Working Step 2

Working Step 2 - Came to believe a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

This is right from the book, "Paths to Recovery";

"Whatever our faith or beliefs, whatever our definition of God or Higher Power we begin to desire increased sanity for ourselves."

In Step 1 we learned we are powerless over alcohol. In Step 1 we also learn we are powerless over the other things in our lives that we have tried to manage. We have tried to manage the impossible and our lives have become frustrating, tiring, and unmanageable.

Only through the first three steps can we learn to practice the art of turning things over to a power higher than ourselves. We learn that in order for us to regain some sanity in our lives, that we can rely on God or a Higher Power to help us through the hardest of days, and that we are not alone to carry burdens too big for us.

This learning to give up, to release, to ask for help, to "let go and let God," is very, very difficult for many of us since we are used to shouldering the responsibilities of many and specifically, those who may be our qualifiers in our lives.

But we must learn to let go and seek help from a power greater than ourselves. I have personally learned this, and never thought I would seek out God for help. And I can tell you that God answered in my times of need. For this and other things, I am extremely grateful.

Here are some suggestion from Paths to Recovery that may help you in your hours of need;

• Say the Serenity Prayer every morning and evening when we feel overwhelmed. [I know many people who say the Serenity Prayer several times a day.]
• Meditate on "God, grant me the serenity," one word at a time.
• Being still and asking for help whenever a situation seems too much to take.
• Recognizing sane behavior and acknowledging it. Taking notice of small miracles - a bright eyed child, a bounding puppy, a friend's call just when it's needed. [this last one - the phone call - has happened to me quite a bit]
• Acting as if we have faith. Being still and asking for guidance, then going about the day's business assuming it will come.
• Laughing; trying to remember some funny occurrence to share at a meeting.
• Making a list of the things beyond our understanding that have happened in life that might suggest the existence of a Higher Power. [this is one I need to work]

The family disease is affects the family. We are not immune. But we can get inoculation shots or boosters, reach out to others, do not isolate. Do not obsess with the thoughts running around in your head. Try to stay out of your head and do something productive. And when times get tough, go to a meeting, call your sponsor, get out the phone list and talk things out.

Good luck this fine day.