Progress
No one among us has been able to maintain anything like perfect adherence
to these principles. We are not saints.
The point is, that we are willing to grow along spiritual lines.
The principles we have set down are guides to progress.
We claim spiritual progress rather than spiritual perfection.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 60
(Source: lahacienda.com)
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Step Two -The Solution.
Came to Believe a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Step Two is specifically designed for the mental obsession. I, in and of myself , cannot remove an obsession.
The word “believe “is a verb. There is an action. Believe means “to allow”. I am restored to sanity as a result of allowing something into my consciousness other than my own insane thinking and feeling.
I find it intriguing that right after I identify the problem in Step One, no control, no choice, no power and my need for God, comes this simple solution.
A Power Greater than myself that can restore me to my right mind. There are only two questions I have to answer, “am I willingness to believe there is a power greater than me “and “ is this Power all or nothing? “I don’t even have to have an idea about what this power is other than is be loving and caring.
It started with my willingness to reach out and practice the rigorous honesty in the First Step. I had to get out of my head and into action. I have to be willing to let someone else know exactly what I am thinking and feeling. This meant I had to talk about what was really on my mind and heart. I had to be willing to be vulnerable.
This simple action saved me from going back to using and drinking time and again when the obsession was so intense , I could not imagine it could ever be silenced. Without exception every time I reached out for help, I received it. I called women at 1,2,3,4 o’clock in the morning and they all got up and talked to me. They each said the strangest thing; that I had helped them more than they had helped me. This was a clear demonstration of this Power working through others to help me stay sober although I did not recognize it at the time.
This Power continued to lead me as I went to meetings and heard exactly what I needed to hear at the precise moment I needed to hear it.
As I worked through the all the steps , I became more conscious of this Power, my self and you. I came to understand the intrinsic connection between us all.
The Second Step tells me I cannot do Recovery alone . I don’t have to figure anything out, I can begin to have an experience with this awesome Power that keeps me sober, gives me a new life and reveals more and more truth as I become more teachable and place more reliance on God than self.
Charlotte Safir
Christopher James Daniel, MA, LPC is a former employee of La Hacienda and has written an incredibly easy to read book on the disease of addiction.
The disease of Addiction presents with a complex array of physical, emotional, spiritual and psychological problems. Christopher James Daniel’s book gives a clear and concise understanding of how all of these problems are related and more importantly, how to cope with the disease. If you or a loved one have this disease, this book is well worth the short time it takes to read and has a potential to change your life.
Daniel Boone, MD
Medical Director
La Hacienda Treatment Center
Although the definition of “recovery” seems so obvious to some of us, there are many different ideas about exactly what “recovery” should mean. Go to “What is Recovery”, http://www.whatisrecovery.org/to learn more about this project. The goal for this research is to learn how people experience and define recovery. The researchers want OUR input…they want to know how WE, people in recovery, define the life that we are now living. This has never been done before!
Over 2000 people have already completed the 20 minute online survey. The researchers would like to have 12,000 completed surveys by October 2012. Be part of the conversation and give your input!
(Source: lahacienda.com)
Some Facts You Just Can’t Argue With:
SOURCE: Unless otherwise specified: “Marijuana Myths & Facts: The Truth Behind Popular Misperceptions.” ONDCP and NIDA
(Source: checkyourself.com)
Judy from the store trying to make an unfortunate situation - a fire drill in 100 degree heat - a bit better with refreshments! For sale of course :)