Step 12b Practice These Principles
(Pg.60,Top¶,L1), “Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps,” my Personality Changes my life. “My friend had emphasized the absolute necessity of demonstrating these principles in all my affairs” (Pg.14,¶6). I express gratitude for everything ‘I get to do,’ so others will see my humility as imitable. “The most satisfactory years of my existence lie ahead” (Pg.152,¶2,L20). Following God’s Guidance speaks for itself because I'm Happy, Joyous & Free.
A spiritually awakened life is an individual affair, and our book offers too many insights to list, but here’s some favourites. These paraphrases might be entire paragraphs, please refer to the (Citation), for extra context.
- (Working with Others), Before I go anywhere, do I make, “sure I’m on solid spiritual ground and that my motives are thoroughly good. Not thinking of what I will get out of the occasion, but what I can bring to it?” (Pg.102,Top¶).
- a) Do I realize “my job now is to be at the place where I may be of maximum helpfulness to others, that I shouldn’t hesitate to go anywhere if I can be helpful, even the most sordid, (morally sick), spot on earth on such an errand?” b) Can I, “Keep on the firing line of life with helpful motives, knowing God will keep me unharmed?” (Pg.102,¶2).
- Am I, “careful never to show intolerance or hatred of recreational drinking/using because my experience proves that attitude is not helpful to anyone?” (Pg.103,¶1).
- (To Wives), Am I, “trying to live on a spiritual basis, and doing everything in my power to avoid disagreement or contention, knowing I owe my partner more than sobriety?” (Pg.118,¶1),
- Will I invite my partner to, “join in my enthusiasm for alcoholic work, by getting involved with Alanon, or local recovery community, because they need the counsel and love of someone who has gone through what you have?” (Pg.119,¶1,L20).
- (The Family Afterward), Do I believe, “that in God’s hands, my dark past is the greatest possession I have, the key to life and happiness for others. With it I can avert death and misery for them?" (Pg.124,¶2,L19).
- Do I believe, “family talks will be constructive if without heated argument, self-pity, self-justification or resentful criticism, that they will ask less, if I give more, so giving, rather than getting, will become the guiding principle?” (Pg.127,Bottom¶,-128,Top¶).
- a) Have I, “come to believe God would like me to keep my head in the clouds with Him, but my feet ought to be firmly planted on earth with my fellow travellers, because that’s where my work can be done?” b) Have I, “found nothing incompatible between a powerful spiritual experience and a life of sane and happy usefulness?” (Pg.130,¶1,L10-17).
- 9. a) Do I believe, “we aren’t a glum lot, that newcomers must see joy and fun in our existence, or they wouldn’t want it?” b) Will I, “absolutely insist on enjoying life?” (Pg.132,¶1,L14).
- (To Employers), a) Do I resist, “lecturing, moralizing or condemning others by offering to explain the illness of alcoholism/addiction, how most alcoholics/addicts are gravely or fatally ill?” b) Do I ask, “if they want to quit, take the necessary steps, and submit to anything to get well, to stoping drinking/using forever?”
(Pg.142,¶1),
- Will I recommend, “the subject matter of this book and its full suggestions by which anyone may
solve their problem. Confessing it’s not the last word on alcoholism/addiction, but so far as I’m concerned, it has worked with me?” b) Do I realize, “we’re looking for results not methods so whether they like it or not, they will learn the grim truth about alcoholism/addiction?” (Pg.143,Bottom¶,-Pg.144).
- (A Vision for You), a) Have I found, “a substitute for drinking/drugging in a 12 step fellowship where there’s release from care, boredom and worry, is my imagination fired?” b) Do I think, “The most satisfactory years of my existence lie ahead?” (Pg.152,¶2),
Great events flow from working all 12 steps, I’ve “...tapped a source of power much greater than myself” (Pg.163,¶1).I keep my Mind, Body & Spirit balanced by staying centred in our three legacies of Recovery, Unity & Service. This circle-triangle symbol represents my serene wholesome Spirit with unlimited potential. “God will constantly disclose more to me and others” (Pg.164,¶2,L11). Keeping in right relation to God is how I become useful, Happy, Joyous & Free!
Step 12b Practice These Principles