Thoughts for Recovery – No. 75 – Recovery from Alcoholism – Part 2

You may find the chart recovery from alcoholism in links and documents to follow.

In part one I looked at the world of my alcoholism and how living in that world did not work. It brought me to my knees. I was completely defeated. I had hit bottom and I was brought to a place where I was willing to go to any length to change.

This brought me to the realization that I had to look outside of myself for direction. My way could never work. This made me willing to move out of the world I created into a different world where I was not in charge.

Step one for me is summarized in one word- powerless. I had no power over alcohol and no power to manage my life successfully. Thus I became willing to change.  My willingness to change led to belief that God could relieve my powerlessness and give me a power to live. I believed because I saw  it worked in others.

Page 47 asked me do I now believe or am I willing to believe that there is a power greater than myself? I answered yes and the book says that I am on the way . This is the cornerstone upon which a wonderfully effective spiritual structure is being built.

If you look at the chart you will see that by taking steps 1 and 2 I have begun to move outside of this world I created. Moving toward the real world where God is the center. I am building an arch to freedom that will take me to the world of the spirit.

Step 3 is where I make the decision to stop playing God. Why? Because it will never work! I have a new Director, Father , Employer and if I stay close to him and do his work well He will provide everything I need. This decision is really about me deciding to step out of my world! There is warning! If I don’t follow the action of steps 1-3 with the actions of 4-9. I will slip back into my world . Nothing will change.

This is why the big book says the decision in step 3 is vital and crucial but will have no permanent effect  unless at once followed by a strenuous effort to face, and to be rid of the things in ourselves which had been blocking us. Notice at once. Was does that mean? It means if you do not start your personal housecleaning immediately you will be living sober without God and nothing will change. How long can you live in your self centered world and not drink?

This reminds me of something I heard early on at a meeting. The AA waltz is steps 1,2,3, drink.

Step 3 is the keystone of the arch to freedom. So steps 1-3 give the foundation, cornerstone, and keystone of the arch but it needs the action of steps 4-9 to complete the arch. Only by passing through the arch to freedom can I enter the world of the spirit. No spiritual structure to pass through then no freedom from the bondage of self.

The next part will focus on how steps 4-9 move us into the world of the spirit. Welcome any comments mhurwitz50@gmail.com…