{Written Jan 21st 2011} 12 Step Living

We are in the essence a society within a society. We learn through the 12 step process to be responsible, productive members of society. The process of recovery allows us to practice within our safety at our recovery meetings and through service, a new skill set hat requires patience, tolerance, compassion, and a host of other spiritual principals. Learning that my way is not the only way and that I can practice the art of listening are very useful tools. We develope it first in meetings as we "listen" to others share.

We also listen when we are in our group business meetings, area or regional service or one on one with someone at the coffee pot. These new skills follow us out to our jobs, with our families, and in interactions with those outside the fellowship. It allows us to virtually undetectable among those not in recovery but, respected for our honesty and integrityin situations that many not in recovery would handle quite differently.

Webring to the world our experience, strength and hope in a way that compliments society and enhances the world around us. We bring forgiveness to a world that is often unkind and love for all creation around us. Living a 12 step makes us aware of lifes small pleasures like a fallen leaf, a grasshopper in the sun, a full moon, a beautiful pond with its ripples or a snowflake on a pane of glass. The things that we never noticed or took for granted when we were spiritually dead, now play a major roll in our lives. Our gratitude speaks in volumes when we care and share the 12 step way.