Anyone for the Steps?
The SA conference in San Diego gave me a strong sense of fellowship and a great hope for our future in recovery and growth. Something that struck me, however, was an experience which brought some questions to mind regarding our commitment to the Twelve Steps as an ongoing foundation for recovery.
Throughout the course of the conference, numerous “break-out” meetings were offered with subjects ranging from boundaries, intimacy and couples’ recovery, to First Steps and other Steps. I decided to attend a meeting that had the Tenth Step as its focus. To my surprise and dismay, I was the only person to go to that room. So, we combined that meeting with a Step Six through Nine meeting, and there were about eight of us in that room.
Imagine, over 200 people at the conference and only eight interested in discussing Steps Six through Ten! It was a powerful meeting, for me, and I learned a lot, even though Step Ten never really came up. Discussing the Steps, and how they are working in our lives, is the rock upon which all other SA and S-Anon experience sits. Yes, we need to share our pain and to grieve, but we also need to grow as a result of working these principles called the Twelve Steps.
My recovery process is a miracle which has come about as a result of working the Steps, going to meetings, and using the phone (especially when I am overcome with lust). I need to hear about the success of others who have worked the Steps and have made them a part of their lives. And, I need to share my victories of overcoming lust, one day at a time, as a result of working the Steps and “practicing these principles in all my affairs.”
Anonymous
Principles Before Personalities
In the December 1991 issue of Essay, I was disturbed that you allowed the following line into print: “We are firmly pro-California and Roy K. on the sobriety definition issue.” I believe this was inappropriate for the following reasons: Using a person’s name introduces “personalities over principles.” Secondly, no one person speaks for SA. And finally, printing such a statement keeps the fires of discord and controversy burning.
J.R.
