In Step Twelve of the 12-step program, it says this:
“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.”
The part that jumped out at me the other day is “...to practice these principles in all our affairs.”
Sometimes, I am surprised at how far I have come in sobriety. That I just practice these steps in all that I do without thinking about it anymore. My grand-sponsor, Dossie, is gone now—but I still hear voice saying these words in a cadence all her own, “We take the steps. And, we take the steps. And, pretty soon we realize, the steps are taking us.”
What that means for me is that I have studied and done these 12 steps many times. On my own, with my own sponsor, or with the women I sponsor, these steps have become a way of life.
Sometimes, I will say, “Oh, yeah, step ten is needed here—when wrong promptly admit it.” or “I need to forgive that person or that will grow into a resentment that will destroy me.” or, “Boy, I need to turn THAT one over to God—no control over that—I am powerless.”
I am actually retired from my graphic design job now, but found myself volunteering for a last-minute-Hail-Mary-get-it-done-quickly-job for a dear friend all last week. I was smack dab in the middle of what used to cause me enormous anxiety, but found myself calm and centered through the process—because of the steps.
I called up all that I had learned about: noticing powerlessness (Step One), depending on God to give me the strength to accomplish the impossible (Step Two and Three), searching inside to know what was mine and what was NOT mine to take on (Step Four and Five), seeing my character defects surface and giving myself grace when they appeared (Step Six and Seven), making amends when I had overstepped (Step Eight and Nine), apologized when wrong and admitting it (Step Ten), then sought through prayer for God’s will in every situation and for the power to carry that out (Step Eleven), and finally, carry these messages to those who need to hear it and practice the steps in all that I do (Step Twelve.)
So grateful for this knowledge and for courage to practice the steps.
I believe that, by this example last week, I know the steps are now...
taking me.
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you...”
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Click on my books below to buy.
