Recovery is full of instructions for our lives. I have days when it is easy to incorporate the 12 steps into my life. There are other days when self-doubt and not being worthy incapacitate my being. When this occurs I become afraid I may be heading toward a deep depression.
I am learning on a down day it is only temporary. In these moments I remind myself that Recovery is full of love and compassion if I embrace the steps and remember they are always near. The words of Recovery reveal that my worth is not at all dependent on my goodness.
When I am stretching myself to achieve Recovery, I find rest for my soul. I don’t need to do more charitable work thinking that I will be loved more when I do.
There are days when the words of Recovery are easy to absorb. On other days they bounce off my psyche. As I reflect on the 12 steps I find that my heart is strengthened and inspired to keep practicing the 12 steps-“yes even when I don’t feel like it”.
12 Steps to Health
Hope ≈ Healing ≈ Health
- We dedicate ourselves to a lifestyle of Recovery; our lives have purpose and meaning.
- We believe a Power greater than ourselves is the path to hope, healing, and health.
- We choose to contemplate daily, how faith in our Higher Power and Recovery Community can bring us peace.
- We choose to educate ourselves and find the courage to strive for the highest level of health and well-being.
- We communicate our Plan of Recovery with our Higher Power, with ourselves, and with another human being.
- We allow our Higher Power to be the lighthouse in our lives.
- We humbly ask our Higher Power to reveal his unconditional love and ongoing presence within us.
- We acknowledge our behaviors have impacted our relationships. We list those affected by our behavior and whenever possible became willing to reconcile or thank them for their support during a relapse or mental health crisis.
- We seek mutual reconciliation for a harmful action we committed and seek forgiveness from those we harmed or were impacted by our behavior. Then, let go of our shame because it no longer serves a purpose in our lives, we understand we were designed because we are loved and to be in relationships with other people.
- We continually review our Plan of Recovery with our Higher Power, support team, and those we trust.
- We come to recognize our shortcomings during recovery, while discovering our Higher Power is the source of our strength and mercy, we learn to rely on our Higher Power for the courage to heal through prayer, reflection, mindfulness, and when necessary seek professional support.
- We gain insight into our recovery through our Higher Power as we model these steps, and share our journey toward hope, healing, and health with people.
Adapted From 12 Steps of Alcoholic/Depressed Anonymous by Larry Winter and Collene Spaeth
Revised: 6/5/20
Peace
Larry
email: ljw@superhumanbeing.net
website: https://superhumanbeing.net