Ah, the challenge to truthfulness came up. A test for our honesty. But most had to admit that they came in as liars. Big time.
The 4th and 11th Steps were being talked about today. Someone was on the 4th and wanted to hear the experience of others. For instance, most admitted that fear is what drove most of our actions to take into the 5th. I mean, why did I lie? I was afraid. So it went with the confessions of dozens in the room today.
I could see why someone added the 11th. I don’t think the man asking for assistance got the message about prayer and meditation. I probably wouldn’t have, when I was where he was, either. But my sponsor and a lot of those old timers I knew suggested I get into the 10th and 11th Steps early on.The 10th they said would keep my house clean, while I was doing a housecleaning in the 4th and 5th, And, as they said, the 11th would give me a chance for a head start in the spiritual life.
I’m always glad, when we get a chance to go back through our history in our progression in these Steps. I feel refreshed, when we do. A reminder of the fact that nothing is perfect and that we’re really never done. It’s a process ongoing.
However, it was a moment, when we could all identify with one another. Drawing all of us closer, I believe. I noticed that many, who are often quick to leave, seemed to stay and hang around and talk after the meeting ended. Lot’s of laughs because it allowed all of us not to take ourselves so seriously.
I thought about all of this, when I got home. A great demonstration why those old timers were so insistent on keeping the 12 Steps as the subject of meetings, rather than the psychological, psychiatric, and meetings on aunts and cats. Love it when we talk about the program and how it works.