Step Twelve/Service

Motivation
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Step Twelve: “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.”

Let’s take a look at that again and break it down a bit: “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.”

The program is the steps; no two ways about it. If you’re not working the steps, you’re loitering in your recovery; respectfully. Our goal is to work steps 1-9 and to live each day in 10-12. It’s no more complicated than that.

The message we’re meant to carry to other sick and suffering alcoholics/addicts is the message of the program; not our own made-up message. Keeping it on the “I”, my message that I develop when running on self will instead of God’s will is one that lands me in hospitals, institutions and jail. My job is to carry the message of the program; a message of recovery.

Trust God, clean house, help others. To keep it simple, these are the principles I’m meant to be practicing in ALL my affairs. Everyday, in everything I do I’m meant to put my faith in God, keep my side of the street clean and put others first.

The guiding principle of Step Twelve is service. Service is key in sobriety. It’s extremely important for me to give back what was so freely given to me. I personally make myself of service to others whenever possible. I have a commitment at both of my home groups, I speak at meetings & institutions whenever asked to and I help others whenever I can and I don’t do it for the applause; I do it because it’s what the program suggests I do and following these simple suggestions keeps me sober today.

I’m thirty-five days clean & sober from alcohol/crack-cocaine. I owe it all to the fellowship and give glory to God everyday for His mercy & grace. I wish you all to find happiness, joy, serenity, peace & love on your journeys!

God bless :folded_hands:t4::heart:

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That’s a great attitude Roger.
It works if you work it.
And you’re worth it.
Keep up the great work!

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And, if you don’t you’re brown bread, line 3 as a dearly departed friend used to say (she died sober, but far too young 46)
:innocent:&:smiling_face_with_horns:

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I remember the first time I made it to step 12. I believed in my own mind I have completed the steps. I was completely wrong. I never got a certificate of compensation. I got a relapse. But the next time I learned to live the steps. I woke up each day powerless willing and turned my life over to God. Then when o retired at night I reviewed my day and made any wrongs right prayed and meditated and carried the message. This thing works. Im still here.

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Congrats on 35 days free. I appreciate you sharing your experience, strength, and hope with us

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Welcome Roger! Glad u found us! I really enjoyed reading ur post. Thank u for sharing!! Some time ago, I had attended in-person meetings for a little over 10 years and had completed the steps a number of times. The steps are in order for a reason and I do agree that service work is also very crucial for our recoveries. I noticed tho that when I stopped taking daily inventory and stopped doing service work, and began running things on self will, i unforunately relapsed and went out for quite a long time.

I have almost 4 years clean (in Feb 2026) from crack cocaine and have made sure to continue being of service to others where ever I can be of service. Not just related to recovery, but also in everyday life.

I do try my best to practice the principals in ALL of my affairs. But this can be tricky. Sometimes I pick and choose when to practice these principals and when I dont (not on purpose but bcuz some old behaviours I am still trying to change).

Thank u for the reminder :slight_smile:

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