Member: Betsy
Location: Washington
Remote Name: 67.168.35.179
Date: 14 Mar 2004
Time: 05:55 PM -0500
Being raised in an atheist home was not the best start for a life of meditation I guess, so it should be no surprise that this step has never been especially clear-cut or easy for me. Not believing that perfection is the only way to approach these steps however, I began doing this one to the best of my ability. After all, it's not like these steps were designed to be done AFTER we were all better, but to GET us better, (smile). So, even after all these years I muddle through the meditation part, and every day ask quite specifically JUST "...for knowledge of His will and the power to carry that out." (I do also ask for the strength, since I tend to be a weenie at times....) Hugs, Betsy
Member: Gabrielle P
Location: Northwest Ohio
Remote Name: 152.163.252.133
Date: 14 Mar 2004
Time: 06:09 PM -0500
Gabrielle grateful recovering alcoholic, The first part of this Step for me is when I am making time to be quiet, open my mind and heart and be still enough to hear God's direction for me...by that I mean that I am not asking for God to do something for me, but instead asking Him what would He have me do. So I need to be open minded and willing to accept that when things are not right or a little off, it might just be that I have not taken enough time in my day to be aware that I should be asking for God's help and direction more and trying to be better at doing what is His will for me instead of trying to continue to run the show...I can tell today the difference in my life when I am in contact with Him, nothing bothers me, my life feels good and nothing has to be spectacular for me to just be happy.... I cannot fail until I stop trying, In Sobriety, In AA, In Life Gabrielle
Member: Tihearah K.
Location: Charleston SC
Remote Name: 68.58.252.23
Date: 15 Mar 2004
Time: 12:39 AM -0500
IM AM A ALCOHOLIC NAME TIHEARAH. WHEN I START MY DAY, I ASK GOD TO BLESS ME MY FAMILY, FRIENDS THOSE WHO DON'T LIKE ME AND THOSE WHO I DON'T LIKE FOR ALL THE BLESSING HE HAVE FOR US THIS DAY, OPEN UP OUR HEARTS AND LET HIS LIGHT SHINE THREW SO WE MAY BETTER SERVE HIM. THEN I TRY TO HEAR HIM BUT. ALL I HEAR IS MY VOICE OR I CAN CALL ANOTHER ALCOHOLIC, AND TRY TO MAKE A MEETING. GOD SPEAKS TO ME THREW YOU. GOD BLESS. THANKS FOR LETTING ME SHARE.
Member: Adam H.
Location: New York, NY
Remote Name: 64.232.156.194
Date: 15 Mar 2004
Time: 09:58 AM -0500
Adam, alcoholic. I try to remember, for myself, that the key word in this step is IMPROVE. I came in to AA spiritually bankrupt, and the only form o prayer and meditation I could do then was sitting quietly for five minutes focusing on nothing but breathing in and out in the morning. I didn't know that was going to be an important tool for me later on in my sobriety...that when I was stressed out at work or in very heated discussions with people, before I opened my fresh mouth and gave someone a piece of my mind that I could not spare, or before I went into situations like weddings or parties where I knew alcohol was going to be served, I could excuse myself, head for the men's room and just take five minutes alone to calm down and get centered. The best I could do at first with prayer for a long time was writing letters to God in a journal, asking fir courage to stay in the day, to get through the stuff that scared me sober and to try to help another person today. That time writing has really taken on much more meaning to me as I have continued to do it a day at a time. It has actually been the way by which I have formed a better relationship with a Higher Power. Taking little actions that, over time and with practice, ended up having great meaning for me...that's improving my conscious contact with God as I understand God. Thanks for letting me share.
Member: Nate W.
Location: Spokane, WA
Remote Name: 24.18.115.53
Date: 15 Mar 2004
Time: 02:35 PM -0500
Hi Nate here, Prayer is a big help in my recovery, many nights I just pray to God and afterwards I have this awesome feeling I can't explain, but it gives me strength and courage in myself to work through things. Thanks
Member: Nate W.
Location: Spokane, WA
Remote Name: 24.18.115.53
Date: 15 Mar 2004
Time: 06:24 PM -0500
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Member: AZbill
Location: azbill1172@cox.net
Remote Name: 68.231.160.24
Date: 16 Mar 2004
Time: 04:03 PM -0500
Hi. Bill here alcoholic from Arizona. This is a neat step. Working it out of the big book,it gives me explicit directions on how to get through each day safely. I review my day when I go to bed. I ask myself those eight questions. There are five prayers that help me get through each day. After my daily review I ask what corrective measures I should take if any.. When I wake up, I ask for directions especially to help me stay out of self and dishonesty. If I am doubtful, I can ask for inspiration or usually just relax and generally the right answer will come if my motives are right. If I run into road blocks I can ask for a right thought or action. And at the end of my meditation I just ask God to stick with me and show me the way. I feel the meditation part is a bit more than just cocking my ear and trying to listen. Meditation means deep thinking and at the beginning of this step we are instructed to think through our day. To consider our plans. I have found out that prayer in and of itself is not very useful unless I follow it with some appropriate action. Thank you all for being a part of my sobriety today. Love ya, Bill
Member: Drew
Location: MI
Remote Name: 12.37.12.210
Date: 16 Mar 2004
Time: 09:26 PM -0500
Drew, alcoholic. Improve our concisous contact with god. Not create one and then maintain it. Yes, creating one is what most of us had to do when we entered this program. But that is not enough. I spent a few years maintaining my concious contact. They weren't terrible years, but they weren't great either. One day I was reminded by an AA friend about the "continueing to improve" part of the program. Life has been a lot better since. An ok life isn't bad (not compared to my drinking life), but a life based on continually improving our concious contact with god as we understand him (and thus ourselves) is amazing. I glad I was reminded. Thanks, -Drew
Member: jimr
Location: chicago
Remote Name: 68.164.8.193
Date: 17 Mar 2004
Time: 12:55 AM -0500
Jim, recovered alcoholic through the grace of God, the 12 steps and the AA felowship Prayer and meditation play a major role in my daily spiritual conditioning. At times, it's concious contact when I'm troubled or confused, or especially when I snatch my will back. But the days when I invite the Power to stay at my side is when the days become seemless with an attitude of love, tolerance and service. What can I do that best emulates his love. Strength comes from recognizing my weakness. Best wishes to all.
Member: KimM
Location: Pompano Beach, FL
Remote Name: 64.118.241.84
Date: 17 Mar 2004
Time: 08:33 AM -0500
I will depend on God alone; I will put my hope in him. He alone protects and saves me ; he is my defender, and I shall never be defeated. My salvation and honor depend on God: he is my strong protector; he is my shelter. I will trust in God at all times. I will tell him my troubles for he is my refuge. Amen ( Adapted from Psalm 62:5-8) This is my prayer & meditation for the month of March. Each month I have a new meditation prayer that helps me keep the contact with my HP (GOD).
Member: Craig L (Dogmanor@yahoo.com)
Location: Aloha, Oregon
Remote Name: 65.102.61.160
Date: 18 Mar 2004
Time: 11:44 AM -0500
When I was still drinking, nothing was real. I thought my ãlook goodä was all that mattered. When I first read this step I envisioned sitting cross-legged Buddha style or reverently kneeling hands folded in front of me. I have done those things and it did help. LOL. This step is another aspect of my recovery I must get ãrealä with. Today, I take a few minutes every morning to reflect on God before I leave the house. When I get restless and irritable, I ask the God of my understanding for help. I become quiet and listen. I have yet to not have an intuitive thought come back to me. Doing this I have not only have freedom from alcohol, but I get to have Peace and Joy more often than not.
Member: Chris W.
Location: Key West, FL
Remote Name: 65.2.1.2
Date: 18 Mar 2004
Time: 02:05 PM -0500
Practicing the Eleventh step on a constant basis has "paid off" in rewards beyond my wildest imagination. Yesterday, while working outside and talking with God as I worked, my heart suddenly went KA-BLAM. I was given a shot of God's Love that I never,ever realized existed. If anyone had seen me at the time. I probably would have looked like I was floating three feet off the ground. I just never knew, but now that has changed. Much love and peace.
Member: Stephen C
Location: North Stratford,N.H.
Remote Name: 165.121.131.117
Date: 20 Mar 2004
Time: 02:20 PM -0500
Hi everyone this is a good step for me well i ahd to do alot of soughting throught my prayers and also my meditation,because i have a very hard time,but i do have a higher power and yes he does help me with my problems and it all doesnt happen in one day and im finding this out and so i go to a special place just to be alone to think and talk with my higher power to help me sought out what i need for the day and so it works for me and so if any one every needs the hand of A A im here and i can be reach aT;fruitbomber20027@hotmail.com
Member: Bill S
Location: St Petersburg Fl
Remote Name: 24.144.82.199
Date: 20 Mar 2004
Time: 09:15 PM -0500
Frank McN was my higher power for at first. Then the group. Then, I would not go to a Sunday AA meeting because I thought that would be church. I'm better today. Not well. Better. Will be C/S 19 years in a few days.
Member: Peggy E
Location: Salem, Oregon
Remote Name: 67.164.52.213
Date: 21 Mar 2004
Time: 12:33 AM -0500
Hi! I'm Peggy. I'm an alcoholic. The 11th step is awesome as we grow spiritually. I heard "prayer is talking to God, meditation is listening to God". Pretty simple. It is spiritual progress not spiritual perfection. I love the prayer of St Francis as in the 12 and 12 Book. But I can simply sit in a park and see and hear God's creatures and feel fed by His grace.