Step Twelve
Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
Please share your experience, strength, and hope as it relates to Step 12. The opinions expressed here are strictly those of the person who gave them. Take what you liked and leave the rest. Member sharing on the Member Blog may be used in future Al‑Anon publications.
When I was new in Al-Anon I was eager and felt ready to carry the message of hope to others. I was a good communicator, or so I thought, and I considered that I had the program “by the tail.” Little did I know that the first part of the Step, that I had skipped, suggested a spiritual awakening. I was lucky because, early in the process, I had a Sponsor who gently brought me back to the reality of it. For me, now that I have had a spiritual awakening, I realise that sometimes I am not quite “awake… Read more »
Step 12 is the beginning of a new chapter. It’s not the end as I once thought. I understand that I can move forward being an example to others as I practice what I’ve learned. It doesn’t mean I’m done working on myself, it means I have the tools necessary to continue my journey with a new outlook on life. One filled with courage, strength, and hope.
This Step has three things that I must pay attention to and they are placed in a very wise order: having had a spiritual awakening, carrying the message and practicing these principles. I must say that after being in the program for a rather short time, I went right to transmitting the message. I was filled with gratitude for having found this program and I wanted everybody I knew, that could benefit from it, to join in. With time, I came to realize the importance of the spiritual awakening as the basis of this Tradition. Spiritual has to do with… Read more »
While working the Steps I thought that Step 12 would be the end of my journey. But I’ve found that instead of being the end, it is actually the beginning. Step 12 tells me that now that I have learned so much about myself, I need to continue the journey while practicing all that I’ve learned and using all of the tools in the process. And I cannot keep what I’ve learned all to myself because I’m excited to share it with others. And by practicing the principles of the program I can do that.
Having had a spiritual awakening … When I first came into the program I thought this meant there would be a big “burning bush” or huge transformation. I’ve come to know there has been a huge transformation in how I live my life, but it didn’t happen overnight and no burning bush. Instead I’ve had many aha moments along the way. Many times of changing my behavior and doing things differently. That’s how I have experienced spiritual awakening. Tried to carry this message to others … Again, when I was new I wanted to carry the message to everyone I… Read more »
Step Twelve is inspiring to me as it helps me to stay grounded and better apply the principles of this program in my life. To be spiritually awake means that my spirit is alert and that physical things, thoughts, etc are put on the back burner. This spiritual awakening has come after I had put the previous Steps into practice. There are times when I fail one or more of those Steps and then I know that I am not in tune with my spirituality. This is when I should not even consider carrying the message, even if the occasion… Read more »
Wow – Step 12 – Having had a spiritual awakening as THE result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others, and to practice these principles in all our affairs. I have highlighted the word THE in this step, because for me that is the goal of the program – a spiritual awakening. There is no other goal – not fixing people, places or things and not fixing myself! The goal is establishing and maintaining a spiritual connection with a power greater than myself that I turn to in ALL my affairs. What is then a spiritual… Read more »
I consider the twelve steps, directed by my God, as a guideline for my life. Step Twelve is the culmination of my journey through the steps. It reminds me where I’ve been, how far I’ve come and of the work I still need to do.
Each Step is my favorite, but at this moment I am called to think about Step 12 and what I am thinking about is practicing these principles in ALL my affairs. What principles? The answer is simple: those I have learned through making the 12 Steps my life. Let go and let God. Be the best version of me each day. If I make an error in my behavior, make amends ASAP and ask God, my HP, to help me do better tomorrow. Keep an open dialogue with God and listen carefully for the answers I need. Be a part… Read more »
Step Twelve requires humility, wisdom and respect, which in itself asks of us to be spiritual in thoughts, words and actions. This was not easy for me when I first came to the program, as I was filled with false pride, lacked wisdom and didn’t know the needed bounderies to create respect. However, applying all the Steps in my life has helped me to come to Step twelve, despite the highs and lows that came about in my recovery. At the beginning of my being in the program, I thought I could easily transmit the message to others, Since, I… Read more »
French is my first language and I learned English as a second language when I was 12 years old. At first I would think in French, translate in my head, and then say it in English. When I started thinking in English, I realized I had finally learned the language. When I first came to Al-Anon, I didn’t think in Al-Anon language. I would do and say things, and then realized that I had tools to keep me from causing harm. As time went on I started thinking about the “Do’s and Don’ts”, the slogans, etc before I reacted to… Read more »
Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these Steps…it is an amazing process that opened up a genuine, loving, and peaceful way to live. I tried many times over many years to find a way to do that. During that time I believed the alcoholic stole my chance to have that kind of life. Today, I know I can choose to have my best life every day when I use the tools of this program and the spiritual gift that is shared with me by other members who have given me what they have. I have learned that… Read more »