Blog entry for:

i start by staying clean, a day at a time. when my energy is no longer channeled into my addiction, i grow in recovery.
so what went through my head as i pondered the reading, well at first it rang so true that nothing popped-up, but as i showered i began to think about the title and it reminded me of an infomercial about some sort of self-help program -- FREE seminar THE 12 STEPS TO A BETTER LIFE -- SEATS ARE LIMITED SO SIGN UP TODAY!
although it was a bit humorous to think about some recovering addict running around an audience, soliciting "unrehearsed" testimonials about how their lives had changed for the better since embarking on this 12 step program. the frivolity of my little dive into commercial culture was apparent. i am glad that the fellowship that has shown me this new way of living is dead-set against promotion of this sort at any cost. BUT i could write the script in my head if that was ever to change!
i am glad that no one made any outrageous promises or presented me with some slick brochure when i first walked into the rooms. my experience however could fills volumes of testimonials about my life and the lives of others changing as a result of working a 12 step program. for me there is only one program that has ever worked and the one of the principles that i live prevents me from naming which fellowship has given me a new manner of living. there are a whole bunch of wonderful things i could say about my fellowship, but the gift i am most grateful for today, is that it was here when it came time for me to seek another way of life. the twelve steps are actually quite simple, and the actions i take as a result of learning how to live the steps, to provide me the means to not use anything right now. if simple abstinence was enough i would have been clean years and years before i made the decision to be worth recovery from addiction. abstinence allows me to see what i need to do, and have the desire to do those simple things that the steps suggest that i do. it is however the twelve steps that allow me to grow into the sort of person who wishes to be more that they ever were, and who has the inherent ability to do just that.
should i be writing an infomercial? no i think just living the steps is attraction enough for this addict today. so off into the gloomy world to face whatever i need to face this day!

∞ DT ∞