Welcome to year 2020. Now ending its first full month.
For those of us 'in recovery', January, the first month of the year, means Step 1.
Step 1 in its most basic sense is the admission that we have a problem. Pure and simple. IF one does not admit, IF one does not know, IF one does not accept the reality of a problem, there can be no solution to the same said problem can there?
Page 30 of the A.A. Big Book, More About Alcoholism, clearly states this:
We learned that we had to fully concede to our innermost selves that we were alcoholics. This is the first step in recovery.
It goes on to state on page 31 that ..
Despite all we can say, many who are real alcoholics are not going to believe they are in that class. By every form of self-deception and experimentation, they will try to prove themselves exceptions to the rule, therefore nonalcoholic.
It is oft said that Step 1 is the only step we can do perfectly.
This brings me to the definition of the word alcoholic.
Again back to page 30 where it states..
We alcoholics are men and women who have lost the ability to control our drinking.
I feel that many of us honestly believe that we can control our drinking. This flawed thinking causes many to pick up that first drink that begins the cycle of relapse.
For me personally I use the below definition..
I am an alcoholic because I cannot guarantee my actions after I take a drink of alcohol.
Good Luck and Best Wishes in Year 2020.
I began this website to show photographs of our significant historical sites. Dr. Bob's home in Akron Ohio. Bill Wilson's birthplace in East Dorset Vermont. Stepping Stones in New York. Then it occurred to me that once done .. there would be nothing more to post here! So for this reason I have decided to expand my initial thoughts about this website to also include photographs of meeting locations and other tidbits that I feel would be of interest to those of you following this website.
MANY OF YOU WILL NOT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT THE MANY IMPORTANT HISTORICAL SITES OF THE FELLOWSHIP OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS.
I PLAN TO SHARE WITH YOU PHOTOS I HAVE TAKEN OF THEM AS WELL AS PHOTOS I HAVE TAKEN OF SPECIAL MEETING LOCATIONS THAT I HAVE VISITED.
I PLAN TO SHARE WITH YOU PHOTOS I HAVE TAKEN OF THEM AS WELL AS PHOTOS I HAVE TAKEN OF SPECIAL MEETING LOCATIONS THAT I HAVE VISITED.
Showing posts with label Step 1. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Step 1. Show all posts
Friday, 31 January 2020
Tuesday, 30 January 2018
JAN 30, 18 .. STEP ONE
The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, Chapter 5, How It Works, page 59, states :
Step 1 .. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol - that our lives had become unmanageable.
I wonder how many members fully realize that there are two steps that come before we get to the above Step 1?
On page 58, prior to the steps that appear on pages 59 and 60 are the following words.
If you have decided you want what we have and are willing to go to any length to get it - then you are ready to take certain steps.
One has to want this program. Further one has to be willing to go to any length to get it.
So IF you want this program and are willing to go to any length to get it THEN you are ready to take the suggested twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.
What exactly is step 1.
Allow me to share a true story with you.
In 1950, I was sitting in a High School latin language class. Little did I know on that long ago school morning, that my life was about to change forever.
Sitting next to me on my left was a fellow student who was wearing eye glasses. Fooling around, as I tended to do in class, I reached over across his face with my right hand and I took off his eye glasses and put them on.
Oh My Gosh! I Can See The Blackboard! Oh My Gosh! I Can See The Leaves On The Trees Outside The Window!
You see? I did not know that I could not see normally. I did not know that I had a problem. If one does not know that one has a problem, there can not possibly be a solution to the problem.
This is what Step 1 is. Step 1 is the simple admission that one has a problem with alcohol.
This should be a simple yes or no. Yes I have a problem. No I do not have a problem.
Next month I will write about my thoughts on Step 2.
Step 1 .. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol - that our lives had become unmanageable.
I wonder how many members fully realize that there are two steps that come before we get to the above Step 1?
On page 58, prior to the steps that appear on pages 59 and 60 are the following words.
If you have decided you want what we have and are willing to go to any length to get it - then you are ready to take certain steps.
One has to want this program. Further one has to be willing to go to any length to get it.
So IF you want this program and are willing to go to any length to get it THEN you are ready to take the suggested twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.
What exactly is step 1.
Allow me to share a true story with you.
In 1950, I was sitting in a High School latin language class. Little did I know on that long ago school morning, that my life was about to change forever.
Sitting next to me on my left was a fellow student who was wearing eye glasses. Fooling around, as I tended to do in class, I reached over across his face with my right hand and I took off his eye glasses and put them on.
Oh My Gosh! I Can See The Blackboard! Oh My Gosh! I Can See The Leaves On The Trees Outside The Window!
You see? I did not know that I could not see normally. I did not know that I had a problem. If one does not know that one has a problem, there can not possibly be a solution to the problem.
This is what Step 1 is. Step 1 is the simple admission that one has a problem with alcohol.
This should be a simple yes or no. Yes I have a problem. No I do not have a problem.
Next month I will write about my thoughts on Step 2.
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