for G~d, or you. It wasn't the kind of full-of-self as in pomposity and arrogance all the time; often just simply self-absorption, as in "I don't think very much of myself, but I'm all I think about." I began praying to something I didn't understand but noticed I felt better most of the time when I did. I went to step meetings so I'd get the thoughts and experiences that others had with spirituality and G~d. It helped and still does, so I do it. I now have a higher power, not so much of my understanding, but of my accepting. If I don't have alcohol in me, I can notice when I'm praying. That's conscious contact for me. Sometimes I feel more connected than others. That's human. If I don't do the footwork, I'm lost and headed where I once was. There was a time in my life when I was so egocentric that all I did was try to exercise power over everything in my vicinity. Learning to ask for "knowledge of His will for us, and the power to carry that out" was foreign. My life just works out better when I stand aside, and get off center stage. Being small but useful is a better goal for me. Wishing us all patience and tolerance on our journey. Bob
Member: ANSWER
Location:
Date: 2/19/2002
Time: 1:09:53 AM
The desire for GOD must come from within.When you got it,you won't have to ask.
Member: Jack B
Location: Palo Alto, Pa
Date: 2/19/2002
Time: 2:43:38 AM
HI, I am Jack, a real alcoholic. Step 11 for me is for strenghtening my faith in God.As far as God's will for me today goes, the only thing I am certain about is that God doesn't want me to pick up a drink. Simply put whatever God's will for me today is, is 200% better than whatever my will for me could possibly be. Thanks for allowing me to share and God Bless.
Member: Jen J
Location: nc
Date: 2/19/2002
Time: 7:36:25 AM
For me conscious contact with the God of my understanding is nurturing a relationship/friendship with the Power greater than my EGO-self.I do this daily by praying that my will match the will of the Higher Power and ask for directions as to how to do that.I also ask that I stay sober for that 24 hours since I believe sobriety is a gift and comes through the Grace of my HP coupled with my willingness. I meditate which is getting quiet and listening for the ways to carry out the will of my HP. This was not easy at first. The Big Book and 12 and 12 say many times we, alcoholics are undisciplined. I made a choice to practice prayer and meditation for each day and now after 16 years of doing that, it is much easier and has become a way of life. I had to come to the point where I surrendered EVERY single area of my life and existence over to my Higher Power's care and guidance. Do I do this perfectly: absolutely not! That is why I must continue to continue to pray/meditate and try my best to act on God's will.Today God or as I refer to the Power,"Great Spirit" really does guide my thoughts and actions. Practice makes progress!
Member: OLD TIMER
Location: Hey,just my opinion,idea,notion
Date: 2/19/2002
Time: 11:25:23 AM
Just like F2F meetings ,people talk about the prayer and meditation part,if they even do that sometimes,never talk about the conscious contact part. After hearing the opinions,ideas,notions of what people "think" the conscious contact is, it seems,sounds like people have only got the FIRST HALF of the step going ,to some extent.They are aware,conscious of the fact that they are talking,mouthing words in the form of a prayer.Gotta start some place,right!The book (step 3) also says we can have faith, YET KEEP GOD OUT! A Quote.."THIS PEOPLE DRAW NEAR TO ME WITH THEIR MOUTHS AND HONOR ME WITH THEIR LIPS,WHILE THEIR HEARTS (MINDS)ARE FAR FROM ME". But,on the subject of "what" the conscious contact IS,it begins to sound like a lot of "well intentioned unconscious rationalzations" spoken of in this step. It says in the BB pg 87 "Being still inexperienced and having just made conscious contact with God,it is not probable that we are going to be inspired at all times. WE MIGHT PAY FOR THIS PRESUMPTION IN ALL SORTS OF ABSURD ACTIONS AND IDEAS.So even "IF" a person has made conscious contact they can get messed up about spiritual matters.STEP 11-12&12 He may have forgotten the possibility that his own wishful thinking and the human tendency to RATIONALIZE have distorted his so called guidance. step 5-12&12 "The second difficulty is this:what comes to us ALONE may be garbled by OUR OWN RATIONALZATION and WISHFUL THINKING.....How many times have we heard well-intentioned people claim the guidance of God when it was ALL TO PLAIN they were sorely mistaken".Reminds me of a comment in a 11th step meeting made by an old timer,25+yrs"sponsors" a lot of Pigeons,he calls them,he said "I'm not sure what the conscious contact is,I think what I have is an UNCONSCIOUS contact".i'M SURE HE DOES! For my self the BB,12&12 have the answers to what these things are,aren't,is,isn't, how to get IT,when I can get "IT',and how to KNOW if I've got "IT". And those BOOKS are what i use to explain to a person who wants to be SHOWN."To SHOW other alcoholics precisely HOW we have RECOVERED is the main purpose of THIS BOOK".I feel that understanding this conscious contact thing is something necessary,vital, to continue in sobriety. It was for me.I know others who would say the same.BB pg 51 When many hundreds of people are able to say that the consciousness of the presence of God is today the MOST IMPORTANT FACT OF THEIR LIVES... As with F2F meetings ,I still haven't heard an answer that can be explained by or backed up by the book.
Member: OJ
Location: SoberTown
Date: 2/19/2002
Time: 12:42:23 PM
Dear Old Timer, You have some interesting perceptions of what you think people's comments meant. Please keep coming back.
Member: Bill H.
Location: Orland Park, IL
Date: 2/19/2002
Time: 2:00:31 PM
Bill H - alcoholic, but sober today through God's grace, the fellowship of AA, and a continuing practice of the 12 steps. God was truly a bench sitting pinch hitter to me, called upon in jail cells and firefights, but never to help me stop drinking. My original home group talked freely about their relationships with a higher power and prayed WITH me until I could get on my knees because I wanted to. In past years there were times I've exchanged the 3rd and 7th step prayer on the phone with different people on a daily basis. It's by daily personal contact with God that our relationship grows with our God. I've learned that my conversion is a lifelong experience. I learn more about my God each day that I spend some time in contact. My God loves me no matter how poorly I do on any given day but He (or She) still waits anxiously for me to renew the contact. If you think it's all smoke and mirrors, find somebody to pray WITH you. May God bless all of you.
Member: jonny seemorcrak
Location:
Date: 2/19/2002
Time: 5:06:12 PM
wanna see my 'root'
Member: Tom A. 07/25/60
Location: Carlisle, AR
Date: 2/19/2002
Time: 9:53:46 PM
Good Evening! Tom A. here a grateful sober alcoholic today by the grace of the God of My Understanding and this wonderful fellowship we call A.A. When I arrived at this fellowship, I would have to say that I was agnostic, but my understanding of God was a warped one. I readly accepted the first Step and I believe that is the one we have to take 100% for it opens the door to recovery one-day-at-a-time. Somehow, I was attracted to Step 11 and sort of left the other Steps alone, afterall the told me to Easy Does It and all those other cliches. So admitting each day that I was powerless over alcohol and that my life was unmanageable. I then practiced what Step 11 tells us to do and I agree a dictionary is helpful. It became a vital part of my morning meditation which was suggested by my many sponsors. I was told that prayer is speaking to God and that meditation was listening to God of my understanding that is and you know today I can truthfully say that I have a conscious contact with my Higher Power. I guess one of the earliest experiences was when I was able to smell the roses and see the birds. Today, if I really want God to smile at me, I simply sit on a bench at our local mall and soon and very soon a young child, usually in a stroller, will come by and smile at me and for me that is God saying hello. What I have learned in AA is that I need to look for God in ALL SITUATIONS and Step 11 has helped me to do that. Incidently, for a number of years I have used the Step & Tradition corresponding with the month of the year and use them in my daily morning devotional time. A very helpful tool. Love and prayers from an alky who cares. God Bless - Tom A
cte50203@centurytel.net
Member: Just Venting
Location: frustration
Date: 2/19/2002
Time: 10:03:00 PM
HEY, anybody here studying the books? Or are you just reading the summaries? The importance of another spiritual subject reduced to mere ideals and generalities by nescience minds of the "herd". "Very few of us know how much we have to know in order to know how little we do know" "Real knowledge is to know the extent of ones ignorance" "Once a person believes something is true,whether or not it is,he then acts as if it were.He will"instinctively" seek to collect facts to support the belief no matter how false it may be". The HERD INSTINCT at work again? "If you don't decide how to spend you life, somebody else will do it for you".Running with the herrrrd,just running with the herrrrd...
Member: kimberley
Location: wash
Date: 2/19/2002
Time: 10:54:34 PM
It says sought and just tat we cannot anaylaze it or distort it in any way for alchol is a subtle foe and there is only one do not in this program and that is DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED, and that goes for this step also so my fellows keeping seeking to improve
Member: AA MEMBER
Location: HERE
Date: 2/20/2002
Time: 8:23:24 AM
((KIMBERLY))Cannot analyze?? BB pg 53- In talking about the fundamental idea of God they said:WE found the Great Reality deep down within us.In the last (ANALYSIS) it is only there that He may be found. BB story FREEDOM FROM BONDAGE. ...nor could they have shown me the need for SELF-ANALYSIS that AA has shown me is VITAL if I am to survive.I looked around me at people who seemed happy and tried to (ANALYZE) their happiness.... There 2 other places in the BB where it suggest that we analyze certain situations. Are you one of those that says:don't analyze ,utilize? Try sudying the book! AS far as distorting spiritual things, if you had read the OLD TIMERS comment above you might have seen a "FEW" of the possibilities.
Member: Linda F.
Location: N .Y.C
Date: 2/20/2002
Time: 11:38:40 AM
Wow sought through Pray and meditation....... well I am consistently meditating in the morning for 15 to 20 minutes at nite 15 to 20 minutes and I do a tenth step with my resentments and fears listed. So I guess I truely have to let go and believe that "Thy will not mine be done" I still wan to hold on but I am prayin g to let go and to allow myself to be in the hallway for the moment. I don't know right now. There is a transformation taking place. I am sober and I beleive I am worthy of much more than... Let's just say your vision widens you have more clarity and everything opens up... So let go let God and more will be revealed I will pray for direction and trust and to remain open but true to myself and above all take it one day at a time and remember to breathe.
Member: AA MEMBER
Location: HERE
Date: 2/20/2002
Time: 6:17:05 PM
GEEEEZZ,A LOT OF INTREST IN THIS STEP ,HUH. WHERE ARE ALL THE AA MESSIAH'S,OMNISCIENT BEINGS?
Member: Steve L
Location: Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Date: 2/20/2002
Time: 8:37:04 PM
This is new to me but Im try and thats a start.
Member: Pam B
Location: Daytona Beach
Date: 2/20/2002
Time: 11:34:44 PM
Hi, I'm Pam, an alcoholic.
All the Steps prior to Step 11 show me how to take my own inventory (esp beginning w/all of Step 2 in 12&12) & identify the "blocks" (self-willed ways)to be removed that stand between God & myself.
Starting my day w/prayer thanking God for Today & asking for the Knowledge of His Will (that I don't drink nor drug - & that I live in Surrender of self-willed ways to His New Ways that I'm learning & growing in & awakening to in the Steps) ie: His Will/not mine - be done Today ...
Then sitting quiet before Him - some of the "blocks"/self-willed ways of my inventory that I need to be aware not to act in today come to mind - as well as reminder of what the New Ways are for conducting myself throughout Today instead. (ie The Knowledge of His Will for me Today)
I ask for the Power & Strength to live those New Ways Today, instead of my old self-willed ways - His Will, not mine be done - thanking Him for ability to thereby be of maxium service to Him & to those around me throughout Today.
(Pgs 86,87 BB) as I mess up during the day, stop & pray "God's Will, not mine be done" -
Before going to bed at night inventory how I did today, amends I owe, things I did do right - things I still need to work on & more growth in - thanking God for His Forgiveness & Love
As I Progress toward that IDEAL (Goal) of Perfection one day at a time - I am improving at living the New Ways, the "blocks" are getting smaller - relationship w/God is growing closer: My conscious contact w/God as I understand Him is thus improving :)
Thanks for letting me share Pam
Member: Bob B
Location: NJ
Date: 2/21/2002
Time: 7:55:08 AM
Hi everyone, my name is Bob and i am an alcoholic. D.O.S. 7/25/98 Step #11 - "Sought through Prayer and Meditation, to improve our conscious contact with God, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out."
This is a great step, first, because it brings us into a prayer life. Back in step #3, we made a decision to turn our life and will over to the care of God. In step #11, we receive our orders!! Let's look at this step and discover how it is both simple and profound. We are seeking something, seeking to improve our conscious contact with God. What does that mean? To me it means He is not in the far blue yonder, beyond reach, but right here, close where I can talk to Him and listen to Him (the Bible states that He is closer than hands and feet, and that is most close!). So, I am seeking to make this contact through Prayer and Meditation. What does this mean? To me, Prayer is talking to God, and Meditation is listening to Him! The good Lord endowed us with one mouth and two ears, which should suggest something to us!! We are enjoined- "Be Still" - and that is how we should be while listening! The answers surely will come if we but listen. Now, the step tells us what to pray for.
"Only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out." Since we submitted ourselves and turned our will and life over to the care of God in phase #2- now we ask for His orders and strength to carry them out. We are promised that He will never expect anything from us that He won't give us the power to execute.
Now then, do you see any place in the step thus far to suggest we pray for sobriety? Of course not, and it is absolutely unnecessary - you HAVE sobriety. Thank Him for it - but it is pointless to pray for what you already have The 11th step states very plainly how to pray and what to pray for!! Thanks for letting me share.
Member: bubba
Location:
Date: 2/21/2002
Time: 4:52:52 PM
i not stroke my meat know mor
Member: MEDITATION OR
Location: LISTENING
Date: 2/21/2002
Time: 7:50:40 PM
FOR THOSE THAT THINK THAT LISTENING HAS SOMETHING TO DO MEDITATION,I DON'T SEE THE CONNECTION.,YOU MIGHT WANT TO RE-THINK YOUR PLANNED RITUAL....MEDITATE, DEF,TO CONSIDER AS SOMETHING TO BE DONE OR EFFECTED;INTEND;PURPOSE. TO ENGAGE IN THOUGHT OR ACTION.to plan or intend.TO THINK DEEPLY...MEDITATION;CONTINUED OR EXTENTED THOUGHT;REFLECTION;CONTEMPLATION.A THINKING OVER...-SYN.CONTEMPLATE,PLAN,DEVISE,CONTRIVE...PONDER, MUSE,RUMINATE;COGITATE,STUDY, THINK. SEEMS LIKE IF A PERSON INTENDS TO MEDITATE FOR THE PURPOSE LISTENING FOR ANSWERS, MAYBE THATS WHY THEY DON'T GET TO "SEE" THE ANSWERS....R.O.T.
Member: Jill E.
Location: Los Angels
Date: 2/21/2002
Time: 8:28:47 PM
JIll HERE CHECKING IN FOR THE FIRST TIME. I AM SO HAPPY TO KNOW I CAN DO THIS AT WORK. IT'S PERFECT FOR ME. ONE OF THE THINGS I LOVE THE MOST ABOUT AA IS THAT I GET TO SHARE "MY" EXPERIENCE, STRENGTH AND HOPE W/OTHERS AND THEY SHARE THEIRS W/ME. THIS HAS ALLOWED MY EARS TO STAY OPEN, WHEN SOME SHARES "I" EXPERIENCED.... OR "I" BELIEVE...., THEN MY EARS STAY OPEN AND AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT BILL AND BOB FOUND TO WORK IN THE BEGINNING. ONE DRUNK SHARING W/ ANOTHER HIS "OWN" EXPERIENCE. AS OPPOSED TO ME REFERRING TO WHAT I THINK YOU SHOULD DO OR PREACHING MY OPINION TO YOU BECAUSE IT IS THEN MY EARS WILL SHUT DOWN WHEN SOMEONE APPROACHES ME LIKE THIS ABOUT ANYTHING. THE ELEVENTH STEP FOR ME IS A DIRECT CONNECT TO "A POWER GREATER THAN MYSELF" IT IS THEN WHEN I RECIEVE MESSAGES THAT SEEM TO KEEP ME ON THE PATH THAT WAS MEANT FOR ME. I LOVE THE COMMENT SOMEONE ELSE SAID ABOUT "MEDITATION IS WHEN I LISTEN TO GOD & AND PRAYER IS WHEN I TALK TO GOD." I LOVE THAT! OF COURSE IT'S WONDERFUL THAT WE CHOOSE A "GOD" OF OUR OWN UNDERSTANDING. WHICH FOR ME IS THE DIVINE AND POWERFUL UNIVERSE. IT WORKS FOR ME. I USED TO FIND MYSELF GETTING CONFUSED A LOT IN THE BEGINNING OF THIS JOURNEY. I NOW REALIZE THAT A LOT OF THE INFORMATION I WAS HEARING WAS OPINIONS. SO, I TRY MY BEST TO PREFACE MY OPINIONS WITH "MY OPINION IS... OR MY FEELING IS..ETC. THE BIG BOOK IS A RELIABLE FRIEND. WHEN I'M NOT SURE, I CHECK THE BIG BLUE. THE ORIGINAL AND BLESSED MESSAGE. MORE AND MORE EVERYDAY I'M UNDERSTANDING MORE DEEPLY THE MEANING OF "DAILY REPRIEVE" EACH DAY I THANK GOD FOR THIS DAYS SOBRIETY AND PRAY FOR HIS GUIDANCE THROUGH THE NEXT. I HAVE NEVER EVER FELT BETTER OR MORE CONSISTANTLY CONNECTED TO A DIVINE POWER. I LOVE YOU ALL FOR BEING A PART OF THIS, WE NEVER HAVE TO BE ALONE AGAIN!!!!
Member: Leif B.
Location: Around And Around
Date: 2/22/2002
Time: 4:20:00 AM
Leif here,Alkie .Some great shares here.
For me , I find , now , that Step Eleven involves facing and accepting Reality , regardless of how I may feel , or think about it . "Elective Shock not Electroshock" if you will : In other words ,I can be in this Living Moment only if I WAKE UP and I must CHOOSE to do so .(Whoever said there are no "Musts" in AA was full of it ! The Big Book and Step Book are so full of "Musts " they're MUSTY!) I find that so-called "tragedy" ,"Illness", "Misfortune"and so on are, or CAN be ,Gifts towards Awareness, but I can regard them as such and , perhaps , soften their impact on the wittle psyche of my "Inner Brat" when I "Show Up To Grow Up."And , much as my absurd Alkie Ego loathes the idea even now , after a "few 24 hrs." ,I must ask for help doing this , because I am , when my alcoholic mind is 'left to it's own demise', Lazy , Impatient , and Self - Centred in the Extreme !
My Higher Power , I feel , tends use more drastic measures to get my attention when subtler means have failed . If I just drove 'somewhere' aimlessly , with no idea where you I'm going and refuse to read the map or look at roadsigns , I'll end up right back where I started : Nowhere.
If I'm "Talkin' the Talk" , but not "Walkin' the Walk" ,I'm just Sqaukin'! My Talk can be good , but my Walk has been ,"God" knows ,and is , quite wobbly betimes .
I kind of like what a fellow on the Coffeepot Page said : Your Higher Power Responds To 'Knee-Mail.'
"Wheel's a' Turnin' and You Can't Slow Down ; You Can't Let Go and You Can't Hold On ; You Can't Go Back and You Can't Stand Still ; -- If the Thunder Don't Getcha Then the Lightnin' Will - !
Would'nt You Try Just a Little Bit Harder -? Could'nt You Try Just a Little Bit More - ? 'Round..'Round , Robin Run 'Round . Got to Get Back to Where You Belong ; -- A Little Bit Harder Just A Little Bit More .. Just A Little Bit Closer Than You Were Before."
-- Grateful Dead :"The Wheel."
Member: clear eyes
Location: out of the woods
Date: 2/22/2002
Time: 6:08:55 AM
Wondering,a dictionary will not get you consious contact,or explain how to get it.Your sponser must run on self knowlage.Try asking GOD for the release of alcoholism,when it is removed,contact has been made.But only a begining.
Member: DJ
Location: ND
Date: 2/22/2002
Time: 10:39:05 AM
I think im slowly understanding how selfcentered i am the longer im sober but i believe thats part of who i am and my only chance to remain sober is to be relieved of that and i guess ive heard that only God can do that.so i try daily to talk to my higher power and i believe he talks to me thrugh the circumstances in my life or through other people,the longer ive been sober the less i know for "sure" it seems, but i do know for sure that there is such thing as unconditional love and the first time i felt that was in AA,so with our weakness we are connected not our strengths and my higher power uses my weakness to show his never ending Grace in me and so i do believe in the progrss not perfection in all things in my life and to pray for willingness.
Member: amy warhol
Location:
Date: 2/22/2002
Time: 4:56:26 PM
i hate deadheads they suck
Member: Jack S.
Location: Oklahoma
Date: 2/22/2002
Time: 5:25:23 PM
To me the key word is to "improve". I used to complicate this step, now I just do my best everyday to stay sober and be as happy as I can at each momment. Improvement comes about by praciticing, which for me is practicing the steps and listening to what others have to say.
Member: Jeff
Location: Ne.
Date: 2/22/2002
Time: 8:59:21 PM
Step 11- is clearly outlined for me on pg`s 86,87,88 in the big book. I try to follow this plan of action on a daily bacis, some days are better than others. "thy will be done" I simply as my self what would god do in this situation.Usually the right thoughts or actions will follow.
Member: Mr. Anonymous
Location: 2689 Ridgecrest Drive, Wadsworth
Date: 2/23/2002
Time: 3:46:31 AM
Step 11... one of my favorites. But, know what? Even though it is one of my favorites, I seem to be in a 'dry period' right now where I find it difficult to get on my knees in the morning and ask for help and get back on my knees at night and thank my HP for doing for me what I could not (would not?) do for myself during each day. I seem to be very preoccupied with myself.
Thanks for letting me share. Maybe by being honest about step 11 this morning, I will be able to get back 'in the groove' real soon. :-)
Member: Shellie
Location: Detroit, MI
Date: 2/23/2002
Time: 7:53:45 PM
this is the step, I work everyday. Keeping in contact with my higher power, helps me to be humbe, and remember i don't run the show, the 11th step prayer comes in handly, let me do for others,while my higher power does for me.
Member: Christine C.
Location: home group CAKIMA
Date: 2/23/2002
Time: 9:00:32 PM
Hi, I'm alcoholic, and my name is Christine. I just received my II year coin last night! But, I always have to remember I am no further away from a drink than the newest newcomer. I Thank God he pushed me into the door of the AA fellowship. I have a real tough time practicing step 11 in my every day life. But, it says beginning on 449(ed.3) Today I must accept LIFE ON LIFE's terms ONE DAY AT A TIME. In step 11, we slow down, take ourselves out of the driver's seat, and set a time to seek God's will. One of my sponcer's told me that "PRAYING IS TALKING TO GOD AND MEDITATING IS LISTENING TO GOD" she also says that if you have a hard time with a step than take a step backwards and work on the step before.
Thanks for letting me share!
Member: Jeannette Sink
Location: S.C. hometown/The Navigator home at sea
Date: 2/24/2002
Time: 2:55:12 AM
Hello fellow AA's. I am in the middle of the South Pacific on a ship with no AA meetings onboard. It is dry on the high seas! I am dependent upon my conscience contact (being in the NOW)with my HP. I do not know why or how it works but praying each morning the 3rd Step Prayer, Serenity Prayer and the 7th Step Prayer keeps me from a drink. I am not always sure what God's will is for me except I do think God is somewhat like a father watching his children at play: He does not care what we do as long as we are safe and happy. I know in my heart and mind when I am safe and happy so I must at that moment be in God's will. Grateful for God's Grace and one more day of soberity! Jeannette
Member: AnilG
Location: Mt Vernon,IL
Date: 2/24/2002
Time: 5:33:42 AM
To me the key word is to "improve" with faith and trust in your higher power. I used to complicate this step, now I just do my best everyday to stay sober and be as happy as I can at each momment.triggers that made me drink in the past I resolve by meditation and prayers Improvement comes about by praciticing, which for me is practicing the steps and listening to what others have to say.
Member: Stew E
Location: Fl
Date: 2/24/2002
Time: 11:35:48 AM
Stew E, Alcoholic
Prayer can take place in a car while driving or behind a desk. Just moments are needed. Even my pastor says going to church, giving $ or time will not make up for His sacrafice.
At least that's how I see it, thanks.