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Stepping Outside – Step Twelve (Part 1)
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Step number 12 is, perhaps, the step might think of the most is using in our day-to-day lives. My version of this step comes from the first edition of the book Alcoholics Anonymous. I have taken those steps and changed the wording slightly in order to make them more personal. So, my version of step 12 is as follows: Having had a spiritual experience as the result of this course of action, I try to carry this message to others, and to practice these principles in all my affairs. I have underlined the words that have been changed since the original, first edition.
The word experience has been changed to awakening. This course of action is been changed to these steps. Others as been changed to alcoholics. As a reminder, I believe the word experience was replaced with awakening so that folks wouldn’t think they had to expect some physical spiritual experience. I believe the change to awakening is a good one, even though it may represent an easier softer way. Also, I can understand the word others being replaced by alcoholics. After all, these are the folks that the program was originally designed to help. Now that there are so many variations of the types of problems the 12-steps help, it may be good to indicate the problem(s) that each iteration was formed to help. Personally, I truly believe that this program was given to us by God to help all human beings and all human problems. For the purpose of using our 12-steps, and specifically the 12th step, I believe the term others is much more appropriate.
In part one of using the 12 step in our daily lives, it is probably important that we distinguish between an experience and an awakening. It is important in the sense of when speaking with others and trying to explain the 12-steps, we tell folks that our connection to the Spirit can come in many forms. The only thing that we promote is an actual connection to our Spirit whatever way works for us. If we encounter someone that we can help, possibly by being open to share our experience, strength, and hope with them, it is important to share the idea of the Spirit, without any particular expectations of how it should work in them.
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