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Steps to Sobriety
Living by the Spiritual Principles in The Big Book
Created on 2004-05-21 23:56:04 (#3224093), last updated 2009-12-12
1,111 comments received
Basic Account [Gift]
375 Journal Entries, 0 Tags, 3 Memories, 0 Virtual Gifts, 1 Userpic
Basic Info| Website: | Recovery |
|---|---|
| Membership: | Open |
| Posting Access: | All Members |
| Description: | A journal for those sharing thier experiences with using the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous |
AboutThis community was created for those persons in 12 Step programs, who use the Big Book Of Alcoholics Anonymous as a guide to living.
I have come to discover in my own experience that the Big Book contains spiritual truths and that the program, as it was written, can produce a spiritual experience by following a few simple steps.
I regularly attend Big Book and Step Study meetings. I have found that by sharing my experience with the 12 steps, I can be helpful to others. Likewise, by hearing others experience with the Big Book, I am guided and inspired as well.
The premise and “rules” for this group are as follows:
1.The Big Book was divinely inspired and/or contains universal spiritual truths.
2.The Big Book contains the instructions for the 12 Step process by which alcoholics (and others) can follow to have a “spiritual experience” sufficient to recover from a spiritual experience (and much, much more)
3.The intent of this journal community is to be a forum by which we can share our experiences with how applying the 12 steps in our lives and the results of that application and gain inspiration from those that live by these principles.
a. This journal is NOT intended to be a substitute for a 12 step program
b. This journal is NOT intended to be a place to discuss non-recovery related information.
4.If you do NOT have experience with a topic being discussed, I ask that you refrain from offering advice or suggestions.
5.I would hope that this also becomes an “educational experience”. I have found that no matter how much I think I know, there is infinite more that I don’t! And I must remain open-minded and teachable. Please do not hesitate to ask questions here or of any of the oldtimers that hang out.
6.Please refrain from sharing OPINION rather than experience. That’s often difficult. We form opinions based on our experience.
7.I will not edit or delete posts unless they are blatantly rude, vulgar, insulting or way off topic. And even then, I’ll usually just warn you. In the 4 years this journal has been around, I have deleted one post. Just be respectful.
8.My experience has been that the 12 steps can be helpful to anyone as long as they follow them completely. Half measures avail us nothing. So while the Big Book is focused on AA and alcoholism, the journal is open to all who wish to apply the 12 steps, live by these principles, or have an interest in doing so. But the primary focus you may find here is mind or mood altering substances.
9. Please introduce and qualify yourself (ie., I am an addict/alcoholic/etc.) In your introduction, please let us know where you are at TODAY in your sobriety. Not necessarily time-wise, although that is suggested, but where are you are with the STEPS and your relationship with your higher power.
10. Post a brief summary of your "Experience Strength and Hope" in a seperate post with "Experience Strength & Hope; (Username)" in the Subject line. When I say brief, do not feel you need to edit, but try not to spend too much time on the drama of the drinking/using. We ALL know what that is like. Experience AND the Big Book show me that it is not about what I did when I drank or used, but what happened to me when I drank or used. A good rule of thumb is about three paragraphs (please use LJ cuts when necessary): One for what it was like. One for what happened. And one for what it is like now.
11. Keep an open mind
12. I just gotta write something here because “eleven” rules just didn’t seem right. Now its 12!
Please visit the MEMORIES link for this journal to read or post your own experience with each of the 12 steps. Initially, I had people post their “intros” there also. But the ‘design’ of this journal got trashed and I am open to suggestions as to how to format or redesign it so it will work better. I am totally ignorant of LJ…ha!
I have come to discover in my own experience that the Big Book contains spiritual truths and that the program, as it was written, can produce a spiritual experience by following a few simple steps.
I regularly attend Big Book and Step Study meetings. I have found that by sharing my experience with the 12 steps, I can be helpful to others. Likewise, by hearing others experience with the Big Book, I am guided and inspired as well.
The premise and “rules” for this group are as follows:
1.The Big Book was divinely inspired and/or contains universal spiritual truths.
2.The Big Book contains the instructions for the 12 Step process by which alcoholics (and others) can follow to have a “spiritual experience” sufficient to recover from a spiritual experience (and much, much more)
3.The intent of this journal community is to be a forum by which we can share our experiences with how applying the 12 steps in our lives and the results of that application and gain inspiration from those that live by these principles.
a. This journal is NOT intended to be a substitute for a 12 step program
b. This journal is NOT intended to be a place to discuss non-recovery related information.
4.If you do NOT have experience with a topic being discussed, I ask that you refrain from offering advice or suggestions.
5.I would hope that this also becomes an “educational experience”. I have found that no matter how much I think I know, there is infinite more that I don’t! And I must remain open-minded and teachable. Please do not hesitate to ask questions here or of any of the oldtimers that hang out.
6.Please refrain from sharing OPINION rather than experience. That’s often difficult. We form opinions based on our experience.
7.I will not edit or delete posts unless they are blatantly rude, vulgar, insulting or way off topic. And even then, I’ll usually just warn you. In the 4 years this journal has been around, I have deleted one post. Just be respectful.
8.My experience has been that the 12 steps can be helpful to anyone as long as they follow them completely. Half measures avail us nothing. So while the Big Book is focused on AA and alcoholism, the journal is open to all who wish to apply the 12 steps, live by these principles, or have an interest in doing so. But the primary focus you may find here is mind or mood altering substances.
9. Please introduce and qualify yourself (ie., I am an addict/alcoholic/etc.) In your introduction, please let us know where you are at TODAY in your sobriety. Not necessarily time-wise, although that is suggested, but where are you are with the STEPS and your relationship with your higher power.
10. Post a brief summary of your "Experience Strength and Hope" in a seperate post with "Experience Strength & Hope; (Username)" in the Subject line. When I say brief, do not feel you need to edit, but try not to spend too much time on the drama of the drinking/using. We ALL know what that is like. Experience AND the Big Book show me that it is not about what I did when I drank or used, but what happened to me when I drank or used. A good rule of thumb is about three paragraphs (please use LJ cuts when necessary): One for what it was like. One for what happened. And one for what it is like now.
11. Keep an open mind
12. I just gotta write something here because “eleven” rules just didn’t seem right. Now its 12!
Please visit the MEMORIES link for this journal to read or post your own experience with each of the 12 steps. Initially, I had people post their “intros” there also. But the ‘design’ of this journal got trashed and I am open to suggestions as to how to format or redesign it so it will work better. I am totally ignorant of LJ…ha!
ConnectInterests (48):
12 step, 12 step program, 12 steppers, 12 steps, aa, addict, addiction, addicts, alcoholic, alcoholics, alcoholics anonymous, alcoholism, big book, bill w., ca, carry the message, cma, cocaine, cocaine anonymous, crystal meth anonymous, crystal methamphetamine, dr. bob, drug addiction, drug addicts, drugs, experience, ga, gamblers anonymous, god, heroin, meditation, na, narcotics anonymous, oa, overeaters anonymous, powerless, powerlessness, prayer, prayer and meditation, recovered, recovery, sober, sobriety, speed, spirit, spiritual, spirituality, we came to believe
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