aa friends Community Group
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We admitted we were powerless over alcohol-that our lives had become unmanageable.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 21
It is no coincidence that the very first Step mentions powerlessness: An admission of personal powerlessness over alcohol is a cornerstone of the foundation of recovery. I've learned that I do not have the power and control I once thought I had. I am powerless over what people think about me. I am powerless over having just missed the bus. I am powerless over how other people work (or don't work) the Steps. But I've also learned I am not powerless over some things. I am not powerless over my attitudes. I am not powerless over negativity. I am not powerless over assuming responsibility for my own recovery. I have the power to exert a positive influence on myself, my loved ones, and the world in which I live.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 21
It is no coincidence that the very first Step mentions powerlessness: An admission of personal powerlessness over alcohol is a cornerstone of the foundation of recovery. I've learned that I do not have the power and control I once thought I had. I am powerless over what people think about me. I am powerless over having just missed the bus. I am powerless over how other people work (or don't work) the Steps. But I've also learned I am not powerless over some things. I am not powerless over my attitudes. I am not powerless over negativity. I am not powerless over assuming responsibility for my own recovery. I have the power to exert a positive influence on myself, my loved ones, and the world in which I live.
Powerlessness....lack of power was my dilemma when I sobered up. Still work on powerlessness concerning my physical limitations. I have a 19 yr old brain in a 56 yr old body and still engage at times in making plans (to include plowing the north forty!). After 6 yrs of working on this issue, I'm much more amenable today to the idea that I'm powerless over what I can't do. It just seems to work out better when I stick to my capabilities. Now THAT I can do, LOL!
I'm a supporter (not her sponsor) of a woman in my groups right now who was chronically relapsing for months but then about three months ago seemed to click and has been sober ever since. But I suspect she has relapsed this week and I really feel she hasn't nailed the first step. I think, through talking to her, that she feels the power to make her feel better is in the bottle. And she's a nun mind you - a wonderful woman - but alcoholism doesn't discimininate. I've talked to her about all this and the critical nature of the first step but I can't force her to do it.
Now I have to look at my MY powerlessness in this situation and it's about her drinking or not. All I can do is pass the message, I cannot hold the drink from her lips.
I know it sounds ridiculous but I actually said I was powerless over jellybeans to myself the other day. It would be seriously ridiculous except I actually had an active eating disorder for 15+ years and have been totally powerless over food in the past.
I've been powerless over friends, loved ones, things, food, etc. etc. and the steps, particuarly the first three, have helped me just let go and accept how powerless I am. And be A OK with that.