"Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to addicts, and to practice these principles in all our affairs." Step Twelve
There is no such thing as a "failed" Twelfth Step call. Even if our prospect doesn't get clean, we have accomplished two purposes. We have planted the seed of recovery in the mind of the addict with whom we have shared our experience, strength, and hope. And we ourselves have stayed clean another day. Rarely does a recovering addict leave a Twelve Step call with anything but a deep dose of gratitude.
Sometimes we are practicing the Twelfth Step without realizing it. When our co-workers or other acquaintances know some of our history and see what kind of person we are today, they know where to go when they have a friend or loved one in need of our help. We are often the best attraction that NA has to offer.
For many addicts, the Twelfth Step is the cornerstone of recovery. We truly believe that "we can only keep what we have by giving it away" The paradox of the Twelfth Step is evident, for in giving, we receive.
Just for today: I will remember that I am a living example of the Twelfth Step. I cannot "fail" when I try to carry the message to another addict. pg. 215
I am glad i read this today because a guy in the program who has been working for me relapsed , he's in hiding right now tried calling him several times yeasterday without an answer and I felt myself taking on responsibility and questioning myself whether I did enough.
I did what I am asked to do , I shared my Experience strength and hope with him, I set an example of what he too can have if he wants it, you really gotta want it BAD thats all I can say.
I shared a lot with him, what it was like and how it is today and I told him my own struggles today and of yesterday and how I get thru each day by grace of God and this program of recovery.
I can't do more then what I have done now I have to let go,and not feel that I failed.
I just spoke to him I can't even express my sorrow for him, but you know what I emphatically told him that this program and these principles IF WE USE THEM DO WORK...................you just have to try.
"If we do an honest examination of exactly what we are giving, we are better able to evaluate the results we are getting."Chapter 10 - Emotional Pain - NA Way of Life.
sounds like you did everything that you could, my friend and did it very well. when i was recently having a bit of a melt down about someone i care about relapseing, my 13 year old son said "geez Mom, everbody makes choices" ...That stopped me in my tracks! guess some of the program may have rubbed of on him? anyways, out of the mouths of babes....since then i think of those words when people do things that are destructive to themselves or others.....We all have the right to make choices good OR bad. all i can do is share my ESH and be the best example i can be. .....happy 24!
Haven't heard back from him he did say he wasn't sure if he could stop now and I understand that he's got to hit another bottom , pretty sad he's a darn good young man and a damn good worker .
I told him the same thing Galeon we make our own choices and bed to lay in its hard to let go of something we love ( drugs ) something we can bury ourselves in and hide and feel good for awhile but we also in the same decision hand over our whole lives to it and its totally destructive......
