jdcsawd

3rd step - Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him

Astro

It means I quit trying to run the show, it means I let go and let God, it means I enjoy the ride while He drives, it means I follow His will, and not mine.

But let me clarify. I still have to do the footwork. I don't just sit back and assume that the God of my understanding will take care of everything while I stand around and watch.

LogCabin

For me it means I had to stop future tripping, and not worry about what is ahead. I just have to move forward, and accept what comes my way.

This does not mean I don't have to be responsible, But it means I can't control EVERYTHING.

I can't control how people are going to treat me, or what kind of day I am going to have. I just accept that I will move forward and through the day, and when anything unexpected happens...I just roll with it. I try to not make myself too depressed or too happy based on what happens. I accept all that comes my way.

My Higher power is the Universe. It is something that is bigger than me, and It is something I can't control. And "time" is movement forward in our universe. I just have to accept time and movement forward no matter what.

parentrecovers

welcome, jd

i like the part about "made a decision". when i make a good decision, an important decision - that affects my recovery in a positive way - a lot of weight comes off my shoulders. so for me, that's a real valuable and rewarding part of step 3.

hugs, k

NoelleR

Yup; that 'making a decision' is the whole ball o wax for me. To me, this step means exactly what it says; no more, no less. So, even though, even the founders 'worked' this step by praying to/and turning their will over to the care of God as they understood him, they didn't write the step that way.....so, I work it as it's written.....I made a decision to turn my will 'n my life over.....and then went directly to work on my fourth step --- pretty simple, and even easy too, really...... (o:


NoelleR

Mattcake

This step seems to hold a different meaning each time I think about it. I do not attend AA meetings, but I've applied it to my life because I really appreciate the wisdom it holds in its different connotations. It always seems to boil down to two ideas:

Surrender: To me this is *not* the same as "giving up", but more about accepting the mess I've created by drinking, and handing it over to an HP.

Leap of faith: the scary bit. Having surveyed the damage, and after acknowledging a power vastly greater than my own, it's time to jump. Where? Well, I don't know. I guess that's the beauty of it. But wherever I wind up, I need to trust that I'll land on my feet. And that's not up to me.

So it's tough to put this into words.. I feel that it's an ongoing process, not an event. I surrendered gladly, and managed to overcome most of my fear of leaping. But I need to nudge myself every now and then, it does feel like a free fall after all, and the only comfort is knowing, deep down, that there IS a safety net.

David 1

All of the above, plus the word "will" is an important piece for me. I understand that I do not have the will to be able to quit on my own - I have to enlist an HP of some kind, be it your god or whatever works for you.

But that is the support that I needed to be successful in my recovery.

Dave

Aysha

I struggles with this for a very long time. Because I still am not convinced of the whole letting go and let God thing. But to me as of right now.
It means I need to stop thinking and just let it go to a power greater than myself. For me Karma..Life..On lifes terms. Not my terms.

Rusty Zipper

letting go of old thoughs, and ideas.

and stick'n to that decission...

to put it simply

Dean62

It means I have made a decision to accept a new way of life. One that is far better then any I have known before. The will of God as I understand her is love. It means when I find myself feeling Irritable and discontent, miserable, anxious, hurt, frustrated, afraid, angry or judgmental to name a few examples, I know I'm not sticking to my decision. Instead I'm doing things the old way, my way. Turning my will and life over to God as I understand her allows me to accept life on life's terms.