As one of the most unique initiatives ever, in the struggle against alcoholism across the world, Alcoholics Anonymous has helped millions overcome their addiction problems. It is a fellowship of men and women struggling with their addiction, who have volunteered to beat their own problem with the bottle and do all they can to help others like them. It began with the publication of the book, whose title became the name and style of what is now not just a fellowship but a movement. This movement sustains itself on 12 guiding principles that further expands into the 12 steps that every member must pledge to uphold in their first AA meeting. Know the importance of praying to God just for His blessings and to carry out His will. When you believe in the power of the Almighty to help you find your way, you can rest assured that you will find it soon.
Important Points
Here’s a look at the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous and what they mean to the members who pledge to uphold these steps.
1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol – that our lives had become unmanageable. Admitting your mistake right at the beginning at AA meetings makes it easier to make the necessary mental adjustments and face the truth.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. When you believe in the power of the Almighty to help you find your way, you can rest assured that you will find it soon.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. Submitting yourself entirely to God will give you the strength of conviction about reaching your goal.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Looking inwards to introspect and facing the truth about your wrongdoings will make you stronger.
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. “I want to confess the nature of my wrongdoings in an AA meeting near me.” This will lighten the load of guilt in your mind.
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. Pray to God Almighty to help you rebuild a strong and sound character.
More Important Points
7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. Only when you believe in God can you ask Him to eliminate your weaknesses.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. “I want to make good for all my evil deeds that caused harm to others, at AA meetings near me.” This is an act of courage. When you believe in the power of the Almighty to help you find your way, you can rest assured that you will find it soon.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Desist from euphoria while making amends to folks you had harmed and do it responsibly and quietly.
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. Make sure to keep a count of your errors and admit it as soon as you can.
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out. Know the importance of praying to God just for His blessings and to carry out His will. When you believe in the power of the Almighty to help you find your way, you can rest assured that you will find it soon.
12. 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. By following these self-regulatory rules you must not just be content with your own success in quitting alcohol but see how these principles can be of help to others in need.
Conclusion
It began with the publication of the book, whose title became the name and style of what is now not just a fellowship but a movement. This movement sustains itself on 12 guiding principles that further expand into the 12 steps that every member will follow rules.