“I was beginning to move my body towards making amends, but I was beginning to move my spirit towards getting right with who I believed myself was really intended to be.” Anonymous
To kick off our sober.coffee podcast back in the spring of 2021, we did a series breaking down the steps of the 12-step recovery program of Alcoholics Anonymous, sharing our experience working those steps. They are worth a listen for those new to sobriety and as a tune-up for those deeper into the recovery process.
Through these sessions and the many that followed, we have come to appreciate both the process and the philosophy behind this life-changing program.
Mind you; we are still learning and growing and understanding more as we do more.
According to many sources (including this reference), the 12 steps were written in approximately 30 minutes by Alcoholics Anonymous founder William Wilson while lying in bed circa 1938. Amazing, as the only thing we accomplish in 30 minutes in bed is to eat a sleeve of Oreos. Lol
The framework having been set by Bill, he and 100 others went on to write the supporting documentation found in the first 164 pages of the book titled Alcoholics Anonymous, which was published in the spring of 1939. According to the forward, the book was published “To show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered is the main purpose of this book.” The book has come to be one of the best-selling books of all time, having sold 30 million copies to date.
The first 164 pages are a textbook, a blueprint to sobriety if you will. But we have found that it is more than instructive as it is a practical application that changes not only the outside of us in recovery from alcoholism but, more importantly, changes the inside – if it is fully embraced.
The steps boil down to an opportunity for physical, psychological, and spiritual transformation.
The magic happens when we completely follow the path laid out in the big book.
As we have said before, this has been our experience. We believe this because we have undergone the transformation brought on by a 12-step recovery. This is one of many paths to recovery, as we have seen many succeed using other methods. However, this is just our story.
“So oftentimes it happens that we live our lives in chains, and we never even know we have the key. ‘Eagles, Already Gone, sung by Glenn Frey- written by Robb Strandlund and Jack Tempchin.
Are you ready to break your chains today and get right with who you believe you are intended to be?
Thoughts and ideas for this blog post were taken and built upon from sober.coffee podcast #9 Step 8 - Made a List.... The podcast dropped on. Click here to hear the podcast.
Photo by Júnior Ferreira on Unsplash
BLOG DISCLAIMER:
Alcoholics Anonymous and AA are registered trademarks of Alcoholics World Service. Inc. References to AA, the 12 steps, and 12 traditions does not mean that AA has reviewed or approved the contents of this publication nor that AA agrees with the views expressed herein. This publication is intended to support personal growth and should not be considered a substitute for healthcare professionals' advice. The author’s advice and viewpoints are their own