Steps

[RufusACanal]

I probably think about stuff more than is healthy. This morning while shaving as I got ready to come to work, the thought of why the word Steps was used by our founders to describe the journey to a new life would not go away. Why Steps and not goals or points and are they describing a walking to someplace or climbing a stairway?


Definitions of steps on the Web:

stairs: a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
the course along which a person has walked or is walking in; "I followed in his steps"; "he retraced his steps"; "his steps turned toward home"

wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

Something to think about...

[miss communicat]

[quote=RufusACanal;1778414]
the course along which a person is walking QUOTE]

sounds right to me

[RufusACanal]

If the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous indeed thought that the Steps would take the form of a journey and these same men and women mapped the course of the journey to a specific conclusion, why do so many fail to complete the course? The desire to stay sick is greater than the desire to change. You can wrap this question anyway you want to and it comes out the same. How do I know; listen as the Alcoholic returns after another battle with booze. The story only changes in the degree of damage committed and never does it get better.

[Barto]

Maybe because the numbers go up, the steps go up too, as in a “Stairway to Heaven” – a spiritual awakening? Stairway to Heaven, could be the name of a song.

I wonder how these phrases relate: “Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path,” and … “trudge the road of happy destiny”?

I sometimes wished Bill used a word other than “trudge.” But it can be a difficult road, and there is work involved.

Quotes from First Edition-Alcoholics Anonymous

[miss communicat]

12 steps- a simple program for complicated people.

one of my friends told me years ago that I didn't need a 12 step program but that
I needed a 36 Step program.

That may be because i dissect and analyze each step at least 3 ways.

So, for today, i'm keepin it simple.


But i do like this topic. thanks!

[RufusACanal]

LOL, yes I can relate. The idea that the Steps take us somewhere is the hinge. There is a defined progression in Alcoholic recovery as outlined in the Big Book; Step One, powerless and unmanageable and so on until Step Twelve, reaffirmation of spiritual awakening, call to carry the message and consistency in all our affairs.

[NOMOMERLOTMAMMA]

I just had a thought: GOALS is much too big of a word for alcoholics. Too scary.

Before I came to AA I hadn't reached a goal in my entire life. When I finish the Steps it'll be the very first thing that I've achieved.

Each Step that you take, more is revealed. For sure!

[bballdad]

good topic Rufus

[RufusACanal]

For years I did not want to stay sober, forever. I always left the door open for maybe someday by hiding behind ODAAT. After years of pain and loss, I finally got it. To me, the whole concept of a new life is based on completing a progression of tasks known as the Twelve Steps; if you do not complete the Steps you will not get the advertised results. The AA way works for me and for many that I love and cherish. It would work for those who have fallen by the wayside if they would have simply accepted the First Step.

I am a visual person; I know, please do not comment on my character defects too blantantly, but I try to in part visualize what I learn, so that I can better teach the new man or woman when the opportunity arises.

There is no argument that separates those who have worked the Twelve Steps and now live those same Steps daily.

My Wife just called me minutes ago and her Father just passed away. This is life and I am grateful to be sober and of service.

[NOMOMERLOTMAMMA]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

[miss communicat]

((((((((((((((((prayers of peace for rufus' father in law )))))))))))))))))))))
((((((((((((((((and those who loved him)))))))))))))))

[jimhere]

Originally Posted by RufusACanal

If the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous indeed thought that the Steps would take the form of a journey and these same men and women mapped the course of the journey to a specific conclusion, why do so many fail to complete the course? The desire to stay sick is greater than the desire to change. You can wrap this question anyway you want to and it comes out the same. How do I know; listen as the Alcoholic returns after another battle with booze. The story only changes in the degree of damage committed and never does it get better.

Because the price is high and the way is steep.

The price to pay is the destruction of self-centerdness. The stripping away of illusion. I must become dis-illusioned, giving up everything to God, all my plans and designs, all the false beliefs that I've lived by for so many years, give up my search for comfort.

Marianne Williamson said that most will settle for the dullache of unconsciousness, that nagging sense of "what's wrong," the ache of being isolated in a false sense of self, rather than face the short, sharp pain of discovery. In short, most of us would rather remain asleep dreaming we are awake than to truly wake up.
Jim

[RufusACanal]

Is that me? Yes it is. I have fought so hard for the good that I have forgotten where the good comes from. I was so sure it was me, but I can not deny the truth when I hear it anymore. We leave in the morning for Venezuela and I apologize for mentioning our loss; I type what I am doing and thinking.

[Rob B]

Go in peace friend. God will be with you, we will be here when you return.

[Zanthos]

Of course, you never really "complete" the Steps. You learn how to use them. And then, if you are willing, use them over and over and over for the rest of your life. While learning to use them in new and different ways, as well as re-learning the basics.

[jimhere]

You, your wife & your wife's family are in my prayers. Vaya con Dios my friend.
Jim

[bballdad]

in our prayers too Rufus

[Tazman53]

Great thread and great replies, a hug and a prayer for you and your family Rufus along with my condolances.

[RufusACanal]

Thank you all, we are flying this morning to Caracas. Your love is with us and I would ask one of you to please chair the Saturday morning Early Bird meeting at 800AM CST as I will not have access to a computer I think. We are in the hands of a loving God who makes all things possible. Jim, thank you for thinking when I can not.

Ron

[navysteve]

f the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous indeed thought that the Steps would take the form of a journey and these same men and women mapped the course of the journey to a specific conclusion, why do so many fail to complete the course? The desire to stay sick is greater than the desire to change. You can wrap this question anyway you want to and it comes out the same. How do I know; listen as the Alcoholic returns after another battle with booze. The story only changes in the degree of damage committed and never does it get better.


Rufus, great topic. I'll tell you what I think, bad sponsors and sick meetings make new drunks stay sick. THis is what I hear in meetings:

Read the 12 and 12 for a month, each chapter at least twice - sounds like homework to me? Doesn't match my step book

Call your sponsor everyday, let him or her think for you

Use meetings to dump your garbage. Its ok, talk about anything...

Go to meetings and everything will be ok ( 90 in 90)

These are not a program. The steps are outlined and only one book tells me how to practice them as a way of life. I will not bore anyone with the fake statistics about early AA success ( the 75% number was taken from one group of 29 men) but the truth is that the plan is laid out in simple steps.

Step one- You are a drunk

Step 2- You need a power greater than you

Steps 3 to 11- deliver you at twelve. If you have spiritual awakening and maintain that as a way of life then you are recovered. A word used over and over again in the Big Book.

Sorry if that sounds like I am pontificating. I have been to way too many senseless funerals

I am sorry for your loss sir

[Tazman53]

I probably think about stuff more than is healthy.

Rufus every time I visit this thread I chuckle to myself when I read that line!!!! I am guilty of the same thing!!! My sponsor calls me on that!!! Trying to read between the lines, trying to draw conclusions that in many cases are me trying to think way to far out side of the box!!! LOL

Navy good post!:

Go to meetings and everything will be ok ( 90 in 90)

This 90 in 90 is rehab and detox mumbo-jumbo that has found it's way into AA, I was darn lucky, when I went into detox they pushed 90 in 90, but they also pushed getting a sponsor and step work!!!!

My arse was kicked when I went into detox, when I came out I wanted to grab a 12 pack for the ride home so bad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I prayed a lot on the ride home, all I asked God to do was give me the strength to go straight home, then straight to a meeting and getting a sponsor that night!!!!

The 90 in 90 along with a temporary sponsor helped me to stay sober long enough to get a full time sponsor and work the steps.

Meetings alone do keep some folks sober, but I am one of those alcoholics described in the BB, if I had not thoroughly followed the path of those like me as laid out in the BB, I would be drunk or dead today!

[navysteve]

Taz,

I need the steps, the traditions and the concepts. I also need the fellowship

[Tazman53]

Navy for me it is a package deal as well!

[ananda]

Hi guys - I need the whole package as well

If I remember correctly, its been a while, 90 in 90 is a book that was written by an AA member who decided to do 90 in 90 a long time ago. It was a book where an AA member shared his experience of going to 90 in 90 and what he learned from it.

So to me it is someones experience of something that worked for him to stay sober. I'm pretty sure my sponsor lent it to me to read....but that was 20 yearas or so ago...so m