Step 2----thoughts/comments welcome
Life the gift of recovery!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Home is where the heart is
Posts: 7,061
Step 2----thoughts/comments welcome
Step Two
"Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity."
Having completed Step One, we're starting to feel a little more familiar with how the process of recovery works. But now that we're facing Step Tow, we've begun to have second thoughts about whether we're willing to proceed.
We're nervous about doing an in-depth analysis of our own mental health. And we're equally fearful and reluctant about relinquishing our own self-reliance to a power we may feel we don't have even a nodding acquaintance with.
This is where we have to experiment a little with faith in ourselves, and in the process. Because by the time we have successfully worked through Step Two, we'll likely have developed a deeper understanding of why self-will and self-determination---no matter how much we struggle to apply them---are simply not powerful enough to effect our recovery.
Also, by the end of Step Two it should be increasingly clear how our compulsion/addiction has compelled us to act in ways that are not indicative of a healthy mind.
"Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity."
Having completed Step One, we're starting to feel a little more familiar with how the process of recovery works. But now that we're facing Step Tow, we've begun to have second thoughts about whether we're willing to proceed.
We're nervous about doing an in-depth analysis of our own mental health. And we're equally fearful and reluctant about relinquishing our own self-reliance to a power we may feel we don't have even a nodding acquaintance with.
This is where we have to experiment a little with faith in ourselves, and in the process. Because by the time we have successfully worked through Step Two, we'll likely have developed a deeper understanding of why self-will and self-determination---no matter how much we struggle to apply them---are simply not powerful enough to effect our recovery.
Also, by the end of Step Two it should be increasingly clear how our compulsion/addiction has compelled us to act in ways that are not indicative of a healthy mind.
Life the gift of recovery!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Home is where the heart is
Posts: 7,061
I struggled with Step Two mainly with the Higher Power concept. I had become so estranged from any sort of organized religion that my concept of God was a man made, vindictive, judgemental, excuse to hate and judge others.
I had to start simple with my concept of a Higher Power. I understood that there was something more powerful than I in this world. My original concept was based on the fact that electricity/energy is present in everything in the world. Even our heart runs off an form of electrical energy when calcium and potassium ions interact. The concept I came up with was a universal energy. That helped me to get past the God concept.
Today my concept of a HP and organized religion has changed substantially. I am much more accepting toward others religion concepts and beliefs.
I also struggled with the insanity part. I did not want to believe that I was insane as it was one of my fears that since I could not controll alcohol that maybe I had a mental defect, that maybe I was crazy. I feared winding up locked up in a mental facility. I realize now that the insanity was the alcoholism. Although I do have some mental defects, which are helped with outside help, I am pretty much as sane as the next person.
I am grateful for the sanity that the program and the Steps have brought me.
I had to start simple with my concept of a Higher Power. I understood that there was something more powerful than I in this world. My original concept was based on the fact that electricity/energy is present in everything in the world. Even our heart runs off an form of electrical energy when calcium and potassium ions interact. The concept I came up with was a universal energy. That helped me to get past the God concept.
Today my concept of a HP and organized religion has changed substantially. I am much more accepting toward others religion concepts and beliefs.
I also struggled with the insanity part. I did not want to believe that I was insane as it was one of my fears that since I could not controll alcohol that maybe I had a mental defect, that maybe I was crazy. I feared winding up locked up in a mental facility. I realize now that the insanity was the alcoholism. Although I do have some mental defects, which are helped with outside help, I am pretty much as sane as the next person.
I am grateful for the sanity that the program and the Steps have brought me.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Boston MA
Posts: 190
Before asking me the step 2 question from the Big Book, my sponsor asked me what was the most insane thing you did due to your alcoholism.
I related various drunk stories and he kept saying no, thats not it.
The most insane thing I did was picking up the first drink...every time.
I related various drunk stories and he kept saying no, thats not it.
The most insane thing I did was picking up the first drink...every time.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: England
Posts: 89
I can relate totally to what you say, nandm.
For several years, I could get my head around step 1 without too much of a problem...all the evidence was there!
But the 'god' part threw me. For me, the key phrase is 'came to believe...'
I found the book of the same name really helpful too. x
For several years, I could get my head around step 1 without too much of a problem...all the evidence was there!
But the 'god' part threw me. For me, the key phrase is 'came to believe...'
I found the book of the same name really helpful too. x
Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: UK
Posts: 225
I increasingly see steps 1 - 2 - 3 were quick fire steps to the first AA members especially if they had hit a low enough bottom, and if they hadn't they are always there for redoing anyway - as I am having to do 
2 is something like "I do need help from where help is to be got"
3 is something like "I'm deciding to get that help"
4 will then be "I'm getting that help"
I read of men that were at Dr Bob's desk and the 12 steps were covered in a day or two.
2 is something like "I do need help from where help is to be got"
3 is something like "I'm deciding to get that help"
4 will then be "I'm getting that help"
I read of men that were at Dr Bob's desk and the 12 steps were covered in a day or two.
Last edited by Found; 11-14-2009 at 11:37 PM. Reason: settled on simpler phrase
Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: LA - Lower Alabama
Posts: 5,068
Yes, read "Dr Bob and the Good Oldtimers". You'll read that they went thru the steps in days, not weeks or months.
Dr. Bob actually made 9th step amends (before the step was actually written) on the day of his very last drink.
Dr. Bob actually made 9th step amends (before the step was actually written) on the day of his very last drink.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Pugetopolis
Posts: 2,384
Originally Posted by savoy 
Before asking me the step 2 question from the Big Book, my sponsor asked me what was the most insane thing you did due to your alcoholism.
I related various drunk stories and he kept saying no, thats not it.
The most insane thing I did was picking up the first drink...every time.
I related various drunk stories and he kept saying no, thats not it.
The most insane thing I did was picking up the first drink...every time.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: uk
Posts: 2,548
thats the deal right there...
stone cold sober......and with a untold examples of what happens when i drink.
i drink again.
reading about the jay walker youd think he belonged in a padded hospital room.....spot the difference.........there isnt one.
stone cold sober......and with a untold examples of what happens when i drink.
i drink again.
reading about the jay walker youd think he belonged in a padded hospital room.....spot the difference.........there isnt one.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 128
Originally Posted by jimhere
"Yeah, that's pretty crazy stuff, but I bet you haven't done any of that since you're sober. Could it be that the most insane thing you've ever done, you've done stone cold sober? And that's pick up a drink having full knowledge of what happens when I pick up a drink?"
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