I finished The Program (12 Steps) of AA last week. I have a sense of relief, of overwhelming gratitude, of self-satisfaction, and of calm. I'm finding that it's no longer necessary to compare myself to others, to take their inventories, to worry about stuff that (now) seems so trivial. I AM tired--like I have to let this stuff all settle in and distill over time. ~grin~ I've also found that it's not quite as important that I share my ESH at the drop of a hat--though you guys/gals wouldn't know it... I've got a ton of work to do, but I know how to do it now--and I'm really puzzled that there aren't more Guides for Living for simple guys like me. I feel sad now, for the sick people around me in my life. I wish I could help, but that would be kind of presumptuous, too.
"If you're in AA long enough, you're going to have to learn how to step over the bodies of those who do NOT want help." My sponsor said this.
Thanks to everyone here for having the patience to ride along and tolerate my rantings and self-important recovery. It takes what it takes, I guess.
Thanks.
S
Hi,
Congrats on completing the 12 steps. Like you said, you've still got alot to do.
Each of the steps will have to be practiced daily from now on. Also, although the steps are for AA, I firmly believe the steps should be practiced by everyone whether suffering from addiction or not. It's sort of life rules to live by for everyone.How long did it take you complete the steps in AA?
Just curious, some it takes years and some shorter time.
Step 4 usually takes a very long time. But again, all steps will now have to be done daily to help maintain your sobriety and sanity.
Congrats again and God Bless!
Trimmer
Congrats on completing the 12 steps. Like you said, you've still got alot to do.
Each of the steps will have to be practiced daily from now on. Also, although the steps are for AA, I firmly believe the steps should be practiced by everyone whether suffering from addiction or not. It's sort of life rules to live by for everyone.How long did it take you complete the steps in AA?
Just curious, some it takes years and some shorter time.
Step 4 usually takes a very long time. But again, all steps will now have to be done daily to help maintain your sobriety and sanity.
Congrats again and God Bless!
Trimmer
Way to go! Now go forth and help others. I am reading this book called "Back to Basics The AA Beginners Meetings" and it says that in the old days (40s-50s) they would send newcomers to these meetings where they would be assigned a sponsor and work the steps. Each meeting was an hour long and there were 4 in 4 weeks. By the end of 4 weeks the newcomer had worked all 4 steps and was ready to attend regular AA meetings. Newcomers were not allowed to attend meetings until they had worked all 12 steps. I am going to bring this up at our business meeting as my home group meets 4 days a week and I think it would be cool to do the steps every 4 weeks. Of course that's only if the rest of the group agrees with me. I do believe we complicate what used to be a very simple program. Too much psych stuff is brought into meetings that wasn't there in the old days when they had a much higher success rate than we have now.
I'm reading a book now titled, "Getting Better: Inside Alcoholics Anonymous," by Nan Robertson (one of US). It's a non-sanctioned history of AA by a Pulitzer Prize winner (not for THIS book, though). I LIKE some of the ideas--there's ALOT of stuff that probably wouldn't be acceptable now!
I did my steps--one per week (except Step 4 took two because of it's two parts) except when my Sponsor and I couldn't get together. I totally believe that I'll do them again--with another Sponsor sometime down the road to get another perspective. [edit: My sponsor, an AA history buff, said that back in the early years they'd pump a rummy through the 12 Steps in 3 days--while they were still detoxing!]
I think that the level of Alcoholic is different than it was back then, too. Education and treatment farms, literature, etc., is all making people more aware of the disease. That's a good thing. Of course, everyone wants it THEIR way, too, 'cause they're different. They just need to go out and do some more research, I suppose. Bottoms vary, too.
I have to concern myself with MY recovery right now--but I CAN give away what I have. And I DO!
:)
I did my steps--one per week (except Step 4 took two because of it's two parts) except when my Sponsor and I couldn't get together. I totally believe that I'll do them again--with another Sponsor sometime down the road to get another perspective. [edit: My sponsor, an AA history buff, said that back in the early years they'd pump a rummy through the 12 Steps in 3 days--while they were still detoxing!]
I think that the level of Alcoholic is different than it was back then, too. Education and treatment farms, literature, etc., is all making people more aware of the disease. That's a good thing. Of course, everyone wants it THEIR way, too, 'cause they're different. They just need to go out and do some more research, I suppose. Bottoms vary, too.
I have to concern myself with MY recovery right now--but I CAN give away what I have. And I DO!
:)
Amazing!! Well done skg. You have flown through the steps with determination and courage. How inspiring!!
Gidday Skg
If ever there is an example of how it works and what you put in you get out, then i hope people track your posts and see how it works...good on ya
light and love zac
If ever there is an example of how it works and what you put in you get out, then i hope people track your posts and see how it works...good on ya
light and love zac
