Post by Lin on Jan 29, 2005 5:07:30 GMT -5
We all work the basically same 12 steps. Which step do you think has helped you change the most?
I find that question hard to pin down to one. 1, 4, 11, & 12 run a close race for me.
It gave me the word POWERLESSNESS. up until i work the steps the first time i thougth i was in complete control of myself and everybody around me, but it was frustrating when things did nto work out the way i planned. Those around me were not cooperatimg with my plan. Powerlessness gave me the 'permission" to stop trying to control what others do. it gave me the power to change myself in healthier ways. i learned acceptance and letting go through this powerlessness.It helped me see that my actions were actually not helping people around me change.
step 4 helped me take a good look at my own actions. I found many areas i was strong and i built on those strong points. I foudn ways to feel good about ME even if others were putting me down. It also gave me a chance to see some areas of my life that i needes to change. I called them GROWTH AREAS. I learned to change those parts of me that I did not desire to keep.
step 11 has helped me keep my daily contact with my HP. That in itself was a total change. I thought HE had given up on me years ago so i gave up on HIM. ONce i allowed him back into my daily life, it change my whole outlook. I was no longer dealing with my life ALONE. And he wont give me more than i can handle.
step 12 helps me keep my recovery by using it in all areas of my life. I use acceptance in traffic and long lines at the store. I use it when weather or something changes my plans. I use powerlessness over people i work with who are not in recovery at all. I use letting go with family members who are not trying to help themselves at all or who are saying hurtful things to me.
I use slogans at any point in my day that I need to be an adult instead of jumping in where I am not invited.
So those 4 actually are the conerstones of my life these days. If i have to pin it down to the one MOST important, I guess it woudl be 11. (back to 2 and 3 for getting it started...and 11 for maintaining those two on a daily basis.) the fact my HP is in my life these days has made a HUGE difference in me.
I'd love to hear from others on this.
LIN
I find that question hard to pin down to one. 1, 4, 11, & 12 run a close race for me.
It gave me the word POWERLESSNESS. up until i work the steps the first time i thougth i was in complete control of myself and everybody around me, but it was frustrating when things did nto work out the way i planned. Those around me were not cooperatimg with my plan. Powerlessness gave me the 'permission" to stop trying to control what others do. it gave me the power to change myself in healthier ways. i learned acceptance and letting go through this powerlessness.It helped me see that my actions were actually not helping people around me change.
step 4 helped me take a good look at my own actions. I found many areas i was strong and i built on those strong points. I foudn ways to feel good about ME even if others were putting me down. It also gave me a chance to see some areas of my life that i needes to change. I called them GROWTH AREAS. I learned to change those parts of me that I did not desire to keep.
step 11 has helped me keep my daily contact with my HP. That in itself was a total change. I thought HE had given up on me years ago so i gave up on HIM. ONce i allowed him back into my daily life, it change my whole outlook. I was no longer dealing with my life ALONE. And he wont give me more than i can handle.
step 12 helps me keep my recovery by using it in all areas of my life. I use acceptance in traffic and long lines at the store. I use it when weather or something changes my plans. I use powerlessness over people i work with who are not in recovery at all. I use letting go with family members who are not trying to help themselves at all or who are saying hurtful things to me.
I use slogans at any point in my day that I need to be an adult instead of jumping in where I am not invited.
So those 4 actually are the conerstones of my life these days. If i have to pin it down to the one MOST important, I guess it woudl be 11. (back to 2 and 3 for getting it started...and 11 for maintaining those two on a daily basis.) the fact my HP is in my life these days has made a HUGE difference in me.
I'd love to hear from others on this.
LIN