Thought for today:

Whenever anyone shows up at meetings they seem to get exactly what they need. An old-timer will share their story and be reminded of what works. For perhaps the first time, a newcomer will hear a sane answer to the puzzling paradox of debt and living beyond their means. That’s how Step Twelve works.

Step Twelve: “Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to other compulsive debtors, to practice these principles in all our affairs.”

Many of us DAs who have found recovery enjoy helping others new to DA. After all, our isolation has come to an end! We want to share our new attitude about life. It also helps that our very solvency depends on extending the helping hand of DA to the newcomer, who needs our help as only another recovering debtor can give.

Do I show up at meetings with a welcoming attitude toward the newcomer? Do I listen with kindness, patiently waiting for the opportunity to say something of value? Am I willing to sponsor them on their journey in DA?

Meditation for today:

As we let go of pride and share from our experience, strength and hope, our recovery flourishes and we are freed of self-pity and despair. And in doing so we sometimes don’t know the effect we have on the other person until much later. The spirit does its work on its own schedule. All we have to do is show up and be willing.

Affirmation for today:

Our group is perfectly suited to us today. Whoever needs help is here tonight, and is benefiting beyond imagination.

Prayer for today:

God, of myself, I have no words of wisdom. It is you that inspire and you that heals my broken spirit. Help me to carry the message of sanity and recovery to a world that needs it.

Further Reading:

The book Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions is the definitive guide to all the Steps and Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous.  It brings an in-depth understanding of why and how the program of recovery evolved, and how it works to this day, over sixty years after it was first published.

DA adapted the short form of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions almost word for word (with AA’s permission) and to this day DA recommends we read AA literature, (including the “Twelve and Twelve“) as a way for us to understand the disease concept.

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