Principles of the 12 Steps
Spiritual principles represented by the 12 Steps
Author: Anonymous
Grateful member of Al-Anon
Prayer
I prayed for 20 years and received no answer, until I prayed with my legs. — Frederick Douglass
Words, words, words
The more words you use, the less value each word has. — JTWB
Group Conscience
God is in the group consciences that I agree with, and God is in the group consciences that I don’t agree with.
Advice
Not Conference-Approved, but I like it.
Are You Listening?
To listen attentively to someone’s perspective without arguing or trying to change their mind shows a willingness to connect. — Amy Erez
A Sophisticated Scam?
There is a program called Al-Anon that is helpful for anyone who is worried about someone with a drinking problem. There are people with drinking problems and people without drinking problems in Al-Anon. The only criteria really is that you … Continue reading “A Sophisticated Scam?” →
How I Got Off the Clown Train
My Decision to get off the Train By Brenda W., California June, 2012 Reprinted with permission of The Forum, Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., Virginia Beach, VA. When I was four or five, my mother put me on a train, the kind … Continue reading “How I Got Off the Clown Train” →
Got Bread?
The reading in Courage to Change for January 2 reminds us that “Turning to an alcoholic for affection and support is like going to a hardware store for bread.” It explains that “While our loved ones may not meet our … Continue reading “Got Bread?” →
New Year’s Resolution
I’m ready for new experiences that I don’t need to heal from.
Every Day
If you need to quickly lift your spirit, this video might do the trick to dig your way out. Give it a try.
Spiritual not religious
“Al‑Anon is not allied with any sect or denomination. It is a spiritual program, based on no particular form of religion.” — from the pamphlet Alcoholism, the Family Disease © Al‑Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., Virginia, 2005. Good quote, source … Continue reading “Spiritual not religious” →
Who gets the cheese?
This is a new one I heard recently, and it explains why Progress Not Perfection and PAUSE are important. The early bird gets the worm …
The 4th C
I’ve heard various versions of a fourth “C” for Al-Anon’s three Cs. This is my favorite so far: I didn’t Cause it, I can’t Cure it, and I can’t Control it, but I have Choices.
Strength
My dark days made me strong. Or maybe I already was strong, and they made me prove it. — quote featured on the app Today’s Hope
On Time
The only meeting you are late to is your first one. — Heard in a meeting
A Special Word
The Al-Anon books In All Our Affairs, From Survival to Recovery, and How Al-Anon Works all have a page on “A Special Word to Anyone Confronted with Violence.” One of the statements is: It is not necessary to decide how … Continue reading “A Special Word” →
Letter from the Alcoholic
The letter from the alcoholic is a classic and useful piece of Al-Anon literature, from the pamphlet “Three Views of Alcoholism” (P-15). An excerpt is Don’t let me provoke your anger. If you attack me verbally or physically, you will … Continue reading “Letter from the Alcoholic” →
FEAR
There’s always another acronym: A new one recently heard is FEAR = Frantic Effort to Assume Responsibility. Read more acronyms here
Exclusive
To join Alcoholics Anonymous, you just need a desire to stop drinking. To join Al-Anon, you have to know someone.