~ STEP ONE ~
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"Well begun is half done."
Aristotle
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The first time I took step one I knew
that I was beat. Because I knew that I
was beat, I knew I had to have help to
survive. I sought and accepted that help
in OA. I put the program into action. I
completed the twelve steps and tasted
recovery.
Over the years I have had to renew my
step one, and each time I was convinced
that I was not going to make it without
the help in program. That spurred me on
to complete the 12 steps many
times. Step one is essentially what made
me complete all twelve steps and go on
to a fuller and fuller life in
recovery. Without step one, there really
was no need or motivation for steps two
through twelve.
Recently I realized that step one is
particularly necessary to do step
twelve. I cannot help anyone without my
Higher Power. I cannot control another's
program. I cannot carry the message on
my own, nor can I practice the
principles in all my affairs by
myself. Step one -- my powerlessness and
my inability to manage -- is a great
blessing. It is what spurs me on to turn
to my Higher Power in all tasks great
and small; it is what helps me to gain
more and more ground in recovery.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will admit my powerlessness and my
inability to manage, then I will turn to
God Who will take me through my program
and my life - with His power and His
ability to manage.