A Short Study of the Twelve Steps of A.A.
We are all at different stages of our sobriety and have all had a variety of experiences with working the steps. In the Twenty-Four Hours A Day book it says for Sept.16- AA Thought for the Day ” The first step is the membership requirement step. The second, third, and eleventh steps are the spiritual steps of the program. The fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and tenth steps are the personal inventory steps. The eighth and ninth steps are the restitution steps. The twelfth step is the passing on of the program, or helping others step.
Have I made all these steps a part of me?” Where are you at in working the steps and have you made the steps a part of yourself?
I work step 1 every day, and it is the only step that I have to do perfectly. I admit every day that I am powerless over alcohol and that my life was disturbed. I believe in a Power greater than myself (who I call God) and say the Third Step prayer and the Seventh Step prayer every day.
I work steps 2, 3, and 11 every day and try to remember to constantly turn my will and my life over to the care of God. I must turn to my HP for help because I am helpless without Him. I trust God for the strength to keep me sober.
I have taken an honest inventory of myself by working Step 4, Step 5, Step 6, and Step 7 (still working on getting to Step 10). I had to see myself as I really am. I am currently working on Step 8 and Step 9 and will be starting to work on my amends letters.
I practice Step 12 by carrying the message to other alcoholics and am currently sponsoring two wonderful women.