Recovery has a plan for each one of us. For many of us, it is not a recipe to follow or a step-by-step process, but it is unique and nonlinear. Recovery is unfolding and may be messy at times. The 12-steps lift the burdens that come with our shortcomings, guilt, shame, anxiety, addiction, and others. With God (Higher Power) at our side, we will transform ourselves into instruments of grace and peace.
When I meditate on the 12-steps I am struck by how personal each one is. What I mean is they do not say, “Come follow this great idea, agenda, or movement”. No, the 12-steps say, “Come to me”. Only God can make this divine offer, that invitation.
When we embrace recovery we come to him as recoverees or people who support recoverees realizing he is with us every step of the way. Place our feet on solid ground accept the gift of healing and draw close to God (Higher Power). He calls each of us by our name and reveals the depths of his love for each one of us. This self-giving love is the path to genuine happiness and deep lasting joy.
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/
