Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions

Step Three - "Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to
the care of God (HP)* as we understood Him."

Then it is explained that other Steps of the A.A. program can be
practiced with success only when Step Three is given a determined
and persistent trial. This statement may surprise newcomers who have
experienced nothing but constant deflation and a growing conviction
that human will is of no value whatever. They have become persuaded,
and rightly so, that many problems besides alcohol will not yield to
a headlong assault powered by the individual alone. But now it
appears that there are certain things which only the individual can
do. All by himself, and in the light of his own circumstances, he
needs to develop the quality of willingness. When he acquires
willingness, he is the only one who can make the decision to exert
himself. Trying to do this is an act of his own will. All of the
Twelve Steps require sustained and personal exertion to conform to
their principles and so, we trust, to God's(HP)* will.

p. 40

************************************************** ********

* my addition

" rosie readandpost" <readandpost@yahooORhotmail.com> wrote in message
news:LT6fd.6014$ye4.4545@twister.rdc-kc.rr.com...
> Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions
>
> Step Three - "Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to
> the care of God (HP)* as we understood Him."
>
> Then it is explained that other Steps of the A.A. program can be
> practiced with success only when Step Three is given a determined
> and persistent trial. This statement may surprise newcomers who have
> experienced nothing but constant deflation and a growing conviction
> that human will is of no value whatever. They have become persuaded,
> and rightly so, that many problems besides alcohol will not yield to
> a headlong assault powered by the individual alone. But now it
> appears that there are certain things which only the individual can
> do. All by himself, and in the light of his own circumstances, he
> needs to develop the quality of willingness. When he acquires
> willingness, he is the only one who can make the decision to exert
> himself. Trying to do this is an act of his own will. All of the
> Twelve Steps require sustained and personal exertion to conform to
> their principles and so, we trust, to God's(HP)* will.
>
> p. 40
>
> ************************************************** ********
>
> * my addition
>

For me and (I have to come to learn for) many others, this was only our
decision to attempt to complete the rest of the steps. I am still no model
of sainthood, nor do I expect to be anytime in the near or far future, but
one day not too long ago, I did become willing to try this thing and see if
it worked. I became willing to really make the effort. Hell, if these
other folks here could do this, then so could I. So I may the decision,
just to try to do this to best of my ability -- one day at a time... one
step at a time... sometimes one "ten minutes" at a time...

I don't know that at first I commited to really getting sober.... but I did
commit to those alcoholics who held me up those first few days.... I have
come to learn that is all many of us did.

Bobby L

"Bobby L" <BobbyL2000spam@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:Hnifd.43053$mn5.24345@bignews5.bellsouth.net. ..
>
> " rosie readandpost" <readandpost@yahooORhotmail.com> wrote in
> message
> news:LT6fd.6014$ye4.4545@twister.rdc-kc.rr.com...
>> Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions
>>
>> Step Three - "Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over
>> to
>> the care of God (HP)* as we understood Him."
>>
>> Then it is explained that other Steps of the A.A. program can be
>> practiced with success only when Step Three is given a determined
>> and persistent trial. This statement may surprise newcomers who
>> have
>> experienced nothing but constant deflation and a growing
>> conviction
>> that human will is of no value whatever. They have become
>> persuaded,
>> and rightly so, that many problems besides alcohol will not yield
>> to
>> a headlong assault powered by the individual alone. But now it
>> appears that there are certain things which only the individual
>> can
>> do. All by himself, and in the light of his own circumstances, he
>> needs to develop the quality of willingness. When he acquires
>> willingness, he is the only one who can make the decision to exert
>> himself. Trying to do this is an act of his own will. All of the
>> Twelve Steps require sustained and personal exertion to conform to
>> their principles and so, we trust, to God's(HP)* will.
>>
>> p. 40
>>
>> ************************************************** ********
>>
>> * my addition
>>
>
> For me and (I have to come to learn for) many others, this was only
> our
> decision to attempt to complete the rest of the steps. I am still
> no model
> of sainthood, nor do I expect to be anytime in the near or far
> future, but
> one day not too long ago, I did become willing to try this thing
> and see if
> it worked. I became willing to really make the effort. Hell, if
> these
> other folks here could do this, then so could I. So I may the
> decision,
> just to try to do this to best of my ability -- one day at a
> time... one
> step at a time... sometimes one "ten minutes" at a time...
>
> I don't know that at first I commited to really getting sober....
> but I did
> commit to those alcoholics who held me up those first few days....
> I have
> come to learn that is all many of us did.
>

Seems that most AA members share all sorts of weird rationalisations
for evading step three. Purporting to deify other members seems a
popular one.

Bob

"I found that I had to exert every ounce of will and action to cut
off these faulty emotional dependencies upon people, upon AA, indeed,
upon any set of circumstances whatsoever. Then only could I be
free" - Bill Wilson AA Grapevine, January 1958

"Robert McGregor" <robert_mcgregor@yahoo.com.au> wrote in message
news:2u5vqcF27canbU1@uni-berlin.de...

> > " rosie readandpost" <readandpost@yahooORhotmail.com> wrote in
> > message
> > news:LT6fd.6014$ye4.4545@twister.rdc-kc.rr.com...
> >> Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions
> >>
> >> Step Three - "Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over
> >> to
> >> the care of God (HP)* as we understood Him."

> >> ************************************************** ********

> Seems that most AA members share all sorts of weird rationalisations
> for evading step three. Purporting to deify other members seems a
> popular one.
>
> Bob
>
> "I found that I had to exert every ounce of will and action to cut
> off these faulty emotional dependencies upon people, upon AA,
indeed,
> upon any set of circumstances whatsoever. Then only could I be
> free" - Bill Wilson AA Grapevine, January 1958
>
Maybe pages 60 - 63 of the BB will prove helpful to those seeking info
on who the God referred to in Step 3 is and also on how having such a
God in one's life can be beneficial:

" (b) ......... probably no human power could have relieved our
alcoholism.
(c) That God could and would if He were sought.

......... we decided to turn our will and our life over to God as we
understand him. Just what do we mean by that and just what do we do ?

........ we had to quit playing God....... Next, we decided that
hereafter in this drama of life, God was going to be our
Director......... this concept was the keystone of the new and
triumphant arch through which we passed to freedom.

When we sincerely took such a position, all sorts of remarkable things
followed............... as we discovered we could face life
successfully, as we became conscious of His presence, we began to lose
our fear of today, tomorrow or the hereafter."

Those interested in views of where this "God" may be found, will find
one on pages 569-70 of the BB..

JB

"JB" <JBCatRB@coldman.com> wrote in message
news:cll8vq$735$1@news8.svr.pol.co.uk...
>
> "Robert McGregor" <robert_mcgregor@yahoo.com.au> wrote in message
> news:2u5vqcF27canbU1@uni-berlin.de...
>
>> > " rosie readandpost" <readandpost@yahooORhotmail.com> wrote in
>> > message
>> > news:LT6fd.6014$ye4.4545@twister.rdc-kc.rr.com...
>> >> Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions
>> >>
>> >> Step Three - "Made a decision to turn our will and our lives
>> >> over
>> >> to
>> >> the care of God (HP)* as we understood Him."
>
>> >> ************************************************** ********
>
>> Seems that most AA members share all sorts of weird
>> rationalisations
>> for evading step three. Purporting to deify other members seems a
>> popular one.
>>
>> Bob
>>
>> "I found that I had to exert every ounce of will and action to cut
>> off these faulty emotional dependencies upon people, upon AA,
> indeed,
>> upon any set of circumstances whatsoever. Then only could I be
>> free" - Bill Wilson AA Grapevine, January 1958
>>
> Maybe pages 60 - 63 of the BB will prove helpful to those seeking
> info
> on who the God referred to in Step 3 is and also on how having such
> a
> God in one's life can be beneficial:
>
> " (b) ......... probably no human power could have relieved our
> alcoholism.
> (c) That God could and would if He were sought.
>
> ........ we decided to turn our will and our life over to God as we
> understand him. Just what do we mean by that and just what do we
> do ?
>
> ....... we had to quit playing God....... Next, we decided that
> hereafter in this drama of life, God was going to be our
> Director......... this concept was the keystone of the new and
> triumphant arch through which we passed to freedom.
>
> When we sincerely took such a position, all sorts of remarkable
> things
> followed............... as we discovered we could face life
> successfully, as we became conscious of His presence, we began to
> lose
> our fear of today, tomorrow or the hereafter."
>
> Those interested in views of where this "God" may be found, will
> find
> one on pages 569-70 of the BB..
>

To the contrary, AA is explicit as to the *only* place He may be
found.

http://tinyurl.com/26abz
"We found the Great Reality deep down within us. In the last analysis
it is only there that He may be found. It was so with us. "

Bob

"Bobby L" <BobbyL2000spam@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:Hnifd.43053$mn5.24345@bignews5.bellsouth.net. ..

: For me and (I have to come to learn for) many others, this was
only our
: decision to attempt to complete the rest of the steps.

i remember FINALLY understanding the importance of STEP THREE, when
it "dawned" on me, that i was NOT alone, i was NOT different and
that sobriety WOULD work for me too!

i remember hearing an old-timer saying that prior to his sobriety
date, his alcoholism was not his fault and that we should all
forgive ourselves for having this disease.
that we were "chosen" to have this disease and if we stayed sober
the reason why would be revealed.

it became so very clear that my HP had a road for me to take, and
all i had to do, was take it ODAAT!

i know that i am probably not expressing myself very well here,
writing is not my forte', so excuse me in advance, and try to
understand that even after all these years, i remain blessed and
excited by the journey.

rosie

"Robert McGregor" <robert_mcgregor@yahoo.com.au> wrote in message
news:2u6qopF25nvusU1@uni-berlin.de...
> "JB" <JBCatRB@coldman.com> wrote in message
> news:cll8vq$735$1@news8.svr.pol.co.uk...
> >
> > "Robert McGregor" <robert_mcgregor@yahoo.com.au> wrote in message
> > news:2u5vqcF27canbU1@uni-berlin.de...
> >
> >> > " rosie readandpost" <readandpost@yahooORhotmail.com> wrote in
> >> > message
> >> > news:LT6fd.6014$ye4.4545@twister.rdc-kc.rr.com...
> >> >> Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions
> >> >>
> >> >> Step Three - "Made a decision to turn our will and our lives
> >> >> over
> >> >> to
> >> >> the care of God (HP)* as we understood Him."
> >
> >> >> ************************************************** ********
> >
> >> Seems that most AA members share all sorts of weird
> >> rationalisations
> >> for evading step three. Purporting to deify other members seems a
> >> popular one.
> >>
> >> Bob
> >>
> >> "I found that I had to exert every ounce of will and action to
cut
> >> off these faulty emotional dependencies upon people, upon AA,
> > indeed,
> >> upon any set of circumstances whatsoever. Then only could I be
> >> free" - Bill Wilson AA Grapevine, January 1958
> >>
> > Maybe pages 60 - 63 of the BB will prove helpful to those seeking
> > info
> > on who the God referred to in Step 3 is and also on how having
such
> > a
> > God in one's life can be beneficial:
> >
> > " (b) ......... probably no human power could have relieved our
> > alcoholism.
> > (c) That God could and would if He were sought.
> >
> > ........ we decided to turn our will and our life over to God as
we
> > understand him. Just what do we mean by that and just what do we
> > do ?
> >
> > ....... we had to quit playing God....... Next, we decided that
> > hereafter in this drama of life, God was going to be our
> > Director......... this concept was the keystone of the new and
> > triumphant arch through which we passed to freedom.
> >
> > When we sincerely took such a position, all sorts of remarkable
> > things
> > followed............... as we discovered we could face life
> > successfully, as we became conscious of His presence, we began to
> > lose
> > our fear of today, tomorrow or the hereafter."
> >
> > Those interested in views of where this "God" may be found, will
> > find
> > one on pages 569-70 of the BB..
> >
>
> To the contrary, AA is explicit as to the *only* place He may be
> found.
>
> http://tinyurl.com/26abz
> "We found the Great Reality deep down within us. In the last
analysis
> it is only there that He may be found. It was so with us. "
>
> Bob
>
I do not disagree with the view that "God" lives deep inside
individuals nor with the idea that AA's 12 Step programme can help
those who work it find the "God" *of their understanding*.

The words on pages 569-70 that I was thinking about as I wrote my post
were:

"He finally realises that he has undergone a profound alteration in
his reaction to life; that such a change could hardly have been
brought about by himself alone.

With few exceptions, our members find that they have tapped an
unsuspected inner resource which they presently identify with their
own conception of a Power greater than themselves.

Most of us think this awareness of a power greater than ourselves is
the essence of spiritual experience"

ATB

JB

"JB" <JBCatRB@coldman.com> wrote in message
news:cllgcc$rmc$1@news6.svr.pol.co.uk...

Bob wrote:

"............ AA is explicit as to the *only* place He may be
> > found.
> >
> > http://tinyurl.com/26abz
> > "We found the Great Reality deep down within us. In the last
> analysis
> > it is only there that He may be found. It was so with us. "
> >
> > Bob
> >
> I do not disagree with the view that "God" lives deep inside
> individuals nor with the idea that AA's 12 Step programme can help
> those who work it find the "God" *of their understanding*.
>
> The words on pages 569-70 that I was thinking about as I wrote my
post
> were:
>
> "He finally realises that he has undergone a profound alteration in
> his reaction to life; that such a change could hardly have been
> brought about by himself alone.
>
> With few exceptions, our members find that they have tapped an
> unsuspected inner resource which they presently identify with their
> own conception of a Power greater than themselves.
>
> Most of us think this awareness of a power greater than ourselves is
> the essence of spiritual experience"
>
> ATB
>
> JB
>
PS: I think it worthwhile mentioning that immediately after the final
sentence I've quoted comes this:

"Our more religious members call it "God-consciousness".
(BB, page 570)

JB