Hi my name's George and I'm an alcoholic, When I was using, my spirituality was nonexistent. After coming to Alcoholics Anonymous I was introduced to the Steps. In short, the first three, which involve no physical action on my part, tell me that I can't, He can and I need to let Him. That's a great start but for this alky, I need to practice these principles ( all twelve of them ) in all my affairs. By trying to do that, the promises have happened, some to a greater degree than others. The one thing that helps me to move toward the Promises is spiritual living. What helps me the most with my spiritual conditioning is the Eleventh Step. Our topic for the week is Step Eleven which states:" Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out". When I take time for prayer and meditation, it's no coincidence that I receive a higher level of serenity. I can choose to pray anytime throughout the day. When fears slip in and my serenity leaves me I need to work on my conscious contact with God. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to lead this week's meeting. Love to all.
My name is Claire and I am an alcoholic. Step 11 has been very important to me throughout my recovery. My faith cannot growth without continuously renewing and strengthening my relationship with my higher power. I need faith because experience has tought me my best thinking will lead me astray - I need the voice within me that knows love to balance against by logical thoughts.
My name is Judi and I am an alcoholic. I have tried to pray only for God's will for me throughout my years of sobriety. Now I find myself faced with a terminal illness and I want to pray for my life. It is very hard to let go and trust God to choose my future. I am advised by wellness support groups to pray avidly for my long life. It is a real dilemma - which I try everyday to turn over to God.
Judi, My name is Scott and I will be praying with and for U
Hi. My name is Raincloud and I'm an alcoholic and this is my first post here. Recently I was having trouble with meditation. If I could manage to quiet my mind enough to meditate, I found all kinds of emotions coming up and overwhelming me. I told a spiritual friend of mine about it. He said I was in too bad of a place to do passive meditation and that I should try an active meditation. He suggested this candle exercise from yoga for turning the mind inward and developing concentration:
Place a lighted candle approximately 3 feet from you. Sit in a cross-legged posture (or whatever is comfortable for you). Gaze directly at the flame for approximately 2 minutes.
Close your eyes and gently press your palms against them. You will see the image of the flame; concentrate on that image and do not let the flame wander or disappear. Hold palms against eyes for 1 to 2 minutes.
Place your hands on your knees and relax. This exercise in performed only once.
This has been extremely helpful to me. Hope it helps someone else.
The part of step 11 that is taking my greatest faith and effort right now comes right at the end of the step, "praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out." I am working to let go of a long-standing relationship that I know is not in God's will for me. Prayer, meditation and the wisdom God sends me through my sponsor and the rest of the fellowship all say the same thing-this relationship is not God's will; my holding onto it is my own will. So now I pray day and night for "the power to carry that out." Please pray with me. I am grateful you are here, that God has brought us together through His strength and His love.
Hi my name's Clive and I'm an alcholic and an addict. Over the years I can not tell you how many different different ways of prayer and meditation I have tried, I guess maily because for a lot of my time in recovery i've felt that despite remaining clean and sober now for over seven and half years that somehow my relationship with my higher power was somehow not as good as the one other people had. I do know that prayer has helped me face people and do things that I couldn't do before, I also know that sometimes I pray with no immediate result. what this has lead me to believe is that God really doesn't care how I pray or meditate, how I think of God or even if I doubt God, the only thing God expects of me in my relationship with him as with any other relationships is that I'm honest. My best prayers have pretty much almost been when I'm furious at my inability to fix either something in myself or in the world and it comes out as angrily as "Look God, I can't deal with this F$$king mess you da%n well deal with it" usually he does.
I sure haven't turned into any kind of a spiritual giant and know longer believe that God will punish me with insanity and death if I don't become one.
Thanks for this opportunity to share about this, because I still find my relationship with God very embarassing to share about.
Step 11 is one of the most important tools in my "kit of spiritual tools laid at my feet". For a small example, When packing to fly out here about a week before leaving, I found myself unpacking and repacking a few times. I realized by listening to someone else share at a meeting, that I had never asked God to help me pack. Now maybe that sounds weird to you but once I did, I only had to pack my bags once.
I HAD to learn that God actually WANTS me to ask Him for help in my daily coming in and my going out.
In the book, 'The 12 steps & 12 traditions' it says, "There is a direct linkage among self-examination, meditation and prayer. Taken separately, these practices can bring much releif and benefit. But when they are logically related and interwoven, the result is an unshakable foundation for life". That's what I want...AN UNSHAKABLE FOUNDATION FOR LIFE!!!
Thanks George
And Thanks for this format
Thanks, Clive -- my sentiments exactly!
I've been in the Program twenty years longer than you, and I believe HP never judges -- only loves. That gives me quite a responsibility to do my part: to communicate by talking and listening, discovering what God's Will is for me -- my spiritual purpose. (My husband used to say "do the next right thing.")
When I go off the track, HP is patient. When I honestly (that word again!) ask for help, I often get it INSTANTLY (which can be pretty eerie!)
Judi -- I have a friend with your experience. In the past 18 months, she has absolutely lost her fear, and is no longer ill. Would that be an appropriate thing to pray for? Faith without fear one day at a time?
Rich -- are you in Washington for good?
Bless you all -- when I moved from the Poconos, where this online meeting started, I promised I'd start another 11th Step meeting like my home group there. I urge you all to start one in your area. A speaker each week focusing primarily on the 11th step -- never gets boring, I can tell you!
hi. i am shelley. i am an alcoholic. i have said this ove and over but not sure yet that i TRULY admit mind body and soul. think about a drink EVERYDAY. look at the clock and wait till after 12 pm to have a drink. feel strange (for whatever reason) drinking before then. i try to rationalize that only "alcoholics" drink in the morning. how do yo get thru the day and NOT drink? it seems as thou it is ALWAYS on my mind! i am a very rational and "in control" type of person, but cannot seem to control the urge to drink. i NEVER drink to get drunk, but like to drink to relax. HELP!
Hi all, my name is Rocky R. from Sacramento, been clean and sober since Feb 16, 1994. Thank my higher power for helping me "get a life". Through service in A.A. I was able to stay sober which lead to sanity in turn even some serenity. What a concept! God has done for me what I could not do for myself. This www is another way of keeping in touch with friends of Bill W. Thanks Bill W. for holding that first meeting! Rocky R keeping in contact with the fellowship
I use to pray to God to fix whatever probem I was having Today I ask him for the strength to work thru them.when I do this I find things to go better for me.Acceptance is the key for me when dealing with lifes problems.My sponsor has had me read pg. 449 many a times.In the morning I ask God to help me get thru the day w/o a drink & I thank him at night.
Hi, Shelley. Try an open AA meeting or go to an addictions counselor and ask some questions. It's always easier when you talk to someone else and get more information. Then you can make up your own mind what you want to do.
Just don't stay in your own head all alone -- that's the hardest thing to do -- whether it has to do with alcohol or any other big decision!
Hello everyone!! My name is Jessica and I am an alcoholic from Atlanta, GA. Shelly-trying to talk to some recovering alcoholics in your own area is a place to start. It is hard to say what an alcoholic is before having all the facts. Give yourself the opportunity to have what we all have found and check out what it is that we are all talking about. If allowed myself to judge whether or not I was an alcoholic based on my first ideas of what an alcoholic is I would be alone and drunk, and now I am sober and very much a part of life.
Thank you for the topic George. I love the 11th step. The thing that I am most grateful for in the program is that there are no requirements as to choosing your conception of God. And there are no requirement on how to pray or how to meditate. Everyone is here to share there experience strength and hope on God and sometimes I hear suggestions that work for me and sometimes I dont. And that is part of the beauty of take what you like and leave the rest. God brought me here and as long as I stay in touch with him on a daily basis he will continue to keep me here and for that I am eternally grateful. I cannot even begin to describe the difference in my attitude when I dedicate some time to developing my spirituality. I know that it doesnt matter how I recognize Him throughout my day as long as I take the time and let Him know that I know that He is in the drivers seat. The main thing in my spiritual growth that I am attempting to practise right now is how often throughout the day can I remind myself who is in charge. It has been a real challenge for me, but I am learning an aweful lot about myself. And my conscious contact is becoming stronger in the process. Oh and the other thing is that I try not to judge whether or not it has been a good or bad day based on this excersize. I just use it like any other tool, one that is to help me not cause for harm. There are days when I leave the house and not think about Him all day and there are days when He is almost always on my mind. I chalk that up to being human and fallable. I thank AA for reintroducing my to the childlike image of a higher power that I remember from so long ago. Thank you for giving us Bill and Dr. Bob
Hi everyone. I opened up this page, read onto the topic and felt immediate calmness and peacefulness. I love Step 11. It keeps getting better as I learn to rely on my higher power more. In crisis, I am learning finally, that first I need to go immediatly to HP. I would run around thinking of a drink, a cigarette, or the phone. What I discovered is I need quiet time with HP FIRST! I really like the directions shared on meditation. Sometimes I need to see things in black and white to be able to experience it. Even reading those instructions was peaceful.....Top priority today. Take Time to meditate with my higher power . My day always goes so much smoother. Another day sober, Kelle C.
Hello,my name is Charles S. I've been in the program for almost 6yrs and it seems like all the worst things that should have happened to me while I was out there are happening now. I have been through hell! as far as my health goes I face three terminal illnesses. I have no ideal which will strike first,and no desire to dwell on the matter either. My higher power has seen fit to place me in his powerful safety net allowing me to get out of bed everyday placing one foot in front of the other and going on with my life one day at a time. I'm gratful to be here, and for my life today. thanks for reading this.
Iforgot to mention that I'm doing the things that I need to do under close medical care. Thank God I'm sober maybe thats why all this is happening now because my God knew that I could handle it all better? what is the lesson in this? and of course why me. I need to pray more.
I failed to mention that I'm doing all the things that I need to stabilize my conditions through proper medical supervision.
Hi, my name is Anna and I am a frustrated alcoholic. I feel like I am on the brink of losing it, my sanity, my sobriety or both. I feel as though God has turned a deaf ear to me. I go to meetings, and I even go to church, but what do I get in return, a god who is deaf to my prayers. Does anyone else ever feel like this? I don't want to say how long I've been sober, cuz I shouldn't be having spiritual problems at this stage, 7 years, but I am. I always end up feeling like this when I am under school related pressure. I feel like I wanna quit school and sometimes even sobriety. But I have a smidegion of unselfishness in me, I guess. I have a daughter to raise, and I couldn't be a mom to her if I drank. This may be irrational, but I've got to say it to get it out of my head. I sometimes think god is setting me up to drink, by making things go wrong so I'll say, screw it. I'm not always in this frame of mind. Please pray that god will take the cotton out of His ears when I want to talk to him. I don't mean to offend anyone, it's just I'm angry with god, again. Please pray I can stay sober, that I can get out of this quitter mindset. Maybe next time, I'll have something better or more positive to share. Goodnight.
Good morning! from Kansas City Im Pat an alky and drug addict. Starting my day with prayer,asking to help me not drink. I will be going to a meeting in an hour, working on my 4th week. Weekends suck ! Especially with the holidays around the corner. My wife is very active at church,working on the holiday stuff.Im proud she has created a book of devotionals and hasnt had much time for me. I wasnt able to make meetings this weekend and needed to. Everything right now is "me" or "I'. Self centered. An oldtimer told me that since I have been drunk for so long, I owe it to her to let her do her thing. And I should watch the kid and grin and bear it. My sponsor says, if need be, stay at the AA hall,even if there isnt a meeting, there is people to talk to. Before I can take care of my family, I must take care of me. How can I do both. I understand she needs me but, I get antsy, and need my meetings too. Thank God for this place. Im sober today, with your help and the grace of God. Feel free to email me at DIRTYFERTY@HOTMAIL.COM Im still newly sober, any suggestions welcome thanks to Lorraine, She is an angel. Keep comin back.
Hi, I'm Judi in Phoenix,Az. Thank you George for the topic. It just happened to be the topic at my home group Sat. Step 11 is one of my favorite especially the prayer in the 12 & 12 from St Francis. If anyone needs to know where it is, it is on page 101. It has brought me the most comfort when I am really uptight. Judi D.and Charles S..I will put you in our prayer circle and if I may suggest, there is a great book put out by a Dr. Bernie Siegel called "Love, Medicine & Miracles" and may be a comfort also. It has helped our family as we have loved ones with terminal illness. Thank you Raincloud for your input on meditation and I will try it because I have a hard time quieting my mind long enough to get focused on meditating. I have been sober for a while and at least now I don't have the fear of God that I had when I got here. HP has given me a lot of wonderful things in my life that I didn't even know that I wanted. I lost my husband of 23yrs and my AA family helped me through and I did't have to drink over it, and now I have remarried a man who has been my friend for many years in this program and that certainly wasn't something I would have ever dreamed of. God works in my life all the time, all I have to do is show up and pay attention. I love this program and thank HP every day for saving my life and allowing me to live it "one day at a time". Love and Light Judi N.
Hi, I'm Catherine and I'm an alcoholic. Thank you for the topic. I got so much out of what everyone has shared. I needed to be reminded to pray for what I need, not what I want. (That can always get me in trouble!)One thing that always helps me is to remeber that my prayers are answered in God's time, not mine. He has a plan for me, and all I need to do is show up and pay attention! It gives me so much peace of mind knowing I can turn to my HP anytime, anywhere. I never had this connection before AA. Thank you AA, and thank all of you for being here. Keep coming back!
Hi, my name is Anna and I am an alcoholic. My sharing is not always as negative as it was last night. I just have been going through difficult times this month. November is a difficult month for me. Two years ago in November I lost my sister, 39 years old, to a terminal illness. I tend to get somewhat depressed in November and December. With the pressures of school and the loss, I just want to cave in, but I don't. I want the holidays to be pleasant, no happy, for my daughter. I prayed last night for help, after I got offline. I just want to add, for anyone having a tough time with holidays, go to marathon meetings, and when you can't get out, there's always the phone lists.I find it comforting to hear the voice of another recovering alcoholic. I need to go study now. Have a good one everyone.
Hi this is Anna, and I am an alcoholic. Shelley, to me a preoccupation with alcoholic signifies a problem. Do you have a desire to stop drinking? Are you worried about your drinking? I also suggest going to an open meeting or meetings. Listen for how you relate to the way people share, not how you differ, I bet you'll find someone you can relate to. Do you think non alcoholics obsess on booze? I used to think that I was not that bad or not alkie cuz I didn't get a dui, driving under the influence. Meetings usually have 20 question pamplets. take care.
Hi, I'm an alcoholic named frank b in Portland Oregon. As always the topic is excellent and the discussions are great... for me, my knees must hit the floor before my feet first thing in the morning or i'm screwed up in the self centeredness i suffer from...i've been sober for some time now, and some time ago my sponsor shared some insite into the deal..as Rick G in Washington quoted a partial sentence from There is a Solution..a little further down the page is the statement " finally God would do for us what we could not do for ourselves" (doesn't say help says do) and in How It Works (c) God could and would if he were sought (doesn't say help says would) By my asking for help i am in back in self and am suggesting that i am capable of doing something when in actuality all i was ever capable of doing was drinking, raising hell and destroying everything in and around me..but as it says God removed the obsession to drink and i was allowed to make choices...when i drank there was only one choice..today my 11 th step begins with prayer and throughout the day asking for those need moments of clairty to make appropriate decisions according to His will and one last note i (for me) have found that sometimes no answer is the best answer..like that old Garth Brooks song "Thank God for Unanswered Prayers"
My name is Lynn and I'm an alcoholic. It's odd that you should mention this step because at a recent meeting I shared on this topic how this step has actually taken me to where I am now. I have a new job. I prayed to get out of this political organization that I work for and I have looked and applied to get out for about two years. I kept remembering this step. My sponsor said many times, "Pray, Lynn, for the knowledge of His will and the power to carry that out." In my first years I was scared spitless what His will was...but gradually I kept on doing it. At times, I thoroughly got disgusted with this step and said I am sure I know what is good for me-better than ANYONE! About two months ago, I noticed an ad in our local newspaper. I thought I can do that. I sent for the application, read it through and said "I don't think so..." and threw it in the wastebasket. Step 11 came into my mind. I pulled it back out of the wastebasket. I went through this three times. The last time I KNEW. I got an interview. I got the job and I KNEW. The reason was because I was willing to pray for the knowledge-and-I kept on asking for the power. So-finally it manifested in a very joyful way. The job was even better than I first assumed and it appears that it is truly a blessing. Some of it is already. This step is not only a blessing in experiencing the goodness of God-but it will provide comfort way beyond your expectations. I feel safer knowing I am in His will for me. I'll be gone but I wish everyone who reads the comments will be truly blessed.
Hi, everyone my name is JR and I am an alcoholic In my early days of recovery I had absolutly no idea of what prayer was or how to use it, other than asking God to get me out of what ever kind of situation I was in, or what ever kind of trouble. Imagine that!! Ha! Ha! You know what ? He never answered me. Why? After coming to a few AA meetings I really found the answer and it was so simple I was at first angry and then grateful to the extreme. I learned to pray for not what He could do for me, but for what He wanted me to do for Him.. Today I only ask that His will be done and not mine. I also ask that if possiable He allow me to stay sober one more day and that I be allowed to share my experiance strength and hope with another alcoholic like myself who needs love, support and kindness when coming to the fellowship in order to find a new way of life. While at Akron this past founders day I read a quote on a mosolium at Dr. Bob`s grave "More things are wought thru prayer , than this world can imagine." Thanks for allowing me to share and remember "Keep it Simple"
(((Group)))), my name is Rita and I am an alcoholic.....whew, took a while to read through all of the wonderful sharing's from everyone!
We are so fortunate to be able to utilize this medium for a meeting!
Wish that I could share how I practice the 11th Step, but I do not have a formal meditation time any longer. It is almost as though I walk side by side with my HP on most days.......on the days that I do not, those are my most troubled days......but it does not take long to realize that I have been walking alone and have not included HIM in my day!
Great topic........will have many meetings on "gratitude" this week, with Thanksgiving a few days away!
As my sponsor always says......"never saw anyone go out and get drunk 'cuz they got too grateful"......
Hi! I'm Joe D., an alcoholic from Arizona. Thanks for the topic of Eleventh Step. It's one of my favorites, and I try to work it every morning. I guess I also have to add the word "willingness" in there...".for the power and the 'willingness' to carry that out." I just can't seem to do anything by sheer gut force, but when I ask for willingness, my HP gives it to me. Judi and Charles, you're both in my prayers, too. A blessed Thanksgiving to all.
Joe
Hi everyone, I'm Mary and I'm an alcoholic. There are some steps which I have a tendency to procrastinate witrh (i.e., 4 & 5) but i really do try step 3 and 11 at all times. Praying has become daily thing with me, and even though I am not adept at it yet, I feel that I am right where I should be. I am having a real tough time right now in dealing with a teenager who is using alcohol and drugs... However, its not about a drink for me, I realize ( finally) that that would not solve anything, and only make things worse.
By the way, this is the first time I've posted here....and I will keep coming back.... :-)
Time, once again to "Pass the Hat" This group needs your contributions to saty on-line! Please refer to the Pass the Basket portion of this Web page . Thanks
to Gail Hi i am Gary and i am an alocholic and i have been for quite some time, but for the last twenty years I have been sober, One Day at a time, and to do this all u have to remember normal people dont care what time it is or what time they drink, and we do , so to stay off of this path , find a sponsor , Usally found at meetings , and take the thirty day sobreity ride , If u can stay sober for thirty days it will be out of your system and u will be ready to learn how we do it , So I challenge you to use all of that self control to find out why we all are so happy and smiling all of the time.
until you make the thirty days the fog is controlling u and i have to have the patience to wait and help u over the hump of this time slot take care and i know you can make it 'if u dont believe me ask others and you will find out we all went through this test of wits to become sober caring people gary
Hi I'am Jenna an alcoholic and addict, For me this step 11 was very hard for me to take I was so angery at my Higher Power I felt He failed me I didn't fail him,why did he let me do this,how and why did he make me this way. It was all he's fault,when things where going really bad that's whan I prayed for the strengh and asked for help and never got an answer so I gave up after awhile.I gave myself the higher power roll took over my own life.. Well non the less I went down hill and realize to give him another chance because I could not do it myself anymore I was giving up all hope. The funny thing happend I got on my knees one morning and prayed to him,said I'am sorry I can't do your job no more please take it back it's too too hard give me the direction,He did; back to the rooms where I belonged,so from that day on, I hit my knees hard thank him for another day and for the strengh to go on to make it a sober and clean day,sometimes during the day I have to start over and ask him to do that for me so I realize now that the 11 step fits into my everyday life work,home,and my own thinking. Thank-You My HIGHER POWER who I choose to call God!!!!! Thank-you for this topic I needed to be reminded He's on my side,to help me not harm me....
I'm an alcoholic and my problem is called rich.
Sorry, I owe George in the Poconos, PA a deep amends I beleive my earier comments lead a lot of folks astray.
I deeply and humbly apologize to you all.
RE: George's topic
The third step DOES require action. It requires me to take the action of prayer, asking God, as we understand Him, to show me what His will is. If THAT'S not action?...
Have a Happy Bird Day all
Im Pat and Im an alcoholic,ex druggy.
Dear person that does PASS THE HAT. I want to contribute but for now I am unemployed. Just as soon as I regain employment, I will surely give a generous amount. Thanks for the space. This helps me a great deal. Pat DIRTYFERTY@HOTMAIL.COM
My name is sarah and i am an alcoholic. i just found this site, and "coincidentally" we're talking about the 11th step. my sponsor suggested that i practice the 11th step more vigilantly right now. i am feeling quite unhappy with my life. all areas. i don't know what will make me happy. i have told my fiance, who i live with, that i am not sure that i want to be in a relationship. i am scared, confused, and frustrated with my own process. i am in and out of faith throughout the day. i have made a commitment to myself and my higher power to go to a meeting a day. the meetings and conversations that i am having with other alcoholics has been helping, of course. knowing that i am not alone, and that god is in charge. but as usual, it's the feelings that i hate to deal with. uncertainty, doubt, and fear. the best thing so far has been that i have not taken a drink. and for that i am very grateful. i have not even had the urge to take a drink. thank you all for being here and providing a place to share our experience, strength and hope.
Hi, my name is Breck and I am an alcoholic. I think that this is a very good topic for this weeks meeting. One of the things that I have learned about step 11 is that this program is a process not an event. That's the way it has been for me in step 11. I believe that I have tried every different type of church there is looking for that spirital connection. What happened was that in each experience I learned a little bit more to add to the process of growing closer to my higher power. I also found, for me, that the answer was not in a preacher, a sponser, or any role model but within myself. I had to come to a conclusion with my life about what I wanted to do with my relationship with God. I decided to turn my life over in the 3rd step, now I just have to continue that decision. It reminds me of when I first got sober, they said "Are you willing to go to any length. Do I still have that same dedication that I had when I took the 3rd step. Well this is the first time that I have been to this site and I hope to come back, because I enjoyed listening to everyone share.
I'm Greg and I'm an alcoholic. This is the 1st time I've shared in on on-line meeting, and I'm excited to give it a shot! Step 11 is a great topic! It's been my experience that at my lowest points in sobriety, earnestly seeking God's will for me is where I've stepped off the path. I tend to "qualify" what I want from God rather than seeking God's will and trying to carry it out-a day at a time. One of the big traps I fall into is: I want God's "master plan" for me, and what I usually get is what I need to know and do right now. I sometimes get too busy to meditate...or listen. I rarely ever miss praying in a day, but the meditation piece is where I fall short. It doesn't take long, and I'm not in a very pretty place. Thanks for the opportunity to share!
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I'm Mary, an alcoholic. And if I got up and decided to drink at 12:00 and I really didn't want to drink, I would go to a noon meeting instead, if I could. In fact when I got sober, I went to a noon meeting almost every day and many days it was the first useful thing I did that day. Some days it was the first thing I did after getting dressed. But I didn't drink. So then I spent an hour in the meeting and then the magic number became 1 o'clock. I had stayed sober an hour longer than I could on my own. That was progress. Someone in a meeting reduced the ONE DAY AT A TIME principle to terms that I could relate to. if need be, I could take it ONE MINUTE AT A TIME. At 12;00, I could put off the next drink until 12:01, and if I was lucky at 12:01, I could put it off until 12:05 or even 12:15. Before I knew it I could stay sober between the 12:00 meeting and the 8:00 p.m. meeting, go home and stay sober until the next noon meeting the next day. Then I could start to relate to the idea of one day at a time. WhetherI am an alcoholic or not really doesn't matter. If I don't want to drink, I try not to drink for one day, one hour, or one minute, whatever time frame I can manage. And offering those minutes to a higher power doesn't hurt any either.
Hi, I'm Jennifer and I'm an alcoholic from Washington DC who's been sober for 4 1/2 years. I discovered this yesterday, so this is my forst time sharing on the internet...pretty cool, especially if you can't get to a meeting. The 11th step is tough for me because of the meditation part. I have a difficult time because it seems that when I meditate that is when my HP speaks to me and often I don't want to hear what he has in mind for me. I know this falls back to the 3rd step where I turn my will over, but that's hard to do 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I turn it over then take it back constantly. I do pray however and i try to pray sometimes just for his will because that's what I struggle with. Thanks for letting me share...this is really a great way to get through a workday and a wonderful new tool for me!!
Step 11 is the step that stops the "noise" for me. I had a natural remission from caancer in my second year of sobrity. What I learned from that experience and many years of bing in the program is: God wants to hear from us. Whaat it is we want from "it". What our dreams are. What our desires are. What are needs are. the problem has always been my ability to "hear" the answer. I can see and accept a very clear "yes" you can have this. It is the waite awile, or maybes, or just plain no;s that give me trouble. my pperceptions are the usual alcholic ones. Some of the gratest pain in sobrity has come from that. The trick is to stay in the now and put one foot in front of the other. Pray, Pray, Pray and when in doubt do nothing. Bev S. Van Nuys, CA
Hi , Im Lynne an alcoholic-addict, I think that if I remember to use the 11th step and use it I would probably be alot better off, in fact I know I would, when I pray and meditate everything goes alot better in my life, have a great holiday ,thanks for letting me share, talk to you soon. Keep it simple! Lynne
I'm Tim and I'm an alcoholic.
I try to vary my prayer and meditation to keep it fresh otherwise I get bored and distracted by the routine.
Thanks Raincloud for a new variation.
Many blessings and thanksgiving...Tim V
Hi everyone, I'm Anna and I am an alcoholioc. Bev, I'm from California too, I'm a bit south of you. I'm very tired tonight, but I wanted to check in. I too have been sober for seven and a half years, but I have a rocky relationship with my HP. newcomers, it isn't like this for everyone at seven years. This whole month has been like this. I'm frequently angry with God. Has anyone else been through this. I'm doubting God and angry and can't seem to get past it. I was having trouble writing a paper for my english class. As my sponsor suggested I prayed that my mind would clear pr unjumble, and when that didn't happen, I fell to pieces. then I pulled myself together and went to talk to the teacher...I mean professor. three weeks before the end of the semester, I was ready to call it quits before I went to school today. I still toy with the idea. I went to one of myh two classes, pretty good considering that I wasnn't going to go at all. I went to a face to face meeting tonight, and I'll give myself the day off tomorrow and get back to it on friday. Soemone else said he was embarassed avout his relationship with god at 7 years. I can relate. If anyone has had a similar problem with spirituality, I'd be glad to hear from you. Markusenko@aol.com. thanks. Happy Thanksgiving. This program does work. I have friends with 8+ years who are comfortably sober. Mayhbe I'll get there. God bless you all.
Hi, I'm Diane and I am a grateful recovering alcoholic. Step 11, for me, is a very important step. I practice it on a daily basis. Some days are better than others. My God has and is still getting me through some rough times. Praying is my talking to God and meditation is God answering me through other people. That's why is important that I go to meetings. Last night we went to the alcathon and heard exactly what I needed to hear. God never abandons me, it is I who moves away from him at times.
I want to wish everyone a blessed and sober Thanksgiving.
Hi, I'm Ray and I'm an alcoholic. The elventh step is one I have to work constantly, in the sense that I have to maintain an openness to the will of my higher power and get out of the way of the communicative process. I have to not interfere with my own will. That got me to AA and nearly killed me: doing things my way.
I am convinced that I am being led down a path by my higher power. I don't know where it's going, but I do know that I'm being cared for and that my mission in life is to carry out the will of my higher power, no matter what that is or what I believe it is.
Before AA I didn't even have a higher power. Life sure is different. It keeps getting better!
Hi, I'm Ray and I'm an alcoholic. The elventh step is one I have to work constantly, in the sense that I have to maintain an openness to the will of my higher power and get out of the way of the communicative process. I have to not interfere with my own will. That got me to AA and nearly killed me: doing things my way.
I am convinced that I am being led down a path by my higher power. I don't know where it's going, but I do know that I'm being cared for and that my mission in life is to carry out the will of my higher power, no matter what that is or what I believe it is.
Before AA I didn't even have a higher power. Life sure is different. It keeps getting better!
My name is Joe D., and I'm an alcoholic from Arizona. I ate too much yesterday, of course, but I've never ended up in jail for overdoing on turkey! Today I'm back to the eleventh step, striving to get closer to my Higher Power through prayer and meditation. A big dose of gratitude helps, also. If you're early in sobriety and the holidays seem daunting, remember each day is just another 24 hours, and that includes Christmas and New Years days. I try to stay in the "now" and not project. Thanks for being here!
Hi. I'm Sherry, an alcoholic and addict. This page is a very nice idea. I am definately at a lull with my 11th step, probably due to the fact that I've only been getting to a meeting once a week. These comments have really helped me out and I hope to get to a better level of serenity which I know from experience, comes from working the 11th step. Like someone else said, "If I just remember to use and do that". That's exactly why I have to go to meetings to be reminded. This is a nice for in between.
Thanks everyone.
Hi. I'm Sherry, an alcoholic and addict. This page is a very nice idea. I am definately at a lull with my 11th step, probably due to the fact that I've only been getting to a meeting once a week. These comments have really helped me out and I hope to get to a better level of serenity which I know from experience, comes from working the 11th step. Like someone else said, "If I just remember to use and do that". That's exactly why I have to go to meetings to be reminded. This is a nice for in between.
Thanks everyone.
Hi. I'm Sherry, an alcoholic and addict. This page is a very nice idea. I am definately at a lull with my 11th step, probably due to the fact that I've only been getting to a meeting once a week. These comments have really helped me out and I hope to get to a better level of serenity which I know from experience, comes from working the 11th step. Like someone else said, "If I just remember to use and do that". That's exactly why I have to go to meetings to be reminded. This is a nice for in between.
Thanks everyone.
I don't know. I'm an alcoholic and I'm a drug addict. I'm simply an addict. I believe there is something out there. There is something that has been watching over me. I am still alive!! I've done some crazy shit! Most, if not all of us have! Sometimes I feel more fucked up than other times. I seem to manage in some weird way I guess. I'm active, which may seem obvious. I'm confused. I don't know what I truly want to do with myself. For the first time, my life keeps on changing even though I have been using all the while. Normally it is the same damn thing day after day. It's a struggle though. I must be doing something different. It's not going to last for long though. Eventually I will fall again. I'm afraid of that. My knowledge of the program and all is pissing me off. That's all for now. Believe in a HP. I do. It will only carry me so far. I believe it kicks my ass when I hurt. I try to ignore the pain most of the time. Now I am used to pain. So stupid. I have no serenity. No real serenity. I can't get clean now. I am fucking myself left and right. I still believe. I am sad. I have my own ass to kick. Like I said, I don't know.
I'm so sick of what I see, what I hear,,, I love you all. All of you out there. I'm getting more fucked up as we speak, as I write... Sorry if I'm offending anyone........................It's good...but not good enough....bed...I must climb...it's a loft...I fall....................................................stay.........be.............................there...........may i live? bye.........
Hi I'm Barry and I'm an alcoholic,
To Kris M, Good to have you here, you sound alot like me. I had 12 years in and out of AA, there's nothing worse than a belly full of beer,and a head full of AA. Teetering on the brink of a decision everyday.The Pain. Hell. Just try not to pick up a drink or a drug today,and go to a meeting and the rest will follow.
As for the topic, thanks George it was perfect for me. I had just sliped in to one of my modes where I was to Busy to read my morning meditation or to remember to pray everynight, this happens to me when things are going good, but when I get away from P&M I start getting spiritually foggy, and that is not good for me.
I must always remember what I have today is not my doing, but the work of a Higher Power, and all I have is "a daily reprieve from alcohol contingent upon my Spiritual condition"
Thanks
Keep at it, Kris. If ya keep going to meetings and trying to clean up, someday it'll happen. The major thing is that ya gotta want it. If ya want it, it'll happen, just give it time.
Please don't apologize for speaking up. That's what we all need each of us to do, so we can all help each other. We've been there. Keep coming back.
Hang on Kris. I still have anger, but not like I did when I first got here. Most of mine was self-directed. "Selfishness--self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles." (Page 62). It takes time to work through it, but with the help of the steps and a Higher Power, attitude and outlook change. I can't tell you when things are going to get better, but I can promise you they will if you persist with this program. Got you in my prayers.
Joe
Any yong girls (17-20) in Phily look for 13th step work call 1-(610)-853-6306. ASK FOR LUKE V.
Kris--Hang in there. Remember, it's one day at a time. I have almost 5 years and stil have my days but knowing I was building on another 1/2 hour, another 1/2 day, day, 3 days, 1 week, made it easier. Today I recalled about how they told us in rehab that alcohol is merely a symptom. Once you take away the booze or drugs, you realize this clearly. Give your problem to God. Good luck and our prayers to you!
P.S. Luke V.- Your comments are sick man. Get a life!
Kris--Hang in there. Remember, it's one day at a time. I have almost 5 years and stil have my days but knowing I was building on another 1/2 hour, another 1/2 day, day, 3 days, 1 week, made it easier. Today I recalled about how they told us in rehab that alcohol is merely a symptom. Once you take away the booze or drugs, you realize this clearly. Give your problem to God. Good luck and our prayers to you!
P.S. Luke V.- Your comments are sick man. Get a life!
From our Twelve and Twelve of AA:
We often tend to slight serious meditation and prayer as something not really necessary. To be sure, we feel it is something that might help us to meet an occasional emergency, but at first many of us are apt to regard it as a somewhat mysterious skill of clergymen , from which we may hope to get a secondhand benefit.
In A.A. we have found that the actual good results of prayer are beyond question. They are matters of knowledge and experience. All those who have persisted have found strength not ordinarily their own. They have found wisdom beyond their usual capability. And they have increasingly found a peace of mind which can stand firm in the face of difficult circumstances. Twelve and Twelve of A.A
I like the last sentence! AND THEY HAVE INCREASINGLY FOUND A "PEACE OF MIND" WHICH CAN STAND FIRM IN THE FACE OF DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES!
That is why I drank and drugged. To find the Peace of Mind when I was stressed. (always)
I meditate every morning at 6:30 am at the morning meeting. I just sit and listen. I get recharged. I love it. It keeps me sober for another day. God could and would if He were sought.
I find that it takes a great effort to get up at that hour in the morning, but boy is it worth it.
God has blessed me with this magnificent Spirtual program. Thankyou!
Hi everyone, I am Martha and I am a drunk, November is a special month, it helps me to be thankful for what I have, not for what I WANT. I have been in the fellowship for over 16 years, and people like Luke, generally get weeded out. I will pray for him. Lets keep this sight "clean"
Hi all, my name is Rich L.. Is there a reason everyone is talking about the 11th step.Some coin sidence, I'm working my 11th step now and I feel so lifted. I've never got this far in my recovery before. Working the steps one step a mounth was a great suggestion by my sponsor, I feel so much closer to my Higher Power,God bless.
Hi . My name is Terry and I'm an alcoholic. Step 11 is a daily practice for all . Progress not profection to have a consciecne contact with my Higher Power. First I had to learn how to pray before I could begin to meditiate. A lot of make believe as if, for a few 24hrs before I found out that It became a part of a New Way of Life. I don't have to make believe anymore today to have faith in my Higher Power becomes a way of life . This is the first meeting here. Thank you all for sharing.
Hi . My name is Terry and I'm an alcoholic. Step 11 is a daily practice for all . Progress not profection to have a consciecne contact with my Higher Power. First I had to learn how to pray before I could begin to meditiate. A lot of make believe as if, for a few 24hrs before I found out that It became a part of a New Way of Life. I don't have to make believe anymore today to have faith in my Higher Power becomes a way of life . This is the first meeting here. Thank you all for sharing.