Earlier today I had the opportunity to spend time with Lacie Weatherholt, Community Engagement Coordinator from At The Roots LLC. At The Roots, LLC is a space for people to find non-clinical mental health and substance use recovery support that is non-judgemental, outside the box, and provided by those with lived experience in the areas where they provide services. https:/attheroots.com They match people with lived experience, mental health and substance misuse to people open to a peer mentor (see photo below).
We have learned throughout my daily blog the 12-steps of Recovery. Each time we recite these familiar steps we are given another opportunity to reflect on their meaning. The 12-steps summarize Recovery and are a unique reflection of the heart. In the 12-steps, we glimpse how persons in Recovery practice the steps.
When I facilitate groups, people share with us in their own words how they practice the steps in all of their affairs. We have witnessed our peers embrace deeply the steps before an important moment and in solitude away from crowds. In those moments of reflection, we are united to our Higher Power in a unique way.
We have been given the 12 steps, these words come from the deep wellspring of Recovery. As we reflect on the 12 steps today let’s take a moment in a spirit of reflection on the meaning of the words we say. We have not been given the formula to repeat mechanically without experiencing a deeper trust in the 12 steps. The steps reveal something of the inner life as we reflect on our Recovery. By allowing us to share in relationship to the 12 steps we experience the same transforming love we receive from a spouse, family, and friend.
Take 5 minutes today to reflect meditatively on the 12 steps. Allow them to change our lives.
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 become 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
SuperHuman Being
Peace
Larry
email: ljw@superhumanbeing.net
website: https://superhumanbeing.net/
