The 12th Step of Alcoholics Anonymous is, "Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs." This step clearly places a responsibility upon us - but we cannot give away that which we don't have. The "Big Book" of Alcoholics Anonymous states, "We have recovered and been given the power to help others." The power to help others is a direct result of the spiritual awakening received in Step Twelve. Until one such spiritual awakening has occurred it is impossible for it to occur in other alcoholics that we may be helping. Furthermore, once the Spirit has been awakened within us we cannot be in the will of God without helping others.
We are gifted the power to carry the message to other alcoholics not only through our words but by incorporating the principles of the Alcoholics Anonymous program (the Twelve Steps) right into our lives, displaying them through our behavior. Once the spirit has been awakened in those we help then they themselves can lead a recovered life. These recovered alcoholics will then have the power to help others in the way necessary, so that still others may recover from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. Your gift can be a gift to others.
Written by Armand
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ReplyDeleteYears ago I was told that I had to "find and touch my own gold." But to do so, I would have to dig down into the deepest part of me, and to discard the "dross" I would find blocking the way. Dross is defined as waste matter, impurity, fake gold. Through incorporating The Twelve Strps into my life under the guidance of a knowing Big Book sponsor, I found the entrance to my personal spiritual goldmine. That is the process part of Recovery. The living part of Recovery is in Steps 10-12 wherein I receive the daily opportunity to give away what I've been so lovingly gifted. The Big Book refers to this gift as a limitless lode which must be mined for the rest of my life. And then I must give the entire gift away. By far, the epicenter of the joy of Recover. Spiritual gold, real gold.
ReplyDeleteMichael so beautifully stated. A life we could have only dreamed off contingent upon us helping others...Thank you...Armand
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