What’s up family? Hope everyone is staying blessed and keeping our shared journey to sobriety strong. Today, I wanted to share something really dope with y’all. It’s a Table Top Display that breaks down the 12 Steps & 12 Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous. It’s been a big help to many of us in Cincinnati and I wanted to spread the love a little.
Step 1 - We admitted we were powerless over alcohol…
Now, I know we all know this one by heart but sometimes seeing it in writing can hit you different. This step was the first big one on my journey to sobriety and it wasn’t easy. But that relentless honesty and acceptance? Wooo, that was powerful.
Step 2 - Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves…
Believe in something bigger than ourselves? That was hard for me at first. But coming to terms with the fact that I don’t have all the answers and leaning on my Higher Power has been a life saver. Especially in those dark moments when the urge hits. We can’t do it alone.
Step 3 - Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
This step wasn’t easy either because it involved a lot of surrendering. But once I got over myself and let go? Whoo, it was a weight off my shoulders. And remember y’all, it says as we understood Him. Our understanding can shift and change and grow as we do.
Step 4 - Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
Now this one was intense. It meant digging deep and getting real with ourselves and our past. But it was absolutely essential. It means acknowledging our flaws, our wrongdoings, and our traumas so that we can heal from them and not repeat them.
Step 5 - Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
Shout out to all the sponsors out there because y’all are the MVPs of this step. This one was tough for me because it meant vulnerability and accountability. But once I finally did it, it lifted another weight off my shoulders. It’s like they say, secrets keep you sick.
Step 6 - Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
Another tough one because it meant confronting our flaws head on and being willing to let go of them. But y’all, the peace and growth that comes with doing this? It’s indescribable.
Step 7 - Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
This was all about humility and surrender. It meant acknowledging that we can’t do it alone and that we need help. It means trusting that our Higher Power has our back and that we’re worthy of the help.
Step 8 - Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
I can’t stress enough how important this step was for me. We don’t realize how much our actions and addiction can hurt the people around us. But taking ownership of that and the willingness to make things right? It’s life changing.
Step 9 - Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
This was the actual making things right part. It wasn’t easy but it was necessary. It meant accountability, vulnerability, and change.
Step 10 - Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
This was all about continuing the work we’ve done on ourselves and staying accountable and honest. It means check ins with ourselves, owning up to mistakes, and making things right.
Step 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.
This one was about continuing to use our Higher Power as a source of guidance and support. It means striving to understand our Higher Power better and praying for the strength and wisdom to do what we need to do on this journey.
Step 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.
And finally, this step is all about spreading the good word and supporting our people. We know the power of these steps and the help they can provide. Let’s share it and create a community of healing and growth.
So there y’all have it. The 12 Steps & 12 Traditions Table Top Display. This has helped me and many others along the way and I hope it can do the same for you. Stay blessed and always remember, we do this together.
