Topic for the week: Step 12
“Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.”
I am eternally grateful for my spiritual awakening, a true gift of the program. Like taking off blinders, I could clearly see the damage I was doing to myself and to others with my drinking. I could then see the lifeline my HP and AA offered and tried to grab tight with both hands. I feel like I ‘woke up’.
One of the first lessons I was taught in sobriety was that in order to keep this gift we have to give it away. This would not make sense to someone outside of the program but it is vital for we alcoholics. I must share my ESH, support and attempt to guide others as I was helped. I do as little as set up/clean up at meetings to service positions, 12 step groups and sponsorship. When I was new to the tables I vividly remember each person who spoke to me, gave me a Big Book, gave me a phone number etc. It meant so much and it is my duty to pass it on because without this, there is no meeting, no program.
We are all invited to share on Step 12. The steps are our blueprint for living sober lives. This step is listed in Chapter 5, How it Works, from the book, Alcoholics Anonymous (affectionately known as the Big Book) (see p. 60). There’s more in Chapter 7 (Working With Others), starting on p. 89, which is all about the 12th step. There’s even more about it in the book Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions.
*** Where to get the books, Alcoholics Anonymous and Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions
You can find these books at many f2f AA meetings; you can order them online from many places. And they are available from the AA General Service Office, to read online, in English, French and Spanish. See www.aa.org/