Step by Step
Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016
"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." - Step 12
Today, Step 12, the "graduation" step that bestows marching orders and ushers us into the world and puts AA into service by taking the message to other alcoholics. But to be "qualified" as a 12th-stepper, we have to see that this step is actually one in three; we are required in it, first, to have had a spiritual awakening, second, to carry the message, and third, to practice in all our affairs the principles laid out in the previous 11 steps. And without achieving each three requirements, our effectiveness as a carrier of the message is likely to be compromised. After all, how can we talk about a spiritual awakening if we have not had one, and how can we ask someone to practice AA's principles if we don't do so ourselves? Today, I ask myself if I have experienced the spiritual awakening that is fundamental to recovery, if I actually practice AA's principles in all I do, and if I try to carry the message when asked. And our common journey continues. Step by step. - Chris M., 2016
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