“Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.”

 

A spiritual awakening is a promised result of working the 12 steps. Before I work the steps again, I always find myself in the same place: afraid of the unknown outcome. My higher power has never steered me wrong or given me harmful outcomes of spiritual growth yet I still find myself afraid of it. That’s no excuse, it’s just a reality. It’s my job as an adult with a fully developed brain to be able to look at the past, take a deep breath and a prayer then again make a decision to walk through the unknown. It’s because of these awarenesses that I can cherish the gift of being able to carry the message to other alcoholics. Alcoholics willing and openminded in the present may never again have the willingness and opportunity to get sober in the future. So we must be available and responsive to the needs of those who are still suffering. Consistent work with newly sober people is one of the best ways to gain perspective and gratitude for the shifts in external and internal circumstances of your own life. Today, I am grateful that I am a sober alcoholic and I’m able to practice the principles in all my affairs even when it’s tough to do so. The lessons learned in 2017 were massive and a total result of the universe conspiring for my greater good.

 

Happy New Year, from all of us at Camelback Recovery!