Member: Jenn P.
Location: Poconos
Date: 4/1/01
Time: 11:54:44 AM
Good morning! Jenn here- an alcoholic who is happy joyous and free as the result of the steps. Working with others is the best part of what I do all day. When I am trying to help another alcoholic, all my petty problems seem to melt away, and I am filled with gratitude for the miraculous gift of sobriety my Higher Power has given me. The gifts of sponsorship and friendship I have found in this program are the best! Trying to practice these principles in all my affairs makes me thin of "What an order! I can't go through with it", but I do. I try one day at a time, and I need to have had that spiritual awakening to remain willing and teachable. I keep on learning how to live in accordance with the will of my Higher Power. The answers for me are always in the steps and the Big Book, as long as I am willing to hear them. I have a life today that Inever thought I could have. I fuuly expected to be dead by now, back when I was drinking, and that seemed like a relief! Instead I have been given a whole new life free from the slavery to alcohol. I cannot thank you all enough. I come to this forum regularly to read all your wonderful sharing, and it helps me to stay on the path. Thanks to all the people in the rooms and my Higher Power, I am off to enjoy another great day of sobriety. TATA!
Member: LU-LU ALCOHOLIC
Location:
Date: 4/1/01
Time: 1:23:06 PM
PRINCIPLES BEFORE PERSONALITIES...even before my own personality...
Member: A.A. (13TH STEP POLICE)
Location:
Date: 4/1/01
Time: 5:51:08 PM
put the big book down and step away from the new comer
Member: A.A. (13TH STEP POLICE)
Location:
Date: 4/1/01
Time: 5:51:11 PM
put the big book down and step away from the new comer
Member: A.A. (13TH STEP POLICE)
Location:
Date: 4/1/01
Time: 5:51:12 PM
put the big book down and step away from the new comer
Member: Tony
Location: Chi-town
Date: 4/1/01
Time: 7:21:26 PM
Hi Tony alcoholic !!12 step to me is a reward for all the hard work in this program it's the time you get to give back what was given to me freely passing on what i have learned dedicating my life to helping others passing the the program on to the new comers .Thank you Jenn for your enthusiasm you really reminded me of how good it is today !! God bless and i'll keep coming back !!!
Member: Adam H.
Location: Nagano, JAPAN
Date: 4/1/01
Time: 7:48:08 PM
Adam, alcoholic.
You know what the greatest spiritual awakening was for me? It was realizing that I could live sober inside my own skin and be happy. When I first came in to AA, I wanted one thing...to not be bored. Hell, I'm so far from bored I can't believe it! I've discovered that not drinking a day ata time and practicing these principles in all my affairs is actually a full time job. Not only that, but the adventures and experiences that I have had carrying the message to newcomers have been more fulfilling and rewarding than anything I EVER experienced drinking. Even when the person I am carring the message to does not stay sober--if I didn't drink, it was a successful twelfth step job. My life is very full, and I am happy living this way.
Grateful to be sober and alive!
Member: APRIL
Location: FOOLS
Date: 4/1/01
Time: 8:36:12 PM
APRIL FOOLS APRIL FOOLS
Member: migel
Location:
Date: 4/1/01
Time: 9:18:10 PM
hey big boy
Member: Mike L.
Location: NW Iowa, USA
Date: 4/1/01
Time: 10:22:05 PM
Mike, Alky.
Tough one, that spiritual awakening being AS A RESULT of these steps.
I can identify with the newcomers who come in and say "Oh, I've had one of THOSE...That's why I'm here." Spiritual EXPERIENCES perhaps, but not the one this step is talking about, I think.
The awakening for me was when I found I could sit and listen and talk to an alky, practicing or not, and lose all thought of myself except to identify with what was being said.
Don't get me wrong...I have a TON of work to do on the principles before personalities! I butt heads with others in AA all the time...Almost always with people who insist they have the ONLY answer.
But I really do feel that connection, that awareness that comes when I try to carry the message to another alcoholic...Hopefully, just as it was brought to me not so long ago. It has everything to do with hope and the promise of a better way of living...
Thanks for letting me share. Mike L.
Member: Stan M
Location: Findlay, OH
Date: 4/2/01
Time: 12:28:06 AM
Hi Everybody, Stan, Alcoholic.
Let's see, the 12th Step. Well, after 12 years, maybe I'm ready to look at that one :) I did real well when I was 12 days sober. Somewhere in the interim, I've found that I don't know everything.
I think part of the awakening for me was when I finally saw the words "as a result of these Steps." Before that, I was ready to go "save the world." I was an excellent 2-Stepper. One and Twelve were definitely enough. Not so today.
I've come up the hard way in AA. I've not, so far, had to take a drink, but I've had more emotional "bottoms" than I can count. Mostly because I sat in meetings and tried to live on the "fellowship" without practicing the "program." I was a great one for listening to the "I think you should..." and the "in my opinion..." that came out around the tables. Somehow, that never worked. I guess we all that advice is free, and it's usually worth the price.
In the last few years, I've come to understand that this program is contained between the covers of the Big Book. There's a sentence in the Forward to the First Edition that reads "To show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered is the main purpose of this book." That means working the Steps. It also means that the implied promise of the 12th Step will come true for me: I will have a Spiritual Awakening.
It's strange, after all these years, I'm finally getting what I thought I had when I first came to AA. I thought that since I'd been in a unit, and "educated" in alcoholism, I knew all there was to know. AA has taught me that I know nothing, but if I'm willing to "seek" the God of my understanding will give me what I lack. He will manage my life as He wills. As a result, I will "practice these principles in all my affairs." So as I understand it, the 12th Step is only the natural result of the other eleven.
Thanks for letting me share.
Member: lu-lu
Location:
Date: 4/2/01
Time: 1:38:54 AM
i have a pubic hair stuck in my throat
Member: N Xposur
Location: God's Country
Date: 4/2/01
Time: 11:32:47 AM
To lu-lu: I hope it makes you want to throw-up the way you make me want to throw-up. I suggest you attempt to grow-up or get out. Your a scourge to those who come here in sincerity and with willingness. Which is apparently your goal. What you thrive on. I feel sorry for you.....as you are apparently one of those who are constitutionally incapable.....who suffers from grave emotional and mental disorders. May God help you as you apparently cannot help yourself.
Member: J.R.
Location: Midwest
Date: 4/2/01
Time: 1:25:28 PM
ignoring thoughtless comments is the best way to deal with ignorance. The steps are very important to me. I'm not near the 12 step yet and have to remain focused on what's in front of me... Steps 1,2, and 3. I'm just happy to be here alive and sober. If I do not work the steps and go to meetings regularly, I will surely fail.
Member: Tony-da-duck
Location: Bostown
Date: 4/2/01
Time: 1:54:32 PM
I,m here for me. PERIOD!
Member: AnilG
Location: Mt Vernon,Illinois
Date: 4/2/01
Time: 2:16:12 PM
my name is anio I am an alcoholic after I had learned and admitted that after all there is HP first i felt the spirituality. eversince I have kept the spirituality within me and try to live that life and contiue my meditation and help others too inthe process.
Member: AnilG
Location: Mt Vernon,Illinois
Date: 4/2/01
Time: 2:16:14 PM
my name is anio I am an alcoholic after I had learned and admitted that after all there is HP first i felt the spirituality. eversince I have kept the spirituality within me and try to live that life and contiue my meditation and help others too inthe process.
Member: CR
Location: MANCHESTER C.T.
Date: 4/2/01
Time: 5:39:04 PM
hi im new at sharing my alcholism with the out side world,ive read some of the comments and it is inspiring to kwow that there are people that have been sober for so long. this will be a new begining for me I dont know how to stay sober on the day that my body and mind yearn for the feeling it gives me but today i have decided that im going to try again . i make it a month or two but the desire is always there lurking to catch me off guard, so i comend those of you that are able to get through each day.
Member: Scott R
Location: Halifax, NS
Date: 4/2/01
Time: 6:28:03 PM
Not complicating things is one of the most important things for me with the twelth step. I have to remember that as long as I work the steps and do what I'm supposed to do I WILL carry that message to another.
For me to experience the spiritual awakening is a continual experience. It goes hand in hand with taking action on the other steps. In the beginning I thought these 12 steps were all seperate and each had their own reward but after kicking around for a few years I can see how coneccted they all are.
To get to the twelth step I have to work it everyday no matter what I'm faced with. To maintain the spiritual awakening is not easy but well worth it.
Member: Donnie M(dos3-1-99)
Location: W.Va.
Date: 4/2/01
Time: 6:36:57 PM
Hi, all I`m Donnie an I am a alcoholic. This step came to me one day when , I was ask to close the meeting with the lord`s prayer. I can`nt put to word`s what or how I felt after this day. I do know one thing when I left the meeting that day the craving`s have not been as bad and I just know that GOD answered may prayer that day. I thank GOD everyday for the life he has given me. Thank`s for listening. GOD BLESS ALL WHO TRY.
Member: Anonymous
Location:
Date: 4/2/01
Time: 6:58:31 PM
Step 12, Having had a spiritual awakining as a result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs."
I've gone to many a AA. meeting, and I, as one that has had a spiritual awakining as a result of these steps, must make it plain that it wasn't the steps themselves that produced a spiritual awakining within me, but what the steps therein contain. The steps themselves do not enlighten; the steps themselves, have no power; the steps themselves, have no kingdom or glory to boast themselves of. Nor did they ever intend to be given such high honor. Round and round on the steps and I'm no better off than before, unless, I begin to branch out even as the steps suggest. When I am told to make the decision to turn my will and my life over to the care of God I must needs set aside that that now has the control of my life, which is myself, and the world, and take up and begin the newness of life and these steps that God has ordained that we are even to walk in. These steps are much different than the twelve steps of the program, these be the steps of Christ and the imitation of his life, That life that we are to conform ourselves to, that we, even like as He was, will be well pleasing to the Father by his steps. Indeed the steps of Christ are referenced to or refered to in the program by its steps. It could be called The Steps, that lead to The Steps, which are the Steps that we are to walk in. The program tells us we are "ready to take certain steps" These certain steps lead us to the Steps that are Certain, of the which I speak, the steps of Christ, and make clear that the spiritual awakining or regereration that I have received was not aquired within the steps of the program themselves as if they had power to enlighten which many seem to say they do when I hear them speak in meetings. For if the steps could produce the desired end, that is, a spiritual awakining, then, not only the bible, I would not even have need God. And this then is the message that I try to carry to alcoholics, that it does work, and also that: Untill we open the bible, and look into it, More will not be Revealed, that is, if we are still remaining bogged down in the steps of the program themselves that point to the steps of Christ, for until we do understand this connection, we will still be just as jittery and befogged as before!....
Member: Real AA
Location: Has no Religious BS
Date: 4/2/01
Time: 9:55:11 PM
You're full of shit.
Member: charles m
Location: corcoran ca
Date: 4/3/01
Time: 1:48:02 AM
i agree with real aa because religion has no place in the program. and yes you are fully full of shit!
Member: ChuckM
Location: Alberta
Date: 4/3/01
Time: 4:55:52 AM
I'm Chuck,an alcoholic.
Step 12. As a result of doing the steps I have a spiritual awakening. Page 29 BB states that further on clear cut directions are given. Each step gives me a direction.
Step 11 is the daily spiritual step of AA. I am directed to do God's will. Doing step 12 is God's will.
The message I carry to suffering alcoholics is that you need a spiritual awakening but don't panic we have 12 steps to do this, if you want what we have.
In dealing with all people God does not want me to hurt them. Fairly simple when I keep close to Him.
Peace and Serenity
Member: Paul S
Location: Houston
Date: 4/3/01
Time: 6:28:06 AM
Hi my name is Paul S. This is my first time on this site. I've gone to several AA meetings in the past and am now starting again from day one. I'm glad that a lot of you have made it to step 12, it gives me encouragement that someday I can be there too.
Member: Pam B
Location: Daytona Beach, FL
Date: 4/3/01
Time: 10:34:42 AM
Hi, I'm Pam, an alcoholic, The Spiritual Awakening for me is the result of applying/taking the action of each step in the order they are given. When I see that I am fearful, worried, stressing over a situation, and I apply Acceptance, asking God to do His Will & grant me Acceptance of whatever that may turn out to be - I am filled with Peace inspite of the storm - I have TRUST that whatever the outcome, it is what God's Best for me is in one way or another & that I am going to learn, grow, benefit in some way from it. As I continued on thru the Steps, the action of each step results in these NEW ways I perceive, think, handle life on life's terms. The changes in me from what I'd seen in Step 4, and took the action of Steps 5 thru 9 for those changes to be made in me, are all the process of this Spiritual Awakening in me, developing my personal relationship with God and living His Ways rather than my own without Him.
I am always in awe (Gratitude to God) and amazed at these changes in me that I know well were never me in the past - esp ability to care about others instead of the apathetic indifference I'd had toward everyone other than if they had something I could take for me in one way or another. Awakening to ability to grow Spiritually in this program is a GIFT - an Adventure that always continues and leaves me always in AWE - a natural "high" that far surpasses the counterfeit highs any drugs or booze had ever produced for me.
Amazed before we are half-way thru - my continued amazement at this reminds me I am as yet before the half-way mark in my journey of growing Spiritually, even after all these years of growing one day at a time, and nothing is more exciting to me than the awareness of that. Thank you for letting me share. Pam
Member: jj
Location: sc
Date: 4/3/01
Time: 5:27:35 PM
"What he has received is a free gift, and yet usually, at least in some small part, he has made himself ready to receive it. AA's manner of making ready to receive this gift lies in the practice of the Twelve Steps in our program." page 107, 12&12
Sometimes I wonder if the steps are God's way of keeping me busy and out of the way so the miracle can happen.
I didn't believe in miracles when I came to AA. Then one sober day I realized I was one.
Member: William .A.
Location: High-Point
Date: 4/3/01
Time: 7:31:37 PM
Hello,William,A.Alkie.
Lest all try to do something that has been hard forsome people who have entered the rooms of A/A. carry it's messsage to the still sick and suffering .
What is it's message ,is it my story do I speack of hope do I give experience a little streignth or do I bragg about how bad I thought I wasefore I landednto the rooms of A/A.
Please someone explain to me what is this message. Sober for nearly (10) years threw the steps of A/A.
Member: Michael B.
Location: AZ
Date: 4/4/01
Time: 12:10:25 AM
Hi! My name is Michael, and I am a recovering alcoholic and addict, sober today only by the Grace of God and the Fellowship. Welcome newcomers! Thanks to those who genuinely shared!
I'm going to restrict my comments to one aaspect of the first part of this Step, i.e. having had a spiritual awakening. Specifically, one great thing about this spiritual awakening for me is tapping that "unsuspected inner resource," which I call God.
Coming from the Christian tradition, I call this inner resource the "living well," and it's the place within me where I find joy. Recently, I have noticed more deeply that this inner resource is there every day for me, which, among other things, suggests my own innocence as opposed to the guilt, shame, and remorse, I've been so familiar with through the years.
Member: Sheheh C.
Location: Flagstaff, AZ
Date: 4/4/01
Time: 2:23:56 PM
"I am responsible...When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help, I want the hand of AA always to be there, and for that; I am responsible." It is a great feeling in my heart to share my experience, strength, and hope to my fellow brothers and sisters. I enjoy seeing the recovery happening in the other person's eyes. There's hope!
Member: Harry K.
Location: United Kingdom
Date: 4/4/01
Time: 9:55:56 PM
One word never found in our Basic text is "sponsor". It's easy to misinterperit step 12 as being a call to arms in an effort to "get out and sponsor" or worse yet, preach!
Step 12 tells me to carry the message to other alcoholics......... I can (and do) that by going to meetings and sharing my experience, strength and hope. Not my opinions.
More important, it reminds me of the real meat of this step...."Practicing principals"! That's the part I need to focus on. By practicing the 12 principals as best I can on any given day that each step represents, I will be in much better condition to help myself and my fellow members. It also keeps me close to the GOD of my understanding.
But there's something else.... What "principals" are we talking about? They're not listed anywhere. So what principals am I supposed to practice? The principals I was told to practice were: 1) Honesty or SELF Honesty 2) Hope 3) Faith 4) Courage 5) Integrity 6) Willingness 7) Humility 8) Forgiveness 9) Discipline 10) Perseverance 11) Spirituality or God conciousness 12) Service None of these principals confine me to just try and employ them in A.A. To me, they represent a good foundation for living sober and being a tool in whatever God would like me to be. I'll never be perfect and I also know I will never reach the high ideal my "perfectionist" mind would want me to achieve, but I need to pratice these pricipals, not perfect them.
My take on having had a "spiritual awakening" as the result of these steps is in complete contrast to my own (and BILL's)experience. I had my first awakening when I did step 1. After that, I was treated to numerous other "awakenings" along the way, It didn't hit me as a reward when I got to step 12. After reaching step 12 I turned back and simply worked them again by practicing the principals. As for Bill, it's important to remember Bill was the "Promoter" of A.A, he was a word merchant. It was the good doctor who kept him humble. Bill never did the 12 steps (neither did Bob, he did the 6 from the Oxford group) Bill had his "spiritual experience" or "Awakening" while drying out from his last drunk in towns hospital. The point is, when you get it, pass it on and practice it.
Member: Tina M
Location: Phoenix AZ
Date: 4/5/01
Time: 1:14:59 AM
LuLu
I love what you said about principles before personalities- ESPECIALLY my own personality! Amazing how we hear (or read) just what we need Thanks Lulu and Thank you God!!
Member: Tina M
Location: Phoenix AZ
Date: 4/5/01
Time: 1:20:06 AM
LuLu
I love what you said about principles before personalities- ESPECIALLY my own personality! Amazing how we hear (or read) just what we need Thanks Lulu and Thank you God!!
Member: ben
Location:
Date: 4/5/01
Time: 2:30:34 PM
lu-lu and tina
i have a big boner.
Member: Priscilla K
Location: Vermont
Date: 4/5/01
Time: 3:57:00 PM
Dear Ben, I have only responded to this site a few times, however, it appears you have more than an alcohol problem. Why infect this site with your vulgarity when people are trying to get help, stay focused and healthy. There are many other sites that you can respond to that would be more appropriate to your demented, sick comments. I'd like to feel sorry for you but you're a sorry enough soul in yourself. Put your pitiful energy to those who are like you, not people who are healthy.
Member: rachel
Location:
Date: 4/5/01
Time: 10:46:52 PM
Hi, I'm Rachel an alcoholic. I love my spiritual awakening. My program is based on handing my will and life over to a higher power that I call God. By just showing the willingness to try my life has changed in ways I never imagined. My life is beyond my wildest dreams. But ist's still hard, challenging. I still have so much anger and people problems. Still with feeling problems. I just threw the phone across the room, yelled at someone who called for help. I carry this message to other alcoholics by showing up at meetings and trying to get better. I phone for help and some phone me. By my trying to live a spiritual program I hope that it's benefits are passed onto others. I try to stick with the winners. Do what people did who have what I want. I have a lot of work to do to give as much as I have received. But I'll keep coming back. Thanks for letting me share. God, AA are the best things that ever happened to me. I have a chance now. Rachel
Member: jj
Location:
Date: 4/5/01
Time: 10:56:50 PM
jj
Member: don
Location: vancouver
Date: 4/6/01
Time: 5:46:54 PM
I find that this step, like all the others is hard work for me. I have to think about it, Reflect on it. I listen to what others have to say and then I remember that my HP is how I understand that HP to be. Perhaps not at all like the HP I was taught about as a child and... if I really think about it not all like the HP that I hear about at meetings. I am working hard at coming to inderstand what I think about a spiritual life and it really is what I think. I find it a little scarey at times to take responsibility for my thoughts and beliefs.
Member: Sarah
Location: NW USA
Date: 4/6/01
Time: 9:01:55 PM
i would like to share a story of a 12th step experience. It was at an early morning meeting, one of those 6:30 ones. A new comer showed up, so everyone shared their experience, strength and hope, their own story. Had a special spiritual awakening at that meeting... it was like everyone was talking not from their "bodies" but from their "healing spirits within", it was on a different plane... truely on a "'WE' having had a spiritual awakening as the results of the steps, 'WE' tried to carry this message to alcohlics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs" To me this is the special gift AA has given me, 'WE' spiritual experiences. Thanks!!! Today is my 4 year birthday, never had 4 years before, the most was 3 years bithday. I keep coming back for more. Thank you all for this cyber meeting!
Member: dave z
Location: berkley mi
Date: 4/7/01
Time: 1:07:25 AM
hi! i'm dave, an alcoholic. My awakening? As the big book says, when i honestly believed "what God was doing for me, what i couldn't do for myself." The third step allows us to trust God, this step rewards us. Thanks
Member: boner ben
Location:
Date: 4/7/01
Time: 1:38:27 AM
priscilla,
you like it and you know it,dont play prude with me missy......tee-he-he-he-ha-ha
Member: Missy R.
Location: NC
Date: 4/7/01
Time: 2:22:39 AM
Hi everyone, I am Missy, alcoholic and addict. I am no where near this 12th step however I do have a comment. I was almost dead 15 days ago when my best friend helped me to see what I was doing to myself. He joined AA years ago and is still sober. He talked me thru that first night without and got me to NA the next day and AA the day after. Without that 12th step he might not have done that. I thank God daily for sending him to me to show me where I was going. He still talks to me daily sometimes all night to make sure I am making it. To me that is exactly what the 12th step is. I am clean and I am sober for the first time in 15 years and without God, without AA, without my friend, I wouldn't be here. I am going to meetings everyday but at night when I am alone and scared I am here, reading your comments and learning and praying. So thank you all for being here for this newcomer.
Member: Rich R, slowly recovering compulsive person :-)
Location: detroit
Date: 4/7/01
Time: 7:23:48 AM
Step 12? I gave an AA a ride home this past Wednesday, does that count?
Member: julie
Location: ibiza
Date: 4/7/01
Time: 12:04:23 PM
Julie alcoholic, Spiritual awakening for me is a process,something special,that grows day by day,a relationship,with a higher power,that is unique to me it does not have to be the same as anybody elses ,a higher power that works through meetings, my sponsor,people inside and outside meetings. Carrying the message by going to meetings and peole noticing the change in me that has only occured by staying sober a day at a time,something that was not possible before when drinking.Thanks AA and to my higher power.
Member: dave z
Location: berkley mi
Date: 4/7/01
Time: 12:20:51 PM
Rich R....... It's not if it counts or not, it's if YOU feel it counts or not.
Member: happy one
Location: out here
Date: 4/7/01
Time: 5:06:30 PM
After many years of service and arrying the message in my mouth and helping all the newcomers I could stomach, I came to realize I had work to do on myself and only because I was desperately trying to find what was missing in my sobriety did I embark on the truth about me. I was hung up in passing it on and didn't even have it! Still am working hard on my parts today and do not seek out ways to embellish my success at sobriety. !0 yers later I am finding peace of mind. And every now and then a person in need crosses my path that I can tell my story to. I no longer go to meetings looking to vicariously feel better than sorry sap still suffering. It works for me...
Member: Marcel
Location: Alberta
Date: 4/8/01
Time: 12:05:21 AM
Hi,Marcel alcoholic.86 days sobber by the grace of God."Julie",I liked your comments on spiritual awakening.Thats how I feel it is for me too. Thanks to all of you out there and shareing. It gets pritty lonely out here sometimes,cant always get to a meeting,but one day at a time!God bless us all!