Member: L-RAY
Location: SCOTLAND
Date: 11 May 2003
Time: 12:04:27
When i practice this step in my daily life ,i try to pass on what was given to me when first came here! i know to-day that god is with me and if i can carry the message to alcoholics at meets and twelve step visits! then i am doing what is asked of me! i try to practice these principles to the best of my abilty! in my home and at my work and in my every day living! sometimes i fall short! but i just try my best. Regards L-RAY
Member: Shelli
Location: Oregon
Date: 11 May 2003
Time: 17:14:58
The twelfth step is so beautiful in that by the time we've reached it, we're changed from the inside out. There are so many ways to utilize and practice this step, from setting up rooms, washing cups, to greeting people or just not "running from the room "when the meeting is over,but standing there,even smiling at someone if you can't think of anything to say. Honestly, that's how I had to start. With newcomers, I try to listen. Practicing these principles means acting like the person I've learned to be, inside and outside of the rooms.
Member: Annie Y
Location: New Hampshire, USA
Date: 11 May 2003
Time: 20:21:33
Without the twelfth step there would be sooo many people dying from alcoholism. I have been fortunate enough to stay sober long enough to help many other alcoholics find there way into AA. I hold no expectations because this disease a cunning baffling insideous disease and some will make it for a long time, some for a brief time, and some will never survive this disease. That's why the hand of AA should always be out to the still sick and suffering alcoholic. If not for step 12, I surely would have died. Thaqnk you all and thank you God! Annie Y
Member: Cynthia H.
Location: Texas
Date: 11 May 2003
Time: 20:49:39
Cynthia i'm an alcoholic I had a spiritual awakening as a result of the steps and the beauty of this wonderful program is as long as I do the steps I keep having these awakenings.It is so easy to get stale in this program and I am grateful for our founders wisdom. If I practice these principles in all my affairs to the best of my ability that day and try to carry the message to those who want it then I get most everything I ever wanted in life. Simple but not easy. I sure like the results who knew the hard road would be the best one.
Member: Kim
Location: kvaughn@madison.main.nc.us
Date: 11 May 2003
Time: 22:23:37
Kim here alcoholic. I find such joy and giving back to another who is still suffers from this diease. A lot of times they don't get it and I only plant a few seeds but on the rare occasions that they do make it, what a wonderful feeling of joy. It also is a big part of keeping me sober. I have had a few people from this site email me and have sponsored them temporarly. I do practice all the principles and I am not perfect but am making much progress. thanks for being here.
Member: T-Bone
Location: S. Fl
Date: 12 May 2003
Time: 06:26:37
To those who preceeded me. Thanks for 12 stepping me today. God bless and have a great 24.
Member: mike r.
Location: mount forest , ont .canada
Date: 12 May 2003
Time: 14:39:50
Am Mike a greatful recovering alcoholic. I think have at the Step twelve because I have just now been able to turn matter over to the higher power. Plus I have a friend who called me up one afternoon and asked me to bring her to a meeting and asked me to be her temp sponsor which I said yes to
Member: AZbill
Location: az-bill@mindspring.com
Date: 12 May 2003
Time: 14:50:41
Hi Bill here. Alcoholic from Arizona. The spiritual awakening is a result. We don't even have to think about it. It happens automatically. Provided one works the Steps precisely as the first 100 did. The very first words in the instructions for taking Step 12 tell us that nothing will insure immunity from drinking as intensive work with other alcoholics. Our third legacy...Service. It goes way beyond making coffee and emptying ashtrays. Thanks Love you all.. Bill
Member: Craig L (dogmanor@yahoo.com)
Location: Aloha, Oregon
Date: 12 May 2003
Time: 15:53:48
I jumped into 12th step work as soon as possible for all the wrong reasons. I secretaried, gave rides, visited institutions, etc... I wanted to be accepted, I want approval, I wanted to demonstrate what a good AA I was. LOL. The funny thing was I stayed sober and not only that, but I found a Peace I had never known. I can't think my way into sobriety. My brain still pumps out a lot of BS, telling me I know something, but I am soon miserable again if I am not trying to help the newcomer. Our program provides countless was to be of service.
Member: Larry M.
Location: Texas, USA
Date: 12 May 2003
Time: 23:16:15
Hi, I'm Larry a grateful recovering alcoholic, sober today only by the grace of God and the miracle of Alcoholics Anonymous. I certainly need these meetings and do appreciate your stories. I do remember that years ago before being ready to carry the message to others, my sponsor suggested taking others to meetings so that they could hear the message. Spending more time with my family was suggested as well as remembering, that at work though I didn't always agree with the boss, he was the boss. My life and recovery still depends on my sharing my story of recovery to any alcoholic who wants it. It is a real honor and pleasure to hear people tell me that they want what I've got and to have children and grandchildren who want to spend time with me. Thanks for allowing me to share. AA gives us a chance for a new life. Consistent attendence at meetings, sponsorship and being willing to learn to trust a higher power has been the key to my continued recovery. Giving away what I've been given so freely is a pleasure.
Member: carlc
Location: texas
Date: 13 May 2003
Time: 01:51:14
bill wilson said in as bill sees it that aa was but a spritual kindergarten after taking the steps the way they are outlined in the book i did have a spiritual awakening but that was only the beginning of this spiritual journey and it has been an awesome esperience and continues to be today i have a good life because today i am seeking God istead of his blessings like i was before i dont sponsor people in the way that it is done today the way i do the 12th step is the way the book says to do it another alcoholic took time out of his life ot take me through the book and thats what i do i avail my self to take any one anytime anywhere through the book if they are ready to go through with the process
Member: Vee
Location: Midwest
Date: 13 May 2003
Time: 07:56:31
First step of Step 12 for me was making coffee and cleaning up. Then I learned to use a phone. Now I can sit with another and converse reasonably about the Program of AA. Someday I will be able to actually carry the message. I haven't seen a burning bush but hear the message of my HP through voices in the rooms and around the tables. This message is Her will for me. Step 12 is not the end of the process, but the beginning of a new start each 24. Thanks for being here for me. I need you all.
Member: SuzyQnj
Location: NJ
Date: 13 May 2003
Time: 11:13:06
Hi, feel like I am nowhere near the 12th step today. No spiritual awakenings here, not today anyhow. I haven't done all the steps yet so I kow more will be revealed. Haven't really had the opportunity tohelp any new comers in a while, guess I should get out more. My first experiance at a spiritual awakening...it's not going to be handed to me, I have to want it and then I have to go get it. Sue
Member: Gary M
Location: Ottawa Canada
Date: 13 May 2003
Time: 21:55:01
I try an practice the princples of love and understanding with everyone I come in contact with and am not always successful which proves that I am not perfect but perfectly human!!!
Member: Mark M
Location: Albany, New York
Date: 14 May 2003
Time: 16:22:04
Mark, alcoholic! O.K. I'm checking this one out as well since I've maybe over-indulged on the discussion side, but I see some others have as well. Anyways, I'm at a point where I see the steps as not only simplistic yet as base from which to work towards spiritual growth. The fact that I help others, or at least try to, for a living is not a cop-out, but a simple fact. The part that no human being does perfectly is live these principles in all our daily affairs! My spirituality has evolved into soooo much more than that anyways that I basically see all of the steps as just a simple framework for the much larger picture of life and life hereafter. I'm very blessed to have the life here on earth that I do, but I also had to do some hard footwork to get here and I get way more of a pay-off from helping others to better themselves than they will rarely ever realize! I like to think of myself as truly altruistic yet I fully understand the argument that we can never be truly altruistic, so I don't really know. What I do know is I like what Carl C. said and I personally know Jesus is Lord and "The Way, The Truth, and The Light(Life)" for anyone willing to accept the only thing that truly matters--What happens when we meet OUR(ALL of OURS) Creator??? Chew on that one for awhile!!!
Member: BIKERBABE
Location: hellishelping
Date: 14 May 2003
Time: 23:33:32
JESUS IS THE LORD!!!! JESUS IS THE LORD... AND I'LL BREAK EVERY CRISTIAN RULE IN THE BOOK TO SHOVE IT ON YA... I GOT THE ANSWER FOR EVERYONE.. LISTEN TO ME......LISTEN TO JESUS!!!!!!!. CAUSE I'M SAVED AND YOU COULD BE TO.. YAAAA!! GO MARK GO!! I'M SUCH A HAPPY CRISTIAN NOW.. MY LIFE IS UNDOUBTEDLY BETTER THAN ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE THAT SATAN HAS UNDER HIS CONTROL .. YA FOR ME CAUSE I'M THE BEST, I'M THE LUCKIEST IN THE WEST!!! yada yada yada.. da da da ... da da daaaaa
Member: carlc
Location: texas
Date: 15 May 2003
Time: 02:32:36
GOD in His wisdom selected this group of men and women to be purveyors of His goodness. In selecting them through whom to bring about this phenomenon, He went not to the proud, the mighty, the famous or the brilliant. He went instead to the humble, to the sick, to the unfortunate. He went right to the drunkard, the so-called weakling of the world. Well might He have said to us:- Unto your weak and feeble hands I have entrusted a power beyond estimate. To you has been given that which has been denied the most learned of your fellows. Not to scientists or statesmen, not to wives or mothers, not even to my priests or ministers have I given this gift of healing other alcoholics which I entrust to you. It must be used unselfishly; it carries with it grave responsibility. No day can be too long; no demands upon your time can be too urgent; no case be too pitiful; no task too hard; no effort too great. It must be used with tolerance for I have restricted its application to no race, no creed, and no denomination. Personal criticism you must expect; lack of appreciation will be common; ridicule will be your lot; your motives will be misjudged. You must be prepared for adversity, for what men call adversity is the ladder you must use to ascend the rungs toward spiritual perfection, and remember, in the exercise of this power I shall not exact from you beyond your capabilities. You are not selected because of exceptional talents, and be careful always, if success attends your efforts not to ascribe to personal superiority that to which you can lay claim only by virtue of my gift. If I had wanted learned men to accomplish this mission, the power would have been entrusted to the physician and scientist. If I had wanted eloquent men, there would have been many anxious for the assignment, for talk is the easiest used of all talents with which I have endowed mankind. If I had wanted scholarly men, the world is filled with better-qualified men than you who would be available. You were selected because you have been the outcasts of the world and your long experience as drunkards has made or should make you humbly alert to the cries of distress that come from the lonely hearts of alcoholics everywhere. Keep ever in mind the admission you made on the day of your profession in AA- namely that you are powerless and that it was only with your willingness to turn your life and will unto my keeping that relief came to you.
Member: Mark
Location: Albany
Date: 15 May 2003
Time: 11:14:07
Thanks for that Carl, good stuff!!! Bikerbabe, I bet your rough in REAL LIFE too aren't you?? Is Satan your HP or are you really just at that SAD place where everythings funny?? Either way, I am getting a kick out of you and appreciate what your input, it "stirs up the pot," which provokes thought--that's good!!! Not necessarily humorous, but some of it is deep-down, gut-splitting hilarious, just not this one!!! Keep coming back!!!!!!
Member: carlc
Location: texas
Date: 15 May 2003
Time: 11:55:40
Sorry I didnt explain that was written by anonymous I just borrowed it because it fits the 12th step so perfectly.
Member: Adrunk
Location: stilltryin
Date: 15 May 2003
Time: 18:08:21
amen bikerbabe...some of em cant take it rough! jesus carlic get a life fucking with someone besides the newcomers...if jesus is he aint y ou! you take the alochol out of an asshole and youve got a dry asshole. newbes, dont drink and go to meetings...if thats too hard go to meetings til you dont have to drink between em! peace and sobrity.
Member: Bikkering babe?
Location: hellishelping
Date: 15 May 2003
Time: 22:28:14
Mark ((honey)) i guess you took that so personally eh? I am not rough at all, what makes you think i'm rough honey? is it that your thin skin is a little to tender for a little "real life reality?" You know something? I have not one angry or mean intention with anything ive said here... but it seems some people are missing the point... don't sweat it,, i had a point once or twice... but i let my hair grow so it didn't show. Bikerbabe loves alkies.
Member: Cec H
Location: cowtown
Date: 16 May 2003
Time: 07:20:25
Hi all Cec H alkie here. Seems to me some of us myself included have forgotten the last part of Step 12. To practice these principles in all our affairs. So where is the Love, Tolerance and Understanding that one alkie should have for another alkie. me . I understand you because I've been there too, I tolerate you because I was tolerated, I love you because I am you.
Member: John H
Location: Manchester UK
Date: 16 May 2003
Time: 12:32:51
Dear Bill J I couldn't agree more - we've been having this debate at my Home Group - the need to get involved with others to really show your recovery, and to strengthen your own sobriety.Making the tea is fine, so is getting to lots of meetings, reading the Big Book and sharing our Experience Strength and Hopes with one another. But Step 12 tells us to carry the message. This means more than just doing all of the above. I can't wait to get involved with it - as soon as I can I will.I owe it to myself to repay what others have done for me since I got sober 9 months ago. I want to be able to field the telephone calls from desparate ones, to take them to meetings, to become a sponsor, to give talks to schools, colleges and medical students, and anyone else who wants to hear the message from this fabulous Fellowship.I want to and I need to - we get it by giving it away. If that sounds 'holier than thou' I'm sorry but it's what I feel in my heart and that's what's important to me. Thanks for reading and thanks to all for your shares. John H
Member: robert j.
Location: angel beach
Date: 16 May 2003
Time: 13:40:23
I was always a fairly quiet person,but when it comes to AA and recovery I feel I have something to talk about,is this a spiritual awakening?,for me it has been,my eyes light up,it's a great feeling to be able to share the miracle of sobriety and to TRY to live in a manner that I should have been living all along,had I known how,without the 12th step this would have been a truly"selfish program.
Member: Mark M.
Location: Albany
Date: 16 May 2003
Time: 15:36:45
I just want to tell CarlC. he is appreciated and you keep on sharing here buddy, as it seems to me you have a pretty good handle on this thing and if those whom are incapable of real thought beyond the simplistic little quips and quotes around the rooms can't understand you, so be it. Not only is it 12th step even if only myself or one other person understands what you're saying, but it is probably the purest form and essence of 12th step work. God Bless you Carl.
Member: D-flat
Location: ND
Date: 17 May 2003
Time: 00:22:13
yes life is goooood sober having had a spirtial experiance, Love and tolerance is my code today, getting out of my selfcentered thoughts and ive been reading the chapter on "working with others" again. since I get the opportunity of going through the bb again, with someone new just like my sponser did with me. So i have been going to meetings for 9 and a half yrs,also I think that I have spirtual experiances every day I offer myself to God and ask him if there is anyone i can be of use today. I still have a hard time with getting out there and just doing life things but its been getting better latly, I grew up in a home where both my parents were alkies and I have a lot to learn about some of my charecter defects and it does say I must be ready to have god remove them and if i look deep enough i have been still enjoying them in some ways so i trudge along draggin my inflated ego with me, im not makin much sense tonight but what the hell, i hope every one has a great sober weekend
Member: Paul Q
Location: Toronto
Date: 17 May 2003
Time: 07:54:59
Carry the messege not the person! I was taken through the big book with one of GOD's witnesses another human being. The hook here is the person told me that they could care less if I got a spiritual awakening or not. This is between me and GOD. We are beyond humain aid. The 3 essentials, Honesty, Open Mind and Willingness. All is I ever wanted was to get out of that dark life. Had no idea GOD had his plan. As far as religion goes please keep it out of AA. To much blood has been shed in the name of religion.
Member: AnilG
Location: Mt Vernon,IL
Date: 17 May 2003
Time: 08:30:06
I am an alcholic to me the 12th step alone is one thing important to stay sober reminds of staying spritual and lead a selfless life/ It makes u reminds u for what u are what u can be in your life. thanks to aa and alanon for giving me another chance and another life.
Member: Dr. Bob
Location: Akron, Ohio
Date: 17 May 2003
Time: 13:38:21
In case nobody knows the obvious facts of history, AA's 12 steps are derived DIRECTLY from the BIBLE wether you like it or not!!! Not to mention even the secular society of America has just recently passed a major court ruling that it is in fact a religion and courts can no longer obligate ANYONE to attend a meeting because it is a "religion"!! It is actually a cult, but whatever, do what you want, those are just the facts, most alcoholics never seem to let that little thing stop them from their immoral life anyways as ALL that matters is that their sober. Good Luck and keep avoiding your own page 82 where it clearly talks about not drinking NOT being enough!!!
Member: Fran
Location: member
Date: 17 May 2003
Time: 21:04:05
i just think its wierd to turn a self help group into a religion... and aa is just that... man its kinda messed up So aa isn't perfect,BUT so what?, it is also a loving arrangement, whereby the people who are lonely and dying of alcoholic lonliness really need someone to be there for them to help them get what they got (life)... compassion is in order, i don't go to aa anymore, but i'm so glad they were there when i needed them.. in fact, i may have died. So why should i hate aa for its flaws, and shortcomings, when the principal matter is that it is great for newcomers and also for people who are "giving back" and still enjoying the meetings, and helping others, there's nothing wrong with that is there? ...
Member: D-Flat
Location: feet on earth
Date: 17 May 2003
Time: 21:14:25
I am gratefull that there is such a program in the time that I am on earth. I also believe these steps were inspired by God so if there similier to the bible, well, they are closely follow along the guidlines of the Jesuit order, in witch Bill W had never heard of until 5yrs after he sobered up. but anyway, my personal opinion people who dont want to be at meetings shouldnt be there. about being a cult!I was once at a meeting and somone had mention AA being a cult and someone in the back yelled "thats good I needed a good brainwashing" lol. I did too and am more than happy to follow these steps instead of my way of old thinking and have found in my life more than i ever dreamed.
Member: Sam
Location: NYC
Date: 17 May 2003
Time: 21:23:35
http://www.geocities.com/drugsandalcoholinfo/webpagesandpapers/12biglieofaa3.htm
Member: Mark M.
Location: Albany
Date: 17 May 2003
Time: 23:36:34
Fran you are a bright light of humanity!! Thank You for the beautiful insight!
Member: alternative view
Location:
Date: 18 May 2003
Time: 00:01:52
http://www.geocities.com/drugsandalcoholinfo/webpagesandpapers/insideaawebpagewebpage.htm
Member: Mark M.
Location: Albany
Date: 18 May 2003
Time: 00:29:31
Hey Sam, is alternative you as well or did two people recommend the same website?? It is not only a very nicely written paper, but I agree with the vast majority and have worked in "the field" for awhile and can't deal with it!! The naysayers will trash it and then call us the judgemental ones, as they always do what they claim you're doing, but that doesn't take away from the writer's point. Thanks for that info, good stuff!
Member: Leo
Location: NM
Date: 18 May 2003
Time: 05:39:14
For the people who dont believe in satan, you just read something from one of his follwers this alternative person or demon or whatever.
Member: A REAL ALCOHOLIC
Location:
Date: 18 May 2003
Time: 05:45:22
Alternative makes Bikerbaber look like a nun.