Chapter Six: Into Action

[nandm]

We have admitted to ourselves that we are powerless over alcohol---that our lives are unmanageable. We are coming to believe that a Power greater than ourselves can restore us to sanity. We have made the decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of the God of our understanding. We have made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Where doe we go from here?

Into Acton gives us the instructions for the next seven steps. This chapter begins by describing how the authors chose someone to discuss their inventory with (72:1-75:1). By following their example, we take Step Five (72:4-17). By being thorough and honest in our attempts at working the first five steps we become ready to let God remove our defects of character (75:16-76:4). By humbly asking God to remove our shortcoming, we take Step Seven (76:6-9). As a result of having begun the practive of the first eight steps we become willing to make amends to those we have harmed (76:13-15). We take our list of those we have harmed and proceed to make these right (76:16). The benefit of beginning this way of life is a complete transformation of our ideas and attitudes (83:21-84:12). Continuing to take personal inventory enables us to see where we are wrong, allowing us to promptly admit it (84:13-85:25). Having been restored to sanity by this process, we strive to broaden and deepen our relationship with God (85:26-88:6).

The authors have shown us what they hav done to recover from alcoholism and in doing so have given us specific instruction and clear-cut directions illustrating what we can do to solve our problem. We have been presented with a body of theory and technique that must be studied and practiced if we are to master and apply there principles to our own lives

[nandm]

Step Five: This vital step will break down the barriers between ourselves, our fellows and our Higher Power.

Steps Six, Seven, and Eight: By working the prior steps we become ready to abandon the aspects of our character that interfere with our usefulness to God. We turn to God to remove our defects and begin our attempt to clean up the wreckage of our past.

Step Nine: A practical method of making amends to those we have harmed frees us from the chains that bind us to our past.

Step Ten: We continue to practice the techniques we have learned by working the prior steps.

Step Eleven: We are given methods by which we may expand our contact with our Higher Power.

[nandm]

1

Having made our personal inventory, what shall we do about it?

There is no way that we can proceed until after we have made our inventory.

2

We have been trying to get a new attitude, a new relationship with our Creator, and to discover the obstacles in our path.

To view those who harm us as spiritually ill, to see that the reason for our fears is that we believe we have only ourselves to rely upon and to realize that our selfishness is the cause of our sex problems, is to encompass the new attitude we have been attempting to develop. In each fourth step list we have been given suggestions for prayer. To deal with our resentments we pray to be released from the control that our anger has on us (67:5). To outgrow our fear we ask God to remove our fears and direct our attention to what God would have us be (68:22). To address our sex problems we ask God to mold our ideals and give us the strength to live up to them (69:18) as well as to show us what we should do about each matter (69:23). These practical prayers are the beginning of our new relationship with God.

4-5

Now these are about to be cast out. This requires action on our part, which, when completed, will mean that we have admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being, the exact nature of our defects.

This is nota self-help program. This is a method by which we may gain access to God's help. God removes those defects of character that we have admitted block our usefulness to God and our fellows. We must willingly participate in this process if we are to realize its benefits. By taking the Fifth Step we place ourselves in the best position to recieve God's help.

7

This is perhaps difficult --- especially discussing our defects with another person.

"This is perhaps difficult" seems humorous, as much an understatment as "At some of these we balked" (58:10). The authors know us well.

12-16

We will be more reconciled to discussing ourselves with another person when we see good reasons why we should do so. The best reason first: if we skip this vital step, we may not overcome drinking. Time after time newcomers have tried to keep to themselves certain facts about their lives. Trying to avoid this humbling experience, they have turned to easier methods. Almost invariably they got drunk.

This is a practical program. We do it because it works. The experience of millions of recovered alcoholics is impossible to deny. If we fail to follow our third step decision with these actions, it likely will have no permanent effect (64:1). If we cannot establish a relationship with a Power greater than ourselves we may not recovery from alcoholism (44:3-4).

This step is humbling. It produces an understanding of who and what we really are and is the first step toward becoming who we might be. This humility removes the need for the barriers we build to protect ourselves from other people. We can not be humilated in areas where we are humble. If we have not admitted to ourselves that we are taller than average then comments about our height will offend us. If we develop humility then our self-esteem becomes unshakable.


Source:
The Annotated AA Handbook
Frank D

[nandm]

1

Having perservered with the rest of the program, they wondered why they fell.

This explains why we need to take all of the steps in order. As we work the following steps our understanding of the previous ones broadnes and deepens. Picking and choosing which steps we prefer to take produces little or no results. This is a suggested program, not a program of suggestions. Each subsequent step depends and builds upon our experience with each of the earlier steps. Few who have not admitted powerlessness will be willing to abandon their old way of life and adopt a new one. Few who are unwilling to believe in a Power greater than themselves will decide to turn their will and life over to the care of God. Why do a moral inventory if we are not seeking to be rid of those aspects of ourselves that block us from God? What admissions can we make to God, ourselves and another person if we have not developed the insight to recognize the real problem? We need to take all the steps to successfully overcome alcoholism.

2-5

We think the reason is that they never completed their house cleaning. They took inventory all right, but hung on to some of the worst items in stock. The only thought they had lost their egoism and fear; they only thought they had humbled themsleves. But they had not learned enough humility, fearlessness and honesty, in the sense we find it necessary, until they told someone else all their life story.

The authors are being polite and trying to avoid making judgments of us. Let us not fool ourselves into believing that they are referring to someone else. Cross out the word "they" in every sentence and replace it with "I". We need to learn the benefits of this way of life first hand. We need to have our own individual spiritual experiences. Practicing the fifth step enables us to directly experience this spiritually based way of life and to reap its benefits.

6-17

More than most people, the acloholic leads a double life. He is very much the actor. To the outer world he presents his stage character. This is the one he likes his fellows to see. He wants to enjoy a certain reputation, but knows in his heart he doesn't deserve it.

The inconsistency is made worse by the things he does on his sprees. Coming to his senses, he is revolted at certain episodes he vaguely remembers. These memories are a nightmare. He trembles to think someone might have observed him. As fast as he can, he pushes these memories far inside himself. He hopes they will never see the light of day. He is under constant fear and tension --- taht makes for more drinking.

This is a description of an alcoholic. We can see how well we fit this description. We are egomaniacs with inferiority complexes. Our drinking causes us many embarrassments, but our egotistic outlook sets us up for humilation and remorse even when we are sober. If drinking was the cause, we would no longer suffer this fear and tension when we quit drinking. We have much more work to do if we are to develop the degree of humility necessary to gain release from the humilations caused by our self-centerdness.

21-23

We have seldom told them the whole truth, nor have we followed their advice. Unwilling to be honest with these sympathetic men, we were honest with no one else. Small wonder many in the medical profession have a low opinion of alcoholics and their change for recovery!

We lie to those who try to help us to prevent them from interfering wiht our self-will. We hate to be opposed and obstinately refuse to follow advice. This is why this book is written in such a soft, non-judgmental language. We would reject any advice the authors tried to give us and the truth would hurt our feelings. The authors, being alcoholics themselves, knew this and thus make no judgments and offer no advice. We are free to decide whether to follow their successful example or not.


Source:
The Annotated AA Handbook
Frank D

[nandm]

5

Of course, we sometimes encounter people who do not understand alcoholics.

This is a good reason to choose a sponsor. Someone who has taken the steps can show us what they have done. Someone "armed with facts about themselves" can be very helpful to us as we seek the truth about ourselves. Our sponsor will understand our need to be absolutely honest.

8-11

It may be one of our own family, but we cannot disclose anything to our wives or our parents which will hurt them and make them unhappy. We have no right to save our own skin at another person's expense. Such parts of our story we tell to someone who will understand, yet be unaffected. The rule is we must be hard on ourself, but always considerate of others.

This is one of the only rules in this book. Do we have such a lack of concern for the well being of others that we would try to gain relief for ourselves at their expense? We are attempting to gain freedome from selfishness.

12-14

Notwithstanding the great necssity for discussing ourselves with someone, it may be one is so situated that there is no suitable person available. If that is so, this step may be postponed, only, however, if we hold ourselves in complete readiness to go through with it at the first opportunity. We say this because we are very anxious that we talk to the right person.

The right person will understand the spiritual necessity of discussing our shortcomings with them. We gain humility through this step. Our ego, our conscious separation from God and our fellows, is decreased by admitting our faults to others. Admitting our wrongs and taking the steps to make matters right eliminates the guilt we feel. When a matter has been righted, the pangs of remorse we now feel are replaces with spiritual experience from which we may draw strength. Our worst failings, when coupled with humility become the tools God uses to help others.


Source:
The Annotated AA Handbook
Frank D

[nandm]

1

But we must not use this as a mere excuse to postpone.

We grow accustomed to the prison of secrets we have built for ourselves. We fear replacing the cruel but familiar tyrant of self will with the, as yet unknown, guidance of God. We procrastinate because we are prideful and wish others to believe in the false character we present. Admitting to God, to ourselves and another person who we really are and what our actual motivations have been allows us to be free to live this new way of life.

4

We explained to our partner what we are about to do, and why we have to do it. He should realize that we are engaged upon a life-and-death errrand.

We are about to admit to another person the exact nature of our wrongs. We are going to discuss our deepest motives, exactly what it is in us that makes us act the way we do. We will discuss our selfishness, our self-seeking actions, our dishonesty and fears. The reason we reveal our innermost selves is that we must if we are to gain lasting sobriety. We are attempting to learn a way of life based on humility, fearlessness and honesty. We are willing to discuss our shortcomigs because our very lives depend upon our beginning the practice of the steps.

8-15

Once we have taken this step, withholding nothing, we are delighted. We can look the world in they eye. We can be alone at perfect peace and ease. Our fears fall from us. We begin to feel the nearness of our Creator. We may have had certain spiritual beliefs, but now we begin to have a spiritual experience. The feeling that the drink problem has disappeared will often come strongly. We feel we are on the Broad Highway walking hand in hand with the Spirit of the Universe.

The list of promises, which are the results of taking our Fifth Step, make it all worthwhile. This is a very practical program. It works! If we did not realize results from adopting these practices we would abandon them. One benefit is that humility replaces humiliation. Instead of the pain of humiliation we gain the peace of forgiveness. We are able to forgive ourselves for being human and full of faults. We can see the path ahead that leads us to the type of life we have always wished we could live.

Experience is the best teacher. We gain experience be repeated practice of the techniques explained in each of the 12 steps. This is our own personal experience gained through direct application of spiritual principles to solve our problems. As we progress we develop faith that God will give us the help we need.

16-23

Returning home we find a place where we can be quiet for an hour, carefully reviewing what we have done. We thank God from the bottom of our heart that we know Him better. Taking this book down from our shelf we turn to the page which contains the twelve steps. Carefully reading the first five proposals we ask if we have omitted anything, for we are building an arch through which we shall walk a free man at last. Is our work solid so far? Are the stones properly in place? Have we skimped on the cement put into the foundation? Have we tried to make mortar with sand?

These are specific instructions for preparing for the sixth step. We become entirely ready to have God remover our defects of character by taking the five previous steps. Our admitssion of powerlessness over alcohol and unmanageability of our lives turns us necessarily to a Power greater than ourselves. Making the decision to turn our lives over to the care of God sends us on the quest to face and be rid of the things in us that block us off from God. By idenifying our failings and admitting them to God, ouselves, and another human being, we become entirely ready to have God remove them.

The admissioin of our defects brings us closer to God. When we draw close, God is revealed to us (57:12). The instruction for this prayer is simple. The expression of our gratitude to God places us in the proper frame of mind to continue with the next steps.

An arch is a stable and strong structure capable of withstanding pressure and strain. The component pieces of an arch work together to support themselves, thus each component part of the arch is necessary. The omission of any part of the arch will cause the whole structure to fall.


Source:
The Annotated AA Handbook
Frank D

[nandm]

2-5

We have emphasized willingness as being indispensable. Are we now ready to let God remove from us all the things which we have admitted are objectionable? Can He now take them all---every one? Should we still cling to something we will not let go, we ask God to help us to be willing.

These are the directions for Step Six. They are simple and straightforward. Are we willing to abandon our selfish, self-centered way of life and adopt fully a life guided by God? We have discovered many character flaws. Have we admitted that these things are the truth? Are we willing to let go of our old ideas, attitudes and actions? Are we willing to adopt this new outlook on life? Are we willing to pray for willingness in those areas at which we balk? If we are willing, we will continue to the Seventh Step.

6-9

When ready, we say something like this: "My Creator, I am now willing that you should have all of me, good and bad. I pray that you now remove from me every single defect of character which stands in the way of my usefulness to you and my fellows. Grant me strength, as I go out from here, to do your bidding. Amen.

The Seventh Step prayer is an expression of humility. We are acknowledging our need to have God's help in overcoming our defect of character. We have analyzed our character and admitted to God, ourselves, and another person, what it is in us that blocks us off from God. By doing this, we become ready to have God remove our defects of character.

This is not a self-help program. If we were able to live up to our ideals, we would have done so. We are powerless to bring about the total rearrangement of our ideas, emotions, and attitudes that is necessary if we are to live this new way of life. We adopt as a new guiding principle for our lives, the search to find and do God's will. We place ourselves in the position to recieve God's help by making a conscious decision to abandon our old idea that the application of self-will would produce happiness and satisfaction.

By allowing God to make use of all aspects of our characters, our strengths and our weaknesses, we more completely abandon self-seeking and self-centeredness.

We allow God to determine which aspects of our character are most useful. What we perceve as a weakness may make us more approachable to others. What we perceive as a strength may diminish our usefulness. We let God decide.

If we were able to do God's will we would. By practicing the principles of this program we learn how to access this Power greater than ourselves. One of the techniques we use is to ask for help in prayer.

We do not seek God's help to accomplish our self-seeking objectives. The new focus of our lives is to find and do God's will for us. Our seeking will result in our finding God's will for us. God's power is available to us for the asking, with it we will be able to overcome the temptation to act in self-seeking ways.

10

We have then completed Step Seven.

The steps are not magic tricks that fix us at first try, but rather techniques for living life successfully.

11

Now we need more action without which we find that "Faith without works is dead."

True faith will result in works and works will keep our faith alive. For our faith to be life giving we must act upon it. By acting upon our faith we acquire spiritual experience. Faith is not an intellectual exercise, we must re-establish our lives upon a spiritual basis if we are to live. Being guided by the principles of love of God and love of our fellows, our actions bring our faith to life.

13-15

We have a list of all persons we have harmed and to whom we are willing to make amends. We made it when we took inventory. We subjected ourselves to a drastic self-appraisal.

DEFINITION:
Amend: to change for the better.

These are the directions for the Eigth Step. We use the names from our fourth step lists, however, we may need to include others. We may want to examine our relationships with any additional people we add to our list in the ways we have learned in the fourth step. We have become willing to make amends to these people as we now can clearly see the harm we have caused.

The commentary on the book entitled: "Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions" contains detailed instructions for a thorough examination of harms done to others. That text suggests we analyze our actions and motives as a way of determining exactly which of our character traits are the source of the harms we cause others.

Our appraisal is of ourselves, not the other person.

We falsly believe that by avoiding our responsibility to right our wrongs we have escaped punishment for them. When we think of many of the people we have harmed, we feel the cringe of guilt and hope never to see them again. This self-imposed punishment is far worse than the humiliation or judgment from others we fear we will receive when we admit our mistakes. the replacement of our fear with the feeling of release brought about by our amends is proof positive that this spiritual way of life works. This is spiritual experience that we can draw upon when faced with fear and doubt of what to do when we are in conflict with others.

17

We attempt to sweep away the debris which has accumulated our of our effort to live on self-will and run the show ourselves.

The debris caused by our misapplication of self-will blocks us from God, hinders our progress, and chains us to the past. We must clear up these matters to be free to live our new lives. Not dealing with the harms we caused in a timely manner allows them to build up. This piling up of neglected responsibilities makes the load we carry in life unbearable. In the Eigth Step we learn how to right our wrongs and in the Tenth Step we learn how to prevent them from beginning to pile up again.

18

If we haven't the will to do this, we ask until it comes.

Asking in prayer for the willingness to face up to our past will work if we do it. Remember, we are no longer operating solely on our own limited power and courage, but we now have access to the limitelss power of God. God can do for use what we are unable to do for ourselves.

19

Remember it was agreed at the begining we would go to any lengths for victory over alcohol.

"If you have decided you want what we have and are willing to go to any lengths to get it---then you are ready to take certain steps" (58:9). Victory over alcohol and a spiritual experience (79:5) are the "it" we are willing to go to any lengths to get. Step Nine is one "length" we must go to if we are to realize these goals.


Source:
The Annotated AA Handbook
Frank D

[nandm]

4

Our real purpose is to fit ourselves to be of maximum service to God and the people about us.

We have decided to abandon self-seeking as our path in life. We are not seeking the satisfaction of our desires, but rather to find our place in God's plan. We practice these principles and thus expand our capabilities. By the repeated practice of making amneds, we expand our personal experience with a spiritually baseed way of life. We develop skill through repetition. We learn how to be useful to God and other people by trying. We prove to ourselves that this way of life works.

5

It is seldom wise to approach an individual, who still smarts from our injustice to him, and announce that we have gone religious.

Specific and clear-cut direction for the Ninth Step begins here. We should study these instructions carefully prior to beginning our amends so that we may avoid making matters worse. We can gain from the experience of thsoe who have already begun the practice of making amends.

10

He is going to be more interested in a demonstration of good will than in our talk of spiritual discoveries.

"The spiritual life is not a theory. We have to live it" (83:7-8). When we demonstrate our willingness to admit our wrongs, ask forgiveness for them and (if appropriate) to repay, we make a powerful statement about the benefits of a spiritually based life. Our actions speak far more powerfully and persuasively than our words.

12

When it will serve any good purpose, we are willing to announce our convictions with tact and common sense.

We look to serve rather than to gain by our actions.. When our motives for announcing our convictions are to be helpful to another person rather than to bolster our own confidence in our new way of life, we are applying our tradition of attraction rather than promotion. When we seek to give rather than take, our message will have a depth, weight, and power unavailable to us when our motives are self-seeking.

15

Neverhteless, with a person we dislike, we take the bit in our teeth.

We take these steps voluntarily. This act of surrender frees us of the bondage of pride. The effect of making amends for our wrongs is that the chains that bind us to our old way of living are broken. Their control over us is removed. We are set free to become the people we most wish to be.

16

It is harder to go to an enemy than to a friend, but we find it much more beneficial to us.

It is easier to lift a small weight, but only by lifting a heavy weight do we grow. It did not take much spiritual effort to stop drinking when we saw that it was killing us. It takes a great deal more effort to develop the humility required to fully recover from alcoholism.

77:18-78:3

Under no condition do we criticize such a person or argue. Simply we tell him that we will never get over drinking until we have done our utmost to straighten out the past. We are there to sweep off our side of the street, realizing that nothing worth while can be accomplished until we do so, never trying to tell him what he should do. His faults are not discussed. We stick to our own. If our manner is calm, frank, and open, we will be gratified with the result.

These are specific instructions for us to follow. If we want the promised results we must follow the example of those who have gone before us. Our focus must be on giving not taking. We are not doing this to extract confessions of wrong doing from those we have harmed. If they wish to own wrongdoings we let them, but we should not attempt to manipulate them into doing this.


Source:
The Annotated AA Handbook
Frank D

[nandm]

24

Most of us have done that sort of thing.

Most of us, sharing common character defects, bring similiar types of trouble into our lives. Greed causes us to steal in large or small amounts, envy causes us to slander or gossip, sloth causes us to neglect our responsibilities, gluttony causes us to seek more pleasures than are good for us, pride causes us to put up false fronts and lust causes us to damage relationships. These defects, present in various degrees, have the power to control us until we admit to ourselves, to God, and to another person, that they exist and ask God to remove them. Being free from the control of these shortcomings, we then take the actions described in the Ninth Step to bring our new found faith to life.


Source:
The Annotated AA Handbook
Frank D

[nandm]

5-7

Reminding ourselves that we have decided to go to any lengths to fidn a spiritual experience, we ask that we be given strength and direction to do the right thing, no matter what the personal consequences may be. We may lost our position or reputation, or face jail, but are willing. We have to be. We must not shrink at anything.

Though we may not have recognized it for what it was, the conscious awareness of the existence of God and the resulting change in the lives of those we know who have experienced this is what first attracted us to this way of life. The authors found that the result of taking these steps is a spiritual awakening. As we practice these steps we begin to awaken spriitually. We continue to practice these principles because we see for ourselves that it works.

We make direct amends to those we have harmed except when to do so would harm them or others. We sometimes hear that we are to consider ourselves as one of the "others." This is not what the book says. We have avoided making amends because we feared the consequences, thus the weight of our misdeeds builds into an unbearable load. By facing the consequences, whatever they may be, we bring our faith in God to life. We do not make amends under our own power, but under the guidance and protection of God.

9-10

Usually, howeve, other people are involved. Therefore, we are not to be the hasty and foolish maryr who would needlessly sacrifice others to save himself from the alcoholic pit.

We must not lighten our own load while increasing the burden of others. Careful thought and consultiation with others must precede each amend we make. Selfishly pursuing our own reliefe while disreagarding the best interest of others will only compound our problems.

17-22

We thought he ought to be willing to do that if necessary, but if he were in jail, he could provide nothing for either family. We suggested he write his first wife admitting his faults and asking forgiveness. He did,and also sent a small amount of money. He told her what he would try to do in the future. He said he was perfectly willing to go to jail if she insisted. Of course she did not, and the whole situation has long since been adjusted.

Our amends are concrete evidence to ourselves and others of the benefits of a spiritual life. Repaying the money owed, asking for forgiveness for harm done others, and attempting to set our wrongs right makes us fit to be of use to God and our fellows.


Source:
The Annotated AA Handbook
Frank D

[nandm]

1-2

Before taking drastic action which might implicate other people we secure their consent. If we have obtained permission, have consulted with others, asked God to help, and the drastic step is indicated we must not shrink.

We are given explicit instructions on how to proceed. Consultation with others is important. They will be able to see our situation more objectively. Prayer is essential in enlisting the help of God. We are no longer living under our own direction and power. We can proceed confidently knowing our actions are well thought out and that we have a higher purpose to attend to. The knowledge that our amends will bring us closer to God can help us overcome our fear of the consequences of our actions. By making amends we prove to ourselves that we can trust God.

3-17

This brings to mind a story about one of our friends. While drinking, he accepted a sum of money from a bitterly-hated business rival, giving him no receipt for it. He subsequently denied having received the money and used the incident as a basis for discrediting the man. He htus used his own wrong-doing as a means of destroying the reputation of another. In fact, his rival was ruined.

He felt he had done a wrong he could not possibly make right. If he opened that old affair, he was afraid it would destroy the reputation of his partner, disgrace his family and take away his means of livelihook. What right had he to involve those dependent upon him? How could he possibly make a public statment exonerating his rival?

After consulting with his wife and partner he came to the conclusion that is was better to take those risks than to stand before his Creator guilty of such ruinous slander. He saw that he had to place the outcome in God's hands or he would soon start drinking again, and all would be lost anyhow. He attended church for the first time in many years. After the sermon, he quietly got up and made an explanation. His action met widespread approval, and today he is one of the most trusted citizens of his town. This all happened three years ago.

The experience of others helps to bolster our courage. Repeatedly acting upon our new found faith gives us our own spiritual experience to rely upon. In this manner, we build our faith and it becomes a living part of our lives. Our new way of life is simple and practical. It works!


Source:
The Annotated AA Handbook
Frank D

[nandm]

10-20

Whatever the situation, we usually have to do something about it. If we are sure our wife does not know, should we tell her? Not always, we think. If she knows in a general way that we have been wild, should we tell her in detail? Undoubtedly we should admit our fault. She may insist on knowing all the particulars. She will want to know who the woman is and where she is. We feel we ought to say to her that we have no right to involve another person. We are sorry for what we have done, and God willing, it shall not be repeated. More than that we cannot do; we have no right to go further. Though there may be justifiable exceptions, and though we wish to lay down no rule of any sort, we have often found this the best course to take.

Suggestions for dealing with troubles at home are given. We will have examined our sex lives in Step Four. We have asked God to help mold our ideals. Straighening out our domestic situation is a primary part of our attempt to live up to our new ideals. "A mere code of morals or a better philosophy of life" will not result in our recovery. Only by living, with God's help, our new way of life can we expect to overcome the troubles we have been experiencing.

Source:
The Annotated AA Handbook
Frank D

[nandm]

5

Each might pray about it, having the other one's happiness uppermost in mind.

Prayer begins the power of God to bear upon situations that seem beyond our ability to rectify. Our faith grows as we learn from our own experience that we can rely upon God's help. The key is the change of focus in the prayer suggested here. Rather than pray for our desires to be satisfied, we pray with the other person's happiness foremost in our minds. Life's greatest joy is found in being useful to others and bringing whatever happiness we can to their lives.

8-11

Should we have no such complication, there is plenty we should do at home. SOmetimes we hear an alcoholic say that the only thing he needs to do is to keep sober. Certainly he must keep sober, for there will be no home if he doesn't. but he is yet a long way from making good to the wife or parents whom for years he has so shockingly treated.

Quitting drinking is just the beginning (19:2) both of our recovery and of our amends to those closest to us. Much more must be done in each case. We must awaken spiritually to overcome the selfishness that is at the root of our problems and we must make amends to fit ourselves to be of maximum use to God and our fellows (77:4). Each wrong against another is like a strong cord that binds us to our past. Each cord must be cut individually if we are to be free. As each wrong is addressed, its pull on us is eliminated, allowing us to act in new ways rather than be condemned to repeat our past mistakes.

14-19

The alcoholic is like a tornado roaring his way through the lives of others. Hearts are broken. Sweet relationships are dead. Affections have been uprooted. Selfish and inconsiderate habits have kept the hoem in turmoil. We feel a man in unthinking when he says that sobriety is enough.

Selfishness and self-centeredness are at the root of our problems (62:2). Stopping drinking, while imperative, is just the beginning (19:2). The way we think, feel, view, and react to the world must change if we are to live happily (27:12). Step Nine is an important part of bringing about the needed change.


Source:
The Annotated AA Handbook
Frank D.

[nandm]

1-6

Yes, there is a long period of reconstruction ahead. We must take the lead. A remorseful mumbling that we are sorry won't fill the bill at all. We ought to sit down with the family and frankly analyze the past as we now see it, being very careful not to criticize them. Their defects may be glaring, but the chances are that our own actions are partly responsible. So we clean house with the family, asking each morning in meditation that our Creator show us the way of patience, tolerance, and kindliness, and love.

The instructions that the authors give us for straightening out our home lives are clear. Having examined ourselves and admitted our defects, we turn to God to have them removed. The truth is not obscured by the shadow of selfish self-interest. The acknowledgment of our part in the family troubles will set an example for our family of a successful way to deal with difficulties.

When we turn to God for guidance, we are presented with opportunities to act in accordance with God's will. We find ourselves in situations that call for decisions. We can act in our own illusory self-interest and experience the same baleful results as we always have or we can act under the guidance of God and experience different results. As we awaken spiritually, we become better at recognizing the wonderful opportunities we are given and begin to watch for them.

7-8

The spiritual life is not a theory. We have to live it.

This is not an intellectual exercise. Codes or morals and philosophies of life will not save us. If we are to live, we must establish an effective relationship with a Power greater than ourselves. We are not in need of a mere change in behavior, but a change in heart.

21

If we are painstaking aobu thtis phase of our development, we will be amazed before half through.

During this phase of our development, we learn the theory and techniques that make up our new way of life. By practicing repeatedly the application of these spiritual principles in every area of our lives, we build spiritual experience. Our experience enables us to rely upon God.

22

We are going to know a new freedom and happiness.

We begin to experience freedome from the hundreds of forms of fear, self-delusion, self-seeking, and self-pity that are the root causes of our failed outlook, attittudes, emotions, and actions.

23

We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it.

Our regrets are addressed in Steps Four through Nine. In the Steps Four and Five we reinterpret our past. In Steps Six and Seven we position ourselves for the removal of those character defects that have caused our problesm. In Step Eight and Nine we repair the damage we have done. These steps transform our painful past into a useful spiritual tool.

24

We will comprehend the word serenity and know peace.

The peace and serenity we expereince comes as a result of conforming our will to that of God's.


Source:
The Annotated AA Handbook
Frank D.

[nandm]

83:21-84:12

If we are painstaking about this phase of our development we will be amazed before half through. We are going to know a new freedom and happiness. We will not regret the past, nor wish to shut the door on it. We will comprehend the word serenity and know peace. No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others. That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear. We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows. Self-seeking will slip away. Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change. Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us. We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us. We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.

Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled among us---sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. They will always materialize if we work for them.

The famous AA Promises are brought about by the application of spiritual principles in our lives. They are not the result of merely quitting drinking and attending AA meetings. A spiritual awakening results in a change in the way we act and perceive the world around us. This new way of life addresses the problems of the past and prevents new problems from arising. We have a new way of dealing with the seeming, hardships and tragedies that are a part of life.

[nandm]

1

No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others.

Our past becomes an asset that we can use to help other people. Our past helps new people identify with us and shows them that new lives are also possible for them.

2

That feeeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear.

Adopting this new way of life gives us a new direction and purpose for living.

3-4

We will lost interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows. Self-seeking will slip away.

AAs we are restored to sanity, we see the rewards of selflessness greatly exceed the illusionary benefits of self-seeking.

5

Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change.

Our attitude towards life and our view of the world based on self-centered fear are changed as a result of practicing these spiritual principles. We live our way into a new way of thinking.

6

Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us.

When we focus on what we can give rather than what we can take, we lose our fear that we will not get what we want. We are no longer afraid that our own resources are all that we have to draw upon. We find that conscious contact with God is all we really need to be happy in life.

7

We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us.

We practice the application of spiritual principles as a way of addressing our problems and find the guidance of God is available to us when we seek it.

8

We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.

The truth is that if we could have stopped drinking, addressed our defects of character, and righted our past wrongs on our own power we would have done so long ago. By seeking in earnest, we have accessed a Power greater than ourselves. All we need to do for proof is to examine the results.

12

They will always materialize if we work for them.

The key is that we must work to build sufficient spiritual experience so that we may draw upon it when we are challenged or tempted. These profound changes in our lives come about as the result of the repeated application of spiritual principles in all areas of our lives. It works for everyone who honestly tries.

13

This thought brings us to Step Ten, which suggests we continue to take personal inventory and continue to set right any new mistakes as we go along.

To continue, we must first begin. We learn how to take inventory in Steps Four and Five. We learn how to address our character defects in Steps Six and Seven. We learn how to make amends for the harm we have caused in Steps Eight and Nine. We practice these techniques until we master them. Then we are at Step 10.

15

We have entered the world of Spirit.

We enter the world of the Spirit when we have cleared away all the obstacles that stand in our way. To maintain our conscious contact with our Higher Power we must continue to practice the principles of the program. Should we revert back to self-sufficiency we become separate from God.

16

Our next function is to grow in understanding and effectiveness.

We grow by study and practice. Bill W. adopted spiritual ideas and practices that brought about a spiritual awakening while in Town's Hospital. He reflected upon his experience so that he could transmit this experience to others. The result was the Twelve Steps of AA. By studying this program of action and practicing the principles described in this book, we become more effective at carrying this solution to others.

18

It should continue for our life time.

The steps of this program are not magic tricks to be performed once so that they might solve all our problems. Rather, the steps are a discipline, a body of theory and technique that must be studied and practiced if we are to be able to apply this program to our lives. We continue with the techniques we have begun to practice in the earlier steps. We continue to write our inventory. We continue to admit our shortcomings. We continue to ask God for relief from our shortcomings and we continue to make amends when we are wrong.

22-23

Then we resoluely turn our thoughts to someone we can help. Love and tolerance of others is our code.

Being freed from the chains of selfishness we are able to follow a path that leads to happiness, joy, and fulfillment. Our very lives depend upon this change of motivation (20:1). While we are in the grip of selfishness we are dead to the Spirit. Our work helping others brings our faith to life so that we may truly live.


Source:
The Annotated AA Handbook
Frank D

[nandm]

1-11

We see that our new attitude toward liquor has been given us without any thought or effort on our part. It just comes! That is the miracle of it. We are not fighting it, neither are we avoiding temptation. We feel as though we had been placed in a position of neutrality---safe and protected. We have not even sworn off. Instead, the problem has been removed. It does not exist for us. We are neither cocky, nor are we afraid. That is our experience. That is how we react so long as we keep in fit spiritual condition.

Our spiritual malady must be overcome before we straighten out mentally and physically (64:18). The obsession to drink leaves many of us as we admit to ourselves, to God, and to another person, the exact nature of our wrongs (75:14). Though all our human resources have failed to overcome our alcoholism, we find that God can and will.

12

It is easy to let up on the spiritual program of action and rest on our laurels.

DEFINITION:
Laurels: honors won for achievemnt.

Stopping drinking and finding God does not make us spiritual giants. Many of us come crawling in with our lives shattered, willing to do anything for a hope of escape from alcoholic torture. Soon the pain and suffering is forgotten and our egos begin to resurface. We begin to feel a conscious separation from God. The insanity returns. We feel that we are capable of managing our own lives and God is relegated to the role of bush league pinch hitter. Yesterday's conscious contact will not keep us sober to day. We must continue the practices we have learned in the steps.

15

What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenace of our spiritual condition.

DEFINITION:
Reprieve: temporary respite from punishment.

Our spiritual condition is one of humility developed through our admission of powerlessness and confession of our character defects. God's help is available to us only when we are humble enough to acknowledge our need for it. Should the illusion of self-sufficiency return in sufficient strength to block us from God, our own human resources will be all we have at our disposal when confronted with temptation or uncertaintey. COntinuing the practices that help to humble keeps us in fit spiritual condition.

16-20

Every day is a day when we must carry the vision of God's will inot all of our activites. How can I best serve Thee---Thy will (not mine) be done. These are thoughts which must go with us constantly. We can exercise our willpower along this line all we wish. It is the proper use of the will.

The realignment of our motivations, thinking, and actions brings about miraculous changes in our lives. Casting aside our selfishness, we fill our thoughts and lives with the search for ways to be useful to God and our fellows. We thus gain access to the infinite power of God. The authors suggest several techniques throughout this book that we may use to direct our thinking towards God's will.

22

If we have carefully followed directions, we have begun to sense the flow of His Spirit into us.

Taking what we want from this program of action and leaving the rest will not bring about the spiritual awakening that we must experience if we are to overcome alcoholism. Picking and choosing those parts that are most appealing to us will not allow us to undergo the entire psychic change that results in our restoration to sanity. The authors give clear-cut directions (29:1) for us to follow if we desire to have victory over alcohol (76:19) and find a spiritual experience (79:5).

By admitting to ourselves the need for God, confessing our shortcomings, and attempting to clean up the wreckage of our past, we open ourselves to the entry of God. The abandonment of our old ways of thinking and acting creates a cavity in us that the Spirit quickly fills.

23

To some extent we have become God-conscious.

We become God-conscious by the direct personal experience we develop through working the steps. We adopt new ways of viewing the world and our part in it. We practice accessing the power of God to solve our problems. In these practical ways we come to believe in the ability of this Power to restore us to sanity. We come to know from our experience that we can rely upon the help of our Higher Power.


Source:
The Annotated AA Handbook
Frank D

[nandm]

1

It works, if we have the proper attitude and work at it.

When we admit we really do need God and can not manage our own lives, we are able to seek God with a willingness that is unavailable to us for as long as we hold on to the idea that self-sufficency will someday result in our happiness.

4

When we retire at night, we constructively review our day.

We are to constructively, rather than destructively review our day. We are attempting to learn and grow from our experiences. If we never look again at our mistakes and successes, we will not learn from them.

5

Were we resentful, selfish, dishonest, or afraid?

We learn how harmful our resentments, selfishness, dishonesty, and fears are by taking our Fourth Step inventory. We should be quite skilled at recognizing these shortcomings in ourselves by now. Praying to God to save us from being angry and to remove our shortcomings worked when we took the earlier steps, so we have learned to rely on prayer to work now.

6

Do we owe an appology?

We have learned that making amends works so well at lightening the load we carry in life that we know just what to do when our mistakes cause harm to others.

7

Have we kept something to ourselves which should be discussed with another person at once?

Our admission of character defects dismantles the wall that separates us from others. Few techniques we have learned have been so successful at allowing the Spirit of God to flow into us as this one. Of course it will continue to work for us as long as we continue to apply this principle to our lives.

8-11

Were we kind and loving toward all? What could we have done better? Were we thinking of ourselves most of the time? Or were we thinking of what we could do for others, of what we could pack into the stream of life?

Having been restored to sanity, we can plainly see where our thinking is off the beam. We know now how to handle situations that used to baffle us. When we feel remorseful, we know it is due to our selfishness and self-seeking. Constant thought of others and how we might help to meet their needs is the answer we have found (20:1).

13

After making our review we ask God's forgiveness and inquire what corrective measures should be taken.

As in each of the steps, we are given clear-cut directions on how to access the power of God to make needed changes in our lives. We ask God to forgive us---to come to us first. When we fall short of perfection we ask God for help. Thankfully this works. When we ask God for guidance to live up to our ideals, we recieve the help we need.

16

Before we begin, we ask God to direct our thinking, especially askign that it be divorced from self-pity, dishonest, or self-seeking motives.

Our restoration to sanity is the result of the replacement of selfishness and self-centeredness with God consciousness. Rather than leap immediately into planning how to arrange our affairs to suit ourselves we pray for direction from God. God's will, rather than self-seekign, is the focus of our thoughts. Should we ignore these clear-cut directions, our thinking will be self-directed. Remembering how well self-directed thinking has worked for us in the past, we can be motivated to follow this method of re-directing the focus of our thoughts.

Many people joke that AA will ruin one's drinking. Likewise praying for God to keep our thinking from beign influenced by our defects serves to make us conscious of our motivations. We see plainly what it is that is driving our thoughts and actions and turn to God for relief.

86:19-87:1

In thinking about our day we may face indecision. We may not be able to determine which course to take. Here we ask God for inspiration, an intuitive thought or a decision. We relax and take it easy. We don't struggle. We are often surprises how the right answers come after we have tried this a while. What used to be the hunch or the occassional inspiration gradually becomes a working part of the mind.

Asking God for guidance allows God to use our lives to the greatest benefit. We are able to "relax and take it easy" because we know we can rely upon the will of God to work out for the best. Even our troubles become opportunities to demonstrate and thus deepen our faith.


Source:
The Annotated AA Handbook
Frank D

[nandm]

2-5

Being still inexperienced and just making conscious contact with God, it is not probable that we are going to be inspired at all times. We might pay for this presumption in all sorts of absurd actions and ideas. Neverthelss we find that our thinking will, as times passes, be more and more on the plane of inspiration. We come to rely upon it.

We must be careful not to confuse rationalizations for our actions with guidance from God (103:7-8, 12&12). Checking with others on the guidance we receive is a prudent practice (60:5-11, 12&12). Our attempts to establish and maintain a channel of communication with God allow us to spend more and more time in conscious contact with our Creator.

6-11

We usually conclude the period of meditaion with a prayer that we be shown all through the day what our next step is to be, that we be given whatever we need to take care of such problems. We ask especially for freedom from self-will, and are careful to make no request for ourselves only. We may ask for ourselves, however, if other will be helped. We are careful never to pray for our own selfish ends. Many of us have wasted a lot of time doing that, and it doesn't work. You can easily see why.

Have you ever bought a new car and suddenly become aware of how many similiare cars are on the road? All of the sudden you see other cars like yours several blocks away when in the past you would never have noticed them. As meditation upon God's will for us replaces self-seeking, opportunities for usefulness in ways large and small appear all around us. We begin to see the true purpose and meaning of our lives.

Be careful what you pray for, you just might get it. This old adage rings true. We know the baleful results of achieving our selfish ends. We decided in the third step to quit playing God and instead turned our will and our lives over to the care of God. When used properly, prayer turns us into a mighty tool to be wielded by God.

13

If we belong to a religious denomination which requires a definite morning devotion, we attend to that also.

Our practices in no way conflict with an individual's religious observations. Many of us find a new understanding and a deeper relevance to our individual religious beliefs.

17

Be quick to see where religious people are right.

We are no longer blinded by unreasoned prejudice from seeing the spiritual truths contained in the religious beliefs and practices of others. We can benefit greatly from those who have made deep study of the nature of God.

19

As we go through the day, we pause when agitated or doubtful, and ask for the right thought or action.

Pausing when agitated or doubtful is a change from our old way of dealing with these situations. Rather than lashing out in a vain attempt to manipulate events to our favor, we ask God for guidance.

20

We constantly remind ourselves we are no longer running the show, humbly saying to ourselves many times each day, "Thy will be done."

We may use prompts to remind us that we have decided to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God. When we pass through doorways we can say to ourselves "Thy will not mine be done." Perhaps we have a squeak in our car that we can use as a reminder. What ever we use, the idea is to direct our thinking toward God as often as possible.


Source:
The Annotated AA Handbook
Frank D.

[nandm]

3

We do not tires so easily, for we are not burning up energy foolishly as we did when trying to arrange life to suit ourselves.

We no longer squander our thoughts upon resentment, fear and worry. A God directed life is free of the frustration of not getting our way, free of the self-doubt of self-sufficiency, free of the results of our self-seeking decisions and actions. The tremendous relief we feel from being freed of the burden of self is wonderful.

5-6

We alcoholics are undisciplined. So we let God discipline us in the simple way we have just outlined.

DEFINITION:
Discipline: a path to developing certain skils. A body of theory and technique that must be studied and practiced to be mastered.

The authors are not referring to punishment when they use the term "discipline." A discipline is a body of theory and technique that must be studied and practiced if we are to master it and apply it to our lives. We adopt a new foundation for our lives. Trust and self-sufficiency from which we had constructed our failed lives. For the rest of our lives, we repeatedly practice successful methods of dealing with life on life's terms. We improve our skills for living and cut the chains that bind us to our past. Awakened spiritually and restored to sanity we begin our lives anew.

9

"Faith without works is dead."

Having discovered the greatest treasure in all the universe we cannot help but feel the need to share it with others. Knowing that the wonderful release we have found is available to all, we seek to be useful to others. True faith will show itself by the works we do and the works we do will broaden and deepen our faith. We must not only give it away to keep it, we must give it away to truly get it.


Source:
The Annotated AA Handbook
Frank D.