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FightingIrish · 07-16-2009, 08:06 PM

I hear a lot of people say that Step One "is the only step we have to do perfectly." While I tend to take what I need and leave the rest when it comes to slogans, this is one I hear a lot. And although I feel like I have had a meaningful Step One experience, I'm not sure I know what this slogan means or can relate to it. I don't feel like Step One is a static arrival point, a box to be checked off.

The Big Book says, "we had to fully concede to our innermost selves that we were alcoholics." This also seems to me to imply a state of completion with this step.

I'm wondering how other people experience this step? How do you know if you have fully conceded? Generally my approach is not to overthink it, to the point where I allow that it is possible that I may someday drink again. Today I do not want to drink, nor have I wanted to for the past 680 days. But I see the strange mental twists come and go, and they do not surprise me when they come. I also do not act upon them...why, I don't know...I just don't, and I don't worry about them when they do come.

It feels more like a letting go than anything in particular that I do. I certainly don't remind myself of how bad it was.

Curious what other people experience?

07-16-2009, 08:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
FightingIrish problem with authority Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 873	Fully Conceding I hear a lot of people say that Step One "is the only step we have to do perfectly." While I tend to take what I need and leave the rest when it comes to slogans, this is one I hear a lot. And although I feel like I have had a meaningful Step One experience, I'm not sure I know what this slogan means or can relate to it. I don't feel like Step One is a static arrival point, a box to be checked off. The Big Book says, "we had to fully concede to our innermost selves that we were alcoholics." This also seems to me to imply a state of completion with this step. I'm wondering how other people experience this step? How do you know if you have fully conceded? Generally my approach is not to overthink it, to the point where I allow that it is possible that I may someday drink again. Today I do not want to drink, nor have I wanted to for the past 680 days. But I see the strange mental twists come and go, and they do not surprise me when they come. I also do not act upon them...why, I don't know...I just don't, and I don't worry about them when they do come. It feels more like a letting go than anything in particular that I do. I certainly don't remind myself of how bad it was. Curious what other people experience? __________________ "Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness." Last edited by FightingIrish; 07-16-2009 at 08:25 PM.