We have a saying in our fellowship that you'll hear if you stick around for anytime at all. It says that, yes, the twelve steps are a "suggested" program of recovery. Like its "suggested" you wear a parachute when jumping out of a plane. Both endeavors, skydiving and sobriety, are exciting. Both are thrilling, fun and scary all at the same time. But deadly if the "suggestions" are unheeded.

Even when following the suggestions, there will be problems. There will be pain and heartache. But almost invariably, we will live to see another day.

Suggested: strap into this thing like your life depends on it. Because it does!