Here we are, it's December, the 12th month of the year, and time to share some of my experience with Step 12.
Step 12 : Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to carry our message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
Do any of you want Step 12 expressed in only five (5) words?
TO FEEL GOOD, DO GOOD
When we help others, it makes us feel good. When we feel good about ourselves, we are not inclined to pick up a drink of alcohol to change how we feel.
TO FEEL GOOD, DO GOOD
This includes doing good things for all other human beings. It is not limited to only helping other alcoholics. Let it also include doing good things for animals and even inanimate objects as well.
To repeat : When we help others, it makes us feel good. When we feel good about ourselves, we are not inclined to pick up a drink of alcohol to change how we feel.
THE PROMISES
Most of us are aware of 'The Promises' of the 9th step which are on pages 83 and 84 in The Big Book in Chapter 6, - Into Action.
There are about 140 promises in the first 164 pages of the Big Book.
Step 12 begins with a promise : Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps.
This is a promise. We are promised a Spiritual Awakening if we work the previous 11 steps.
SPIRITUAL AWAKENING / EXPERIENCE
The 12th Step promises us a spiritual awakening. Appendix II, pages 567 and 568, in the back of the Big Book is well worth studying.
In my thoughts on Step 9, I talked about how some amends are uncomfortable and of the spiritual experience I had the day I stopped short of telling-off another member of A.A. so I would not have to then make an amend to him. This change in behavior is, in and of itself, a spiritual awakening or experience.
WORKING WITH OTHERS
In The Big Book, Chapter 7 - Working With Others, on page 89 says : PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE shows that nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking as intensive work with other alcoholics.
In my opinion, working with others ranks number 2 on my list of most important actions we can take to recover from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body.
What is number 1? In order to recover from active alcoholism you must want to do so. A.A. is not for those who need it. A.A. is for those who want it!
What more have I to offer on the 12 Step? For now this is my best effort.
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