Step 12

[Lin]

I just wrote an article on step 12 and submitted it for the new book. LIN

Step 12- “Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to carry the message to others and to practice these principles in all our affairs.”

My first of many spiritual awakenings over the years happened when I was about 2 months into recovery. I was still trying to control my husband and especially his recovery. It was not working. I made a “God box”. I wrote it on paper and gave that chore to God. As I put the paper in the box I felt a weight lifted from my shoulders. I was able to let go of the need to control my husband’s recovery.

I carry the message by attending meetings faithfully and sharing my experience, strength and hope with others. I sponsor several ladies and also do service work to my home group. I take phone calls from friends in Al-anon as well as people who just want to ask about Al-anon.

Practicing my Al-anon in every aspect of my daily life has been a tremendous help to my happiness. I can use detachment when there is gossip at work. I use acceptance when there is heavy traffic, a rude clerk in a store, weather spoils my plans, or when dealing with t strong willed friends and relatives. The Serenity Prayer is very useful when I have anything difficult to deal with. I always carry a Serenity Prayer card in my pocket to a funeral, hospital, or when I have a meeting with a boss at work. Just touching my pocket and knowing the Serenity Prayer is in there gives me extra strength. I have used forgiveness with many people in my life. One thing I did was pray for that person for 28 days straight. When I am praying for another person, it makes it easier to forgive.

Step 12 is a huge part of my recovery.

[majestyjo]

Thanks for sharing Lin. As they say, "we have to give it away in order to keep our sobriety (soundness of mind).  I was involved in many forms of service over the years from detox, jail, treatment centers, inter-group, general service, speaking at groups and at anniversaries and going to my home group every week.  I have gone to AA, NA, CA, Al-Anon, ACoA, and Women for Sobriety over the years.  Nar-Anon and CoDA folded and there was no OA or EA, although my sponsor had been members of both fellowships.

My service these days have been online and when I can get out to my Al-Anon home group.  This past week I was in too much pain to sit through the meeting, and had to go to my chiropractor's appointment and come straight home.

Tonight I am in a lot of pain, too much pain to sleep, although I am very tired after being at the hospital today, so came on line to help detach from the pain, with the hope of detaching from it.  I am sitting here with my feet in a bean bathe with ice packs on my feet.  It is doing what ever it takes, I tried heat and it didn't work.  I rubbed my feet with Voltaren, massaged them, then put on  Ombra ointment on them, put on socks, and now it is prayer and asking for help and knowing that this too shall pass.  I have pseudo gout, neuropathy and osteo arthritis, as well as gout in my feet, so not sure which one is hurting the most at the moment, but that is okay, they are just labels.   It is just something I have to deal with each day.  Some days are just harder than others.  I just try not to let my pain dictate my life and stop me from coming on line.

Some days I am able to do more than others.   I am so grateful for this site for being here for me.  I am grateful to you for being a part of my journey.

[majestyjo]

Just showing up at your meeting is doing 12 Step work. I focused on Al-Anon for many years and seldom went to AA. When I needed an AA meeting, I went to a small discussion group. I found that you can get lost in large meetings. They can be a great place to hide. I also compared instead of identifying with the speaker. When I went to a discussion group, I couldn't shut everyone out.

As they say, "Take what you need and put it on the shelf." First you have to build the shelf, be aware that it is there and look at it once in a while to see if there just maybe something there you need in today. As a friend said, "Take what you need and what you don't need. Even if you don't need it, you may cross paths with someone who does and you can pass it on.