Hi Everyone!
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Lake Worth, FL
Posts: 4
Hi Everyone!
I am NOT new to recovery, but I AM new to this forum. My sobriety date is 9-13-89. I am here to offer my experience, strength and hope to all here that suffer from addiction to drugs or alcohol. My personal belief is that alcohol IS a drug, but I do not get caught up in the politics of NA or AA.
What I have found in my journey is that the reason AA works is because of the 12-Steps, but more importantly, the 12-Spiritual Principals behind each step. I can only speak from my experience, and this is the way that I see it. Somewhere along my lifepath I discovered alcohol and drugs to be a tremendous pain reliever. I gave all my fears, anxieties to drugs and alcohol. It worked wonderfully for many, many years. Along that path I grew devoid of those spiritual principals behind the steps. The 12-Steps are merely excercises to implore me to once again live my life by those Spiritual Principals, got it? It took me many years in AA to figure this out. Here are the 12-Spiritual Principals behind the 12-Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous:
1. HONESTY- fairness and straightforwardness of conduct; adherence to the facts. Self-Honesty
2. HOPE- to expect with desire; something on which our hopes are centered.
3. FAITH-complete confidence; belief and trust.
4. COURAGE- firmness of mind and will in the face of extreme difficulty; mental or moral strength to withstand fear.
5. INTEGRITY- the quality or state of being complete or undivided; soundness.
6. WILLINGNESS- prompt to act or respond; accepted and done of choice or without reluctance.
7. HUMILITY - not proud or haughty; not arrogant or assertive; a clear concise understanding of what we are, followed by a sincere desire to become what we can be.
8. LOVE- unselfish concern that freely accepts another in loyalty and seeks his good; to hold dear.
9. DISCIPLINE- training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character; to bring under control; to train or develop by instruction.
10. PATIENCE/PERSEVERANCE-steadfast despite opposition, difficulty or adversity, willing to bear, to persist in an understaking in spite of other influences.
11. AWARENESS- alive and alert; vigilance in observing.
12. SERVICE- a helpful act; contribution to the welfare of others; useful labor that does not provide a tangible commodity.
Live your life by these principals...as best as you can, and you will find that your life will improve dramatically. These are the principals I became devoid of and once I started to practice the steps, I learned how to live my life, afterall, drugs & alcohol abuse are merely symptoms of a disease of our souls.
Dc
What I have found in my journey is that the reason AA works is because of the 12-Steps, but more importantly, the 12-Spiritual Principals behind each step. I can only speak from my experience, and this is the way that I see it. Somewhere along my lifepath I discovered alcohol and drugs to be a tremendous pain reliever. I gave all my fears, anxieties to drugs and alcohol. It worked wonderfully for many, many years. Along that path I grew devoid of those spiritual principals behind the steps. The 12-Steps are merely excercises to implore me to once again live my life by those Spiritual Principals, got it? It took me many years in AA to figure this out. Here are the 12-Spiritual Principals behind the 12-Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous:
1. HONESTY- fairness and straightforwardness of conduct; adherence to the facts. Self-Honesty
2. HOPE- to expect with desire; something on which our hopes are centered.
3. FAITH-complete confidence; belief and trust.
4. COURAGE- firmness of mind and will in the face of extreme difficulty; mental or moral strength to withstand fear.
5. INTEGRITY- the quality or state of being complete or undivided; soundness.
6. WILLINGNESS- prompt to act or respond; accepted and done of choice or without reluctance.
7. HUMILITY - not proud or haughty; not arrogant or assertive; a clear concise understanding of what we are, followed by a sincere desire to become what we can be.
8. LOVE- unselfish concern that freely accepts another in loyalty and seeks his good; to hold dear.
9. DISCIPLINE- training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character; to bring under control; to train or develop by instruction.
10. PATIENCE/PERSEVERANCE-steadfast despite opposition, difficulty or adversity, willing to bear, to persist in an understaking in spite of other influences.
11. AWARENESS- alive and alert; vigilance in observing.
12. SERVICE- a helpful act; contribution to the welfare of others; useful labor that does not provide a tangible commodity.
Live your life by these principals...as best as you can, and you will find that your life will improve dramatically. These are the principals I became devoid of and once I started to practice the steps, I learned how to live my life, afterall, drugs & alcohol abuse are merely symptoms of a disease of our souls.
Dc
Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: 49 degrees north
Posts: 1,036
Welcome!
I appreciate that someone with wisdom and longevity is willing to become part of this community. True service to others. I look forward to your sharing here. I hope you will provide support to the many who need it!
warren
I appreciate that someone with wisdom and longevity is willing to become part of this community. True service to others. I look forward to your sharing here. I hope you will provide support to the many who need it!
warren
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Lake Worth, FL
Posts: 4
Thanks to both of you that have welcomed me to the forum, I look forward to using my experience, hope and strength to help others. Afterall, that is our primary purpose.
There are many wonderful posters on this site. Many with true wisdom from recovery (as I have lurked for some time), and many here seeking what some of us have already received, and worked hard to get...I look forward to posting here...
Lifetime
There are many wonderful posters on this site. Many with true wisdom from recovery (as I have lurked for some time), and many here seeking what some of us have already received, and worked hard to get...I look forward to posting here...
Lifetime
CindeRella is proof that a new pair of shoes can change your life!
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Spreading my wings
Posts: 7,163
Welcome to SR Lifetime! Glad that you found us! 
Awesome recovery time! Way to go!
Sharing your ESH here is will be greatly appreciated! Please check out our other Forums!
Awesome recovery time! Way to go! Sharing your ESH here is will be greatly appreciated! Please check out our other Forums!
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Lake Worth, FL
Posts: 4
Not quite, but almost. My sobriety date is 9-13-89
I have worked hard on my recovery, and my path has been long and winding. It has taken me to many places, both good and bad. I have dealt with many family issues, as well as issues of the heart. I have been married to the same woman for 30 years, have 3 grown children which 2 are in sobriety. My oldest has 5 years and my youngest is picking up her 4 year chip this Saturday. She is only 19. My wife is also in recovery, so there is a meeting when any of us get together, LOL!
I value AA and especially the 12-Spiritual Principals. They have taught me how to live my life, free of addiction and free of fear. I pray for the newcomer, and always offer myself and my experience, hope and strength to them, why not do the same here? It is a forum that can reach thousands, how great is that??!!
Thank you to everyone that has welcomed me, this will just become another family for me...
Lifetime
I have worked hard on my recovery, and my path has been long and winding. It has taken me to many places, both good and bad. I have dealt with many family issues, as well as issues of the heart. I have been married to the same woman for 30 years, have 3 grown children which 2 are in sobriety. My oldest has 5 years and my youngest is picking up her 4 year chip this Saturday. She is only 19. My wife is also in recovery, so there is a meeting when any of us get together, LOL!
I value AA and especially the 12-Spiritual Principals. They have taught me how to live my life, free of addiction and free of fear. I pray for the newcomer, and always offer myself and my experience, hope and strength to them, why not do the same here? It is a forum that can reach thousands, how great is that??!!
Thank you to everyone that has welcomed me, this will just become another family for me...
Lifetime
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