The 12 Steps Unplugged by Anonymous

Author:Anonymous
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-61649-161-1
Publisher: Hazelden Publishing
Published: 2011-03-11T05:00:00+00:00

Perfection Not Required

We will not do this perfectly. Don’t be discouraged. We are not saints. The Big Book reminds us that we all are recovering. Each of us is a work in progress. None of us will ever reach perfection. We need to be patient with one another. Don’t focus on the shortcomings. Focus on how far we’ve come. It took time for our addiction to develop and the family to become sick. It also takes time to heal and recover.

Spirituality First

It can be tempting to throw ourselves into making money. But the Big Book warns that our spiritual life must come first. The rest will follow. It’s never the other way around. This is true with money and with other things like studies, fitness, bands, even religion. If we work Step Eleven, the rest will work itself out.

Here’s another warning: Watch out for “spiritual intoxication.” This is the pink cloud mentioned earlier in the Big Book. It has happened to many of us. We become very caught up in our spiritual experience and try to convert the world. If we keep working the program, this will pass. We start to see that love and tolerance includes respecting others’ beliefs.

Something else will likely happen. As our confidence grows, we won’t feel threatened by opposing views. We’ll feel secure in our beliefs. We can be comfortable with our concept of God, even if others embrace different concepts.

We need to find balance in our lives. We addicts are compulsive. We tend to be all-or-nothing people. This can tax the patience of our loved ones. The Big Book talks about a father’s rush to get back on his feet financially. We may be tempted to rush to catch up in school, jump a fast track on a career, plunge headfirst into a sport or activity, consume a new fad, or devote ourselves to a favorite band. Look for ways to include social, family, and physical activities with your spiritual life. We’re not one-dimensional people.

Family members can benefit also from adopting spiritual principles. Al-Anon or Alateen are for family members. Don’t expect family members to “get” the program right away. And don’t put down family members for how they work their program.

Keep to your side of the street. If each family member does what he or she can to improve the family situation, the family is better off. Be willing to compromise and see things through others’ eyes. This will ease conflict and put you back on common ground. Compromise and compassion can pave the way to harmony at home.

Whether you’re the addict or the concerned person, getting involved in an organized faith community can support your spiritual growth. Your recovery experience can also be a testament to God’s power. Don’t let this go to your head. God has worked the miracle, not you. God has done for us what we could not do for ourselves. That honesty humbles us. It lets us put things in their proper place. We get credit for being willing and open to God’s grace; God gets credit for working the miracle.

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