The 12 steps are a treasure trove of reflection, prayer, imagery, and mindfulness. Every day, the Recovery community encourages us to focus on a step we make our own to consider. Using a 365-day Recovery companion or attending a support group are other ways to immerse ourselves in the rich benefits of healing.
Brenda (fictional name) praises the benefits of putting effort into the 12 steps. She says, “The steps were given to us to manage our mental health and substance misuse conditions and find some peace.” She takes 15 minutes each morning to delight in the steps of Recovery. Do we see the steps as a source of peace in our world? Do we see the steps as a source of peace in our hearts and souls? Do we respond to the steps with praise and thanksgiving when we heal?
Brenda’s approach to Recovery invites reflection on how she views the Recovery steps. Do we approach Recovery as burdensome? This is a common misconception of healing. From the outside Recovery can seem like a list of rules and regulations that only serve to limit authentic human freedom and flourishing.
Within the wide space of Recovery’s steps, Brenda discovered her true freedom to choose to heal and experience true dignity and worth as a daughter of Recovery. To live by the steps is to be truly free to give ourselves to healing. This is the source of peace in our daily lives and those we interact with.
Brenda stays close to Recovery’s word daily reminding us to live by the 12-steps. Recovery’s ways open up a new life marked by joy and peace and for the gift of Recovery. We join in prayer, reflection, imagery, or mindfulness giving us the strength to take action.
Recovery Peer Support
12 Steps to Health
Hope ≈ Healing ≈ Health
- We dedicate ourselves to Recovery; our lives have purpose and meaning.
- We believe a Power greater than ourselves is the path to hope, healing, and health.
- We contemplate daily, how faith in our Higher Power and Recovery Community can bring us peace.
- We 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, ourselves, and 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 recognize our shortcomings in 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 seeking 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/