Mark S

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Check out this episode!

Our generous Recovered Podcast Community allows us to be self supporting and not rely on outside contributions.  If you would like to join us, there are two ways.

1. Episode Sponsorship  We will recognize you by first name only at the top, mid, and end of the episode.  Any amount will qualify.
2. Premium Membership  This is the single most effective way to support the show.  Watch the video in its entirety and learn how to become Premium

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In this episode we will cover Step 3. So, listener, we may use some language that may make you feel uncomfortable. We will probably use the word God which may be offensive to some of you. I understand this and I want to be sensitive to your needs and

i don’t want MY understanding of a higher power get in the way of YOUR recovery.

So when you hear me use the word God, maybe try to substitute a concept that maybe more palatable for you, such as Higher Power, the AA group, Spirit of the Universe, whatever concept of a
power greater than you
that is acceptable for you.
Just make sure your higher power in NOT you.

With the first step, we accepted the fundamental problem we face as alcoholics, our powerlessness over alcohol and the unmanageability of our lives.
In the second step, we found the nature of our solution: a Power greater than ourselves who could restore us to sanity.
In the third step, we discover how to make use of that solution by turning our will and our lives over to the care of that power.

Step 3 has been summarized as:
I can’t, God can, I think I’ll let him

The 12 and 12 says,
“… the effectiveness of the whole AA program will rest upon how well and earnestly we have tried to come to a decision to turn our will and our lives
over to the care of God as we understood him.” Steps 1, 2, and 3 are the foundation of our program.

Sounds important, let’s discuss.

Let’s go to you first ?,
What is first to mind on this topic?
where do you want to start?

What does it mean to you to make a decision?
What does the phrase “God as we understood him” mean to you?
What is your concept of your higher power?
What does it mean to turn ‘our will and lives over to the care of God” to you?

What does Self Will mean to you?
What is the difference between a life run on self-will and a life that follows a Higher Power’s will?
What is the difference between Willpower and Self Will?
How well as self-will served you?

What does “self-centeredness is the root of our troubles” mean to you?

Third step prayer
“God, I offer myself to Thee-to build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of life. May I do Thy will always!

Your thoughts

What is a recent example of exercising self-will rather than following your Higher Power’s will?
How can you know God’s will?

The principal in Step 3 is faith.
What does faith mean to you?

How does prayer and meditation help you discover your Higher Power’s will?
How is humility different than humiliation?

What reservations have you had about turning your will over to the care of a higher power?
Is recovery Your Higher Power’s will for you? How do you know?

After you have turned something over to your higher power, have you ever decided to take it back? Explain.

What prayers do you use to get/stay centered in times of difficulty?

We Have Calls

Mike from FLA
https://www.speakpipe.com/messages

Zach emailed this in
http://drivetts.ehubsoft.net/

Andrew from Colorado
https://www.speakpipe.com/messages

Meredith from Cleveland
https://www.speakpipe.com/messages

Check out this episode!

Our generous Recovered Podcast Community allows us to be self supporting and not rely on outside contributions.  If you would like to join us, there are two ways.

1. Episode Sponsorship  We will recognize you by first name only at the top, mid, and end of the episode.  Any amount will qualify.
2. Premium Membership  This is the single most effective way to support the show.  Watch the video in its entirety and learn how to become Premium

Call and leave a message and become part of the show

http://recoveredcast.com/speakpipe

Check out this episode!

Our generous Recovered Podcast Community allows us to be self supporting and not rely on outside contributions.  If you would like to join us, there are two ways.

1. Episode Sponsorship  We will recognize you by first name only at the top, mid, and end of the episode.  Any amount will qualify.
2. Premium Membership  This is the single most effective way to support the show.  Watch the video in its entirety and learn how to become Premium

Call Us Now  http://recoveredcast.com/speakpipe

Facing addiction squarely and joining a 12 step program to become whole again takes a tremendous commitment ? of time, energy, and determination. You learn about addiction, triggers, how to overcome cravings, how to prevent relapse ? in short, you gain an entire toolkit of handy strategies and techniques to help you in recovery. When you start working steps and attend meetings, all should be perfect, right? It doesn’t quite turn out that way. There’s still a lot of hard work ahead.
One key element that will further your progress is forgiveness ? a big part of recovery.

First to mind?

When you were new,
did you think forgiveness was a part of recovery?
Did you need to forgive and who?
Did you think you deserved to be forgiven and by who?

Can you forgive someone without that person asking for it?

Does forgiving mean condoning?
What does the expression forgive and forget mean to you?

Have you ever asked for forgiveness?
Have you ever expected forgiveness because of your sobriety?

Have you ever forgiven police/judge?

What step made you face the necessity of forgiveness?
What about your higher power, did you think you needed forgiveness here?
Did you ever ponder forgiving your higher power?

What did you learn about forgiveness?
Was forgiveness important in early sobriety?

Have you ever had to forgive the fellowship/homegroup?
Have you ever had to forgive your sponsor?
How about your sponsee?

Have you ever not wanted to forgive someone?
Were you ever afraid to forgive someone?

Have you forgiven yourself?

Have you ever forgiven someone just in your head?
Have you ever forgiven someone anonymously?
Have you ever forgiven someone face to face with them asking for it?
Have you ever written to someone forgiving them?
Have you ever forgiven someone who has passed away?

What does a “clean slate” mean to you?

IS there anyone you still need to forgive?

We Have Calls

Clyde
https://www.speakpipe.com/messages

Don
https://www.speakpipe.com/messages

Mike in Florida
https://www.speakpipe.com/messages

Mandy
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/161585dfcc64fc24

Check out this episode!

Our generous Recovered Podcast Community allows us to be self supporting and not rely on outside contributions.  If you would like to join us, there are two ways.

1. Episode Sponsorship  We will recognize you by first name only at the top, mid, and end of the episode.  Any amount will qualify.
2. Premium Membership  This is the single most effective way to support the show.  Watch the video in its entirety and learn how to become Premium

Call and leave a message and become part of the show

http://recoveredcast.com/speakpipe

Check out this episode!

Our generous Recovered Podcast Community allows us to be self supporting and not rely on outside contributions.  If you would like to join us, there are two ways.

1. Episode Sponsorship  We will recognize you by first name only at the top, mid, and end of the episode.  Any amount will qualify.
2. Premium Membership  This is the single most effective way to support the show.  Watch the video in its entirety and learn how to become Premium

Call Us Now  http://recoveredcast.com/speakpipe

If people do not have a strong desire for sobriety, it will be hard for them to maintain it. It is possible for the individual to get sober to please other people, but such recoveries tend to be short-lived. This is because staying away from alcohol and drugs is hard if people are not fully willing to do all that it takes. Those who lack willingness will not be able to summon the necessary determination.

Willingness can be defined as being eagerly compliant. For me, Willingness means embracing change rather than fighting it.

It is not possible for people to find success in recovery unless they are willing to put in the necessary effort. In order for recovery to take hold, there needs to be a powerful driving force supporting it. This power is provided by the willingness to change.

First to mind?

How willing were you the first time you came into AA?
Why or why not?
Is there a relationship between willingness and desperation?
The expression, “the gift of desperation”, what does that mean?

Have you ever tried to get clean for someone else?
How did that work?

Did you ever experience the desire to get clean and have a desire to keep using at the same time?

What about expectations and willingness? Is there a relationship?
What is the problem with too high of expectation?
How about too low of expectation?

What were your expectations of AA?

How can a pink cloud be dangerous?
Is a pink cloud a bad thing?

What about the steps and willingness?
What slogan speaks to you about willingness?
What prayer helps with willingness?
What tradition helps your willingness?

What would you say to the new guy?

Calls

Andrew Hayden
https://www.speakpipe.com/messages

Meredith
https://www.speakpipe.com/messages

Mike from Celebration
https://www.speakpipe.com/messages

Alex
https://www.speakpipe.com/messages

Meredith
https://www.speakpipe.com/messages

Check out this episode!

Our generous Recovered Podcast Community allows us to be self supporting and not rely on outside contributions.  If you would like to join us, there are two ways.

1. Episode Sponsorship  We will recognize you by first name only at the top, mid, and end of the episode.  Any amount will qualify.
2. Premium Membership  This is the single most effective way to support the show.  Watch the video in its entirety and learn how to become Premium

Call and leave a message and become part of the show

http://recoveredcast.com/speakpipe

Check out this episode!

Tuesday Night, the Recovery Topic is “Willingness.”

If people do not have a strong desire for sobriety, it will be hard for them to maintain it. It is possible for the individual to get sober to please other people, but such recoveries tend to be short-lived. This is because staying away from alcohol and drugs is hard if people are not fully willing to do all that it takes. In order to build a successful life away from alcohol and drugs, the individual needs to be prepared to put in a great deal of effort. Those who lack willingness will not be able to summon the necessary determination.

Let’s talk about this solution. Tap Speakpipe (preferred because the sound quality is excellent. Use this method especially if you are outside the Unites States) or call 1-734-288-7510 and answer the following question(s):

How willing were you the first time you came into AA?
Is there a relationship between willingness and desperation?
Have you ever tried to get clean for someone else?
How did that work?

Recovered Podcast is live online every Tuesday at 6:30 pm EST as we record the show. Join the fun and be part of the show.
If you would like to listen to the live stream of the show, just tap Recovered Chat and Live Stream.

Click on our Show Notes we will use.

Our generous Recovered Podcast Community allows us to be self supporting and not rely on outside contributions.  If you would like to join us, there are two ways.

1. Episode Sponsorship  We will recognize you by first name only at the top, mid, and end of the episode.  Any amount will qualify.
2. Premium Membership  This is the single most effective way to support the show.  Watch the video in its entirety and learn how to become Premium

Call Us Now  http://recoveredcast.com/speakpipe

Tradition One states:

Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity.

Sue, from my home group provided this from NA’s Basic Text on Unity.

The second Legacy,  Unity (Body) suggests we join a homegroup and participate in the meetings.  In early sobriety, meetings and fellowship with recovered alcoholics can help to keep a newcomer sober until they have completed their steps.  

More importantly, the group and its members are responsible for making sure that the door to the meeting is open and there for the newcomer.

What does unity mean go you?

Why is AA Unity important?

How has unity helped your recovery?

@ Mark…I think that AA Unity, when related to group conscious, means doing what is best for the group and not what is necessarily best for me. I did not get very far by getting my way all the time

Do you have a group that you are committed to and involved with?  

Do you participate Group Conscious meetings?

Do you follow the 12 Traditions?

Unity asks me to practice acceptance when the group conscience goes against

AA Unity does not mean harmony.

What is the difference between unity and harmony?

How can a group not have harmony yet have unity?

How can a group make mistakes, make wrong decisions, yet still have unity?

How can you contribute to AA unity?

How can you have unity with someone you don’t like?

What would you say to the new guy?

Check out this episode!