A lot of stuff came out today, as we talked about the Third Step. Mostly descriptions of peoples Higher Power or the God of their understanding. It reminded me of a couple of things in our literature, mainly the Third Tradition, the story in it about Ed, and what it says in Working With Others in the BB. The “new” alcoholic can believe or not believe. It’s up to them to choose whatever makes sense to them. They do not have to agree with anyone elses concepts. It’s their choice.
Whenever I share, I do not reveal anything, except the choice of the words a Higher Power or the God of my understanding. Nothing more.
In the Third Tradition it tells us this program is open to anyone, whether they believe in anything or not. That’s why one man in the Vicious Cycle in the BB insisted the the Third Step include the words God as we understand Him. I think he’s the same man described in Tradition Three.
With the 12 Steps, in my experience, I think anyone can get sober, who wants to. I have seen all kinds of people come in and get sober and stay sober by surrendering to the First Step and then doing the best they can with the rest of them. I’ve met atheists and agnostics, who are still sober. I’ve seen all kinds of other thoughts expressed to me and I’ve had no problem with them. If it works for them, it works, period.
However listening to a number of people today, who detailed their thoughts and beliefs, I felt that they were in violation of what it says in the BB in Working With Others. We’re not here to convince anyone of our personal creeds. The book tells us it’s the new person’s choice, as long as it makes sense to them. Like one woman I know, who started with a tree as her Higher Power and now has a God of her “misunderstanding”. Works for her.
I guess it’s time for me to give up and get out of my “argument” with me. I can forget that other people’s business is their business and not mine. So, I’ll stop my “preaching” to myself and give up. After all my only responsibility is to stay sober a day at a time. My primary purpose. I think I’ll let others go free to do as they will and mind my own business. It makes my life a lot easier.