and keep this feeling all the time, not just at meetings and when on good behavior! This is Step 12.
I see too many people who seem to be just “Getting by” in their lives. One of Webster’s definitions of life is the quality that distinguishes a vital and functional being from a dead body.
These are the people that act, sound, and even look like they are existing rather than living. A spark in them may be lit occasionally but listening to them is difficult because it tends to bring me down somewhat.
I am Happy, Joyous, and Free, and wish everyone felt the same about themselves. One of my missions in this Human Experience is to try to help as many other people feel just as good as I do and preferably even better.
If they are better, it gives me something to reach for. This way, we all profit. I am an unashamed capitalist who believes wholeheartedly in earning and making a profit, and not all monetary, from my endeavors.
So, the more that I see others succeed in their lives, the more that I like it. The only way that I know to help others is to let them know just what I have done to achieve this measure of emotional success.
And then give them the opportunity to either choose or reject for themselves. I can not change anything but myself but, hopefully, I can show others how they can change themselves IF THEY CHOOSE TO!
THIS LEADS US INTO THE 12th STEP
The 12th Step says “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.” This is a 3 part step.
First “Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps…” We must acknowledge that we are more spiritually awake or aware because of the other 11 Steps that we have worked to get to this point.
Next, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics. We try to let others, who are in similar circumstances to what we were, know that there is a way out of the hole we have put ourselves into.
Finally, we practice these principles in all our affairs. In all our affairs means what it says. This means 24/7/365 to cover it ALL. We don’t pick and choose when to practice them and when not to.
I received my Happiness, Joy, and Freedom when I discovered Spirituality. I was introduced to this concept by AA and, seeing it seemingly work in others, wanted what they had and was willing to go to any lengths to get it.
From these introductions to Spirituality, I was advised to study Emmet Fox, who had been the Spiritual Advisor for Bill W. and many other of the original AAs.
I read Fox’s Sermon on the Mount and got so much out of it that I started giving it as gifts to others, both in and out of the Program. I then looked up and studied Fox’s papers and talks and turned to them whenever a problem arose in my life.
I, sure enough, began to rapidly become more Happy, Joyous, and Free. Since Mr. Fox was no longer alive, I had to rely on his writings for my spiritual guidance.
Things stayed this way for about 40 years and then I met Reverend Stephanie Sorensen, of Flint’s Life Enrichment Center, and heard her talks and teachings.
They deepened my feelings of pleasure, comfort, and guidance that had been started by AA and the works of Emmet Fox. Reverend Sorensen now is my Spiritual Advisor.
The 12 Steps of AA were devised by early pioneers in the program and influenced by Mr. Fox. That is probably why, when I started hearing Reverend Sorensen’s talks, I thought I was hearing an AA Program talk.
AA and spiritual teachings seem to be a great complement to each other. By following what I have learned in the Spiritual Program of AA and continuing learning in spiritual studies as close to 24/7/365 as possible, I have become genuinely Happy, Joyous, and Free.
Does this mean that I enjoy seeing someone in pain? Not a chance! All that it means is that I can continue doing the next right thing, whatever it is.
Happy, because when someone needs help, I intuitively know what to do because I am no longer under the influence of a mind-altering substance and the action will be right.
Joyous, because I know in my heart that what I am doing is the right thing.
Free of being under the influence of alcohol or other mind-altering substances allows me to make choices in everything and they are the right ones.
Working the Program 24/7/365 is not complicated. I just try to always do the next right thing and it seems to work fine for me. When I am working on my Program, if it feels right, it IS right. Thank you, God!
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