The 12th Step Awakening

The original AA steps read, "Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to OTHERS and to practice these principles in all our affairs." For those who stick with recovery long enough, there comes a time when we realize that the steps are a way of life and we have been forever changed because of them. We experience a shift in consciousness where we are compelled to serve, because it is a debt of gratitude we need to pay daily to the people who were there for us, holding the door and starting the meetings for us. It is a beautiful system of unity, service and recovery that is self propagating and fairly timeless. Before I became sick, I felt the calling to serve. I became ordained while I was sick, I had already made a commitment to make recovery not only part of my life, but a source of income from the people outside of recovery. After I had accumulated about 7 years of Al Anon, I was at my personal best. I was still learning and had some unknown issues, yet I was high functioning. My credit score was in the high 700s, I had a home, 2 cars, several thousand dollars worth of construction equipment. All of the promises of recovery had come true for me, until tragedy struck and I experienced a trauma so great that is undid all of the progress I had made in life and returned me to a wounded child filled with shame, fear, grief and rage. Thankfully, no matter how sick I became, no matter how many things I lost, the one thing I held on to was my recovery. I continued to go to meetings and have a sponsor, and most importantly no matter how sick I was I kept sponsoring other people. I would be very up front with them and let them know, you are healthier than I am, but I really know this program. The people I sponsored gave me more mental health benefits than any of the 9 therapists I have seen throughout my life. I connected with my first clients on Facebook, stole them from an incompetent therapist. I respect the original version of step 12 and have made it my mission to carry 12 step recovery to the general public, the people who would never attend a 12 step meeting, or will never again. Many people are frightened off by the nature of recovery. The very mention of God causes a loss of most potential membership. Then there are the old timers who stink up the place with bragging and hard set ways and any of the people who stick with recovery long enough, start to sound like we are part of a cult. That is reality, is not not a problem it is the reason I created a service based company. I learned many years ago in sales, to overcome an objection we need to agree with it. It is imperative to see things from the side of the people we serve. Recovery, Unity, Service... I have difficulty with the Unity part of recovery. I have always been a loner, my personality is overwhelming for most people and the people who know me best are criminals. I am doing my best to build a fellowship on this platform, if you find your way into my inner circle, you will be where few people are allowed. I spend most of my time in isolation, healing, letting go and now writing about the things I have realized. If you are interested in the things I write, feel free to reach out and connect. Please no unsolicited advice, however I would be grateful to have more friends. Thank you, may your day be filled with Peace. Rev. Jeff Rounds for Mixed Recovery, Inc.