aa Spoken Here Community Group
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I sometimes use this with my sponsees to give them some idea of the structure of the steps. Hope it is of help to some here. Any questions welcome!!
Step1 - The Problem - Powerlessness.
No problem can be solved until we know what the problem is. This is the first step in recovery. Our first goal is to find the exact nature of our problem. Our solution and recovery can be no better than our knowledge of the problem.
"We admitted we were powerless - that our lives had become unmanageable"
Step2 - The Solution - Power.
The second goal of the recovery programme is the solution. Now that we have found out where we are, we can establish where we need to go. If our problem is powerlessness our solution is to find Power.
"Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity"
Steps3 - 9 - The Programme of Action
These give us a step by step plan or how to get from where we are (Step1 -Powerless) to where we need to be (Step2 - Power).
Step10,11,12 - Growth
Once we have reached our solution of Power we need to ensure that we keep it. Steps 10, 11 and 12 give us instruction on how develop our contact with the Power we have found.
I use an example to show my sponsees why we need to work all of the steps.
Steps 1 is information we need to know it but it doesnt change anything.
Imagine I am driving to a meeting. I see a light flashing in my car. After some investigation I find out it is the fuel light. I have found out the exact nature of my problem - my car will soon have no Power. Happy that I now understand the problem I carry on driving. I run out of fuel.
Steps 2 is information we need to know it but it doesnt change anything.
Imagine as before that my car is about to run out of fuel. I have the smart idea that the solution to my problem is to stop and fill it up with fuel. Now I am very happy. I know both the problem and the solution. I carry on driving - guess what, my car runs out of fuel. I still have no Power.
Steps 3-9 we need to DO it, it changes everything.
This time I see the light flashing, realise my car is about to run out of fuel, decide to stop to fill it up (Step3) and actually stop to do so (Step4-9). At last I have taken some action. My car now has a new source of Power and I drive to the meeting.
Step10,11 and 12 we need to keep DOING it, it keeps everything changed.
If i think that filling up my car with fuel just the once will keep me going for ever I am mistaken. I need to ensure that my car always has enough fuel, otherwise I will soon be at a stop at the side of the road with no Power again. I must do what I need to do each day to ensure that I have enough Power to take me where I want to go.
As I say any comments and questions welcome.
Step1 - The Problem - Powerlessness.
No problem can be solved until we know what the problem is. This is the first step in recovery. Our first goal is to find the exact nature of our problem. Our solution and recovery can be no better than our knowledge of the problem.
"We admitted we were powerless - that our lives had become unmanageable"
Step2 - The Solution - Power.
The second goal of the recovery programme is the solution. Now that we have found out where we are, we can establish where we need to go. If our problem is powerlessness our solution is to find Power.
"Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity"
Steps3 - 9 - The Programme of Action
These give us a step by step plan or how to get from where we are (Step1 -Powerless) to where we need to be (Step2 - Power).
Step10,11,12 - Growth
Once we have reached our solution of Power we need to ensure that we keep it. Steps 10, 11 and 12 give us instruction on how develop our contact with the Power we have found.
I use an example to show my sponsees why we need to work all of the steps.
Steps 1 is information we need to know it but it doesnt change anything.
Imagine I am driving to a meeting. I see a light flashing in my car. After some investigation I find out it is the fuel light. I have found out the exact nature of my problem - my car will soon have no Power. Happy that I now understand the problem I carry on driving. I run out of fuel.
Steps 2 is information we need to know it but it doesnt change anything.
Imagine as before that my car is about to run out of fuel. I have the smart idea that the solution to my problem is to stop and fill it up with fuel. Now I am very happy. I know both the problem and the solution. I carry on driving - guess what, my car runs out of fuel. I still have no Power.
Steps 3-9 we need to DO it, it changes everything.
This time I see the light flashing, realise my car is about to run out of fuel, decide to stop to fill it up (Step3) and actually stop to do so (Step4-9). At last I have taken some action. My car now has a new source of Power and I drive to the meeting.
Step10,11 and 12 we need to keep DOING it, it keeps everything changed.
If i think that filling up my car with fuel just the once will keep me going for ever I am mistaken. I need to ensure that my car always has enough fuel, otherwise I will soon be at a stop at the side of the road with no Power again. I must do what I need to do each day to ensure that I have enough Power to take me where I want to go.
As I say any comments and questions welcome.
I can stay sober a day at a time, and I can love and serve a day at a time.