Life and death on a daily basis.

We all have a story to tell. We may be shy and be afraid of talking in front of crowds but we are called in step 12 to spread the word. We probably feel less intimidated by others now and realize that people coming into the program are just like we were, miserable scared and feeling one down. We must share our experience, strength and hope to the newbies just as Bill suggested we do. That's how it works, like in the military when they say "Watch one, do one, teach one.
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This is the action step. Time to "put our money where our mouths are", so to speak. We must offer them a chance to lose their doubts and fears and begin their recovery. Are we willing to allow our Higher power to use us in this way? The theme of surrender, humility, and service calls us to duty as we start to practice daily what we've learned. Our recovery stories are vital to those who come in to the program behind us. We remember how those messages of hope filtered in through the fog that surrounded us during those early days of sobriety; how the things they said like "keep coming back' and "don't leave before the miracles" kept us sober one more day. Our stories are about hope, hope that they don't have to drink again, that this can be the very last relapse and that they don't have to die the alcoholic death. We remember that it is about life and death and that our mission is a vital one.

We all have a valuable story to tell and we need to find the way to tell it. One way is to learn to listen to the other persons needs.
We didn't respond well to
"preaching" and neither will they. We need to learn to communicate with sensitivity and love. We need to "love them until they can love themselves" . The other Book says "throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress and God will save you and those who hear you." In other words, actions speak as loud as words. As we practice the 12 Steps daily, others will see us and want to hear our story.

Whether it be in one to one conversation with a newcomer, or sharing at a meeting or speaking before the fellowship, we are called to spread the word in this action step. Every alcoholic is a lost soul whom our Higher Power wants us to bring back into the fold of sobriety. When we do this we have worked step 12.
Love and Serenity to all, Terry

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Tags: Recovery