That is our one primary purpose in this program, why are we talking about anything but the solution in meetings?
Step 12: Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to carry the message to the addict who still suffers, and practice these principles in all of our affairs.
This is a program of action!
Carrying the message is a high itself. Work the steps fast. Do it.
-- Edited by recovered55 on Wednesday 26th of January 2011 05:25:51 PM
I understand the sentiment. Sometimes some meetings seem full of nothing but war stories. Sometimes I forget that sharing what it was like can allow newcomers to relate and gain a feeling of belonging. As we gain time indeed it's important to share how to get and stay Clean not just what it was like. But someone with 1 day Clean doesn't have years of experience to draw on yet can still help the newest member stay Clean Just for Today. They know how to stay Clean One Day and can help the newest member do the same.
The NA program and our Groups' primary purpose is to carry the message to the addict who still suffers. My primary purpose is to recover from the disease of addiction one day at a time. Part of my recovery program from month one Clean has been Service Work, carrying the message. But this was not a result of miraculously reaching Step 12 and having a spiritual awakening but rather following suggestions of those who came before me and had want I wanted.
Working the steps fast doesn't work for me. Recovery is a Journey not a destination. Early on I heard if you can integrate one Step a year into your life you're doing good. When I got a decade Clean it started to make sense, now with 30 years Clean it makes total sense. Working the steps isn't a do it once and done deal, it's a way of living. Now I feel like if I can fully integrate a Step a Decade into my life so it doesn't take constant work I'll be doing good!
This is not to say not to start working the Steps immediately. Quite the opposite. The Journey of Recovery from the Disease of Addiction begins taking the first of countless steps, one step at a time, each at their own pace.
__________________
Work the Steps or Die MF. (My Friend :) Clean One Day At a Time by The Grace of God through The Power of NA
In the short time I have been going to meetings, I have gained the sense that recovery is a journey that I will be on the rest of my life. It has been said on here to go to meetings, listen to what is being said. The people I hear who live the life of recovery, daily, are the ones who have what I want. They are the ones who despite having been in the program for years, continue to have sponsors, and they have sponsees as well. They learn from their sponsor, and in turn give it to their sponsee. They continue to work the steps over and over. They give me the hope that I too can live a happy and fulfilled life in recovery. For that I am forever grateful. I am looking forward to being in a place where I can help someone on their journey. Peace.
Are you telling me, it took you a YEAR to admit that you're powerless over drugs, and your life is unmanageable? My life was not unmanageable from all the bad shit that happened, my life was unmanageable cause I couldn't manage the decison to stop.
I came into the program DYING from this disease, I wanted to be done for good and all, not one day at a time. I didn't have time to waste, I had to work these steps fast, my life depended on it, not on the group.
I have an abnormal reaction to drugs and alcohol. I'm allergic to it, my mind cannot remember even a week or month before it convinces me that this time it will be different.
Ten, eleven, and twelve is what I live in.
I've gone to plenty meetings where guys or girls with 30 years were stating how miserable they were, and it took everything they had not to use that day. I don't want to be a dry drunk or dry dope fiend.
Working the Steps and a program of recovery with a sense of urgency is experienced by many, including myself.
However, as my sponsor pointed out and reminds me weekly, this is not a race to the finish line, nor is there a certificate waiting when we complete Step 12.
I'm constantly reminded to work the Steps ... thuroughly, and patiently, and honestly. Thuroughness and patience and honesty spring forth from spirituality.
I think that if I worked only one Step a year (such as Mike mentioned), I'm also doing good, so long as I'm living the Steps and staying clean. If I die before I get to Step 12 then so be it. At least I'll die clean and sober knowing that I did the best I could on my journey living a clean life.
I wasn't in a hurry to get clean, and I surely ain't in a hurry to reach Step 12. I'm just trying to be thurough and honest in my program of recovery.
As for our Primary Purpose and meetings, our Primary Purpose is suppose to extend in ALL aspects of our life, not just meetings. Meetings is a place of fellowship, when 2 or more addicts meet to support one another in their recovery. In meetings I hear of all sorts of topics, discussion, conversation, and gossip. But what ever I hear, no matter what it is, I can somehow relate to it and learn from it without passing on judgement to others. I accept others no matter where they are in their recovery, and listen to what they have to say ... suggestions, advice, a problem, a crisis, or just how they are feeling for the day.
In meetings, so what if someone wants to talk about something that you don't. One of our jobs as recovering addicts is also TO LISTEN. That is how we can support one another, no matter where they are in their recovery, and even if they are not working the Steps.
N.A. meetings are a place for FELLOWSHIP and are not restricted to a formal working of the Steps.
"Our meetings are a process of identification, hope and sharing."
-- Edited by Tom C on Sunday 30th of January 2011 02:36:18 PM
That is extremey selfish to not want to to hurry and get to step 12. To start sponsoring and taking another addict through the work, as someone took the time to do for you.
