FEBRUARY 2
RESCUED BY SURRENDERING
Characteristic of the so-called typical alcoholic is a narcissistic egocentric core, dominated by feelings of omnipotence, intent on maintaining at all costs its inner integrity. . . . Inwardly the alcoholic brooks no control from man or God He, the alcoholic, is and must be the master of his destiny. He will fight to the end to preserve that position.A.A. COMES OF AGE, p. 311
The great mystery is: “Why do some of us die alcoholic deaths, fighting to preserve the ‘independence’ of our ego, while others seem to sober up effortlessly in A.A.?” Help from a Higher Power, the gift of sobriety, came to me when an otherwise unexplained desire to stop drinking coincided with my willingness to accept the suggestions of the men and women of A.A. I had to surrender, for only by reaching out to God and my fellows could I be rescued.First Wednesday… February 4th
Come join a review of Step 2 on February 4th (First Wednesday). “Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.”
John reviews the step corresponding to the number of that month on each first Wednesday. It’s a rewarding meeting with John outlining the step of the month, how he was challenged by it and how we tackle it ourselves, with and without success! Look for his monthly contribution in this edition!
Step 02
“Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.”
What Can I Surrender in this Step?
1.) My desire to control everything myself, and
2.) My belief that I am responsible for the outcome of my life
STEP SUMMARY
In Step 1, we learned our problem wasn’t alcohol – it was/is our mental states (our thinking) that was the crux of the real problem. How perfect it is that just 10 pages later (page 45, “We Agnostics” – 4th Edition), Bill shared with us the solution to that problem: “Lack of power, that was our dilemma. We had to find a power by which we could live, and it had to be a Power greater than ourselves. That’s exactly what this book is about. Its main object is to enable you to find a Power greater than yourself which will solve your problem.”
Check! How simple is that? This one of twelve simple suggestions is much easier than I ever imagined. I thought solving the drink problem was going to be insurmountable. When I figured out that it’s not a drink problem I need to solve, but a think problem – and that simply believing there is a Power out there that is greater than I am that can help me solve it – well, that made life much easier to bear.
I then get to ask myself why I shouldn’t apply to life’s problems this same readiness to change my point of view. I was having problems with relationships, couldn’t control my emotions, was prey to misery and depression, couldn’t make a living, had a feeling of uselessness, was full of fear, was unhappy and couldn’t be of help to others. I was/am “maladjusted to life, in full flight from reality and an outright mental defective” (B.B. – Doctor’s Opinion – Page xxvi – 4th Edition). All of this was true until the day came I could finally believe that a Power greater than myself could run my life better than I could – and all I had to do was let it.
MYTHS ABOUT THIS STEP
Your higher power has to be God. This is a big misconception in Alcoholics Anonymous. Your higher power can be anything that you believe in: the Universe, nature, Buddha, music, love, Allah, humanity or even AA itself. Another thing to remember is that your Higher Power doesn’t need to have a gender (even though in 1939, Bill W. felt it easier to use one for our basic text). AA doesn’t require you to believe in anything that you don’t want to; each step is a suggestion along the road to a sober life.
THIS STEP’S INVENTORY
Taking a step displays a willingness to write inventory and allow it to surrender something within us. Write inventory on your most serious shortcomings around the practical application of this step in your life today (“How am I applying the principle found in this Step to every moment of my life?”).
STEP CHECKLIST
- Do I believe that left to my own devices, using my own willpower – that my life has become too much to bear?
- Am I willing to agree that there is something out there that might, just might be able to bring me a degree of peace in my life that has eluded me?
- Has my best thinking taken me to very dark places?
- On my own willpower, do I feel somewhat insane?
- Am I willing to let go of whatever conceptions or beliefs I may have had about a Higher Power (God) and design a new one?
- Am I willing to draw near to that Power and let it show itself to me?
- Am I willing to have a true humility and open mind that can lead me to a new faith – a faith that can work?
- Am I willing to believe that a Power greater than myself can restore me to soundness of mind?
(If you can answer yes to these questions, you’ve likely taken this Step)
“It is absolutely possible to believe without trusting – but one cannot trust without believing.”
From an idea by George T.
My First Meeting
Please be “of service.” If you’ve never contributed a “My First Meeting”, please help to keep this column going…we need you! What do you remember most of your first meeting? It can be one sentence; it can be up to two paragraphs. Could be funny, poignant or strictly “clinical”. Write what you want…you might have enjoy writing it!
“Mouse’s Corner”
A.A. member Dave Mc. curates a few selected readings from a variety of A.A. related publications each month.
I already have the solution! Instead of trying to run away from my pain and wish my problems away, I can pray for humility! Humility will heal the pain. Humility will take me out of myself. Humility, that strength granted to me by that “power greater than myself,” is mine for the asking! Humility will bring balance back into my life. Humility will allow me to accept my humanness joyously.
Daily Reflections July 14th
As I look back on it now, I did everything wrong, but at least I was thinking of somebody else instead of myself. I had begun to get a little bit of something I am very full of now, and that is gratitude. I was becoming increasingly grateful to the people in New York and to the God they referred to but whom I found difficult to reach. (Yet I realized I had to seek the Higher Power I was told about.)
Big Book page 197
Contributed by Dave Mc.
Tale from the Beginning
Recovery is often described as a personal journey, filled with moments of struggle, insight, and transformation. In the earliest days of my own path to healing, in the beginning, I was going to a lot of meetings. I didn’t want talk. When my mind wasn’t wandering, I would only listen. But most of the time I would look around the room for people I might know so I could avoid them. I was embarrassed.
So one day, I am at Gibbons and I see Jeff.
I went through periods of sobriety and when I did I was very successful at what I did. So, in that success, I did what a lot of young folk do, I rebuilt the house. Jeff worked on the rebuild. He was this tall strapping dude that could do anything putting that house together. So, I guess it made sense to meet with him after a few meetings to get his take on what I should be doing to get my journey in sobriety going.
We talked about a lot of things, including how I was NOT living in the house he helped build but living in my office. He kind of teared up when he advised me to forget about all that. One afternoon we went deep into the subject of a Higher Power. I was raised a Catholic and went to all the schools growing up. Jeff was now a practicing Catholic but was not officially one, he just went to Assumption for mass a few times a week.
Naturally, a few of our conversations got around to Higher Powers and finally, he asked me to do him a favor. Go to church. I was not too keen on this idea. I did agree to meet him though for 5:30 Saturday mass at Our Lady of Assumption. And I went I think around a half a dozen times. The sermons were not for me though. Let’s just say, I disagreed with a few, and a few were one to many.
And then I moved Downtown and I’ve seen Jeff sometimes when the City Basketball tournaments are going on at Golden One. We nod at one another and I hold up fingers as to how many years I am still sober.
The thing of it was that Church may not have been for me, I don’t think it is. The Catholics have gone through a thing called the Schism. I think we had one too. I will say this though, my conversations with Jeff, did bring forth the concept and acceptance of a Higher Power. Even if the Higher Power’s basic tenant is, that if I stay sober, if I do good things, good things will happen to me.
Impact on My Recovery
That first real discussion with Jeff planted a seed. It encouraged me to keep an open mind and explore what spirituality and a Higher Power might mean for me personally. Over time, I found that this openness helped me move forward, giving me a sense of hope and support during difficult moments.
Conclusion
Looking back, I recognize how important that conversation with Jeff was. He didn’t just talk to me about a Higher Power—he offered understanding, patience, and a willingness to share his journey. That moment marked the true start of my recovery, reminding me that sometimes, the right guidance comes from those who care enough to listen and share their truth.
Contributed by John M.
Sacramento AA Flyers
February Birthdays… IF They Make It!
February 1st… Marv P. celebrates 40 years
If your birthday has been missed…. fill out the birthday form.
We really want to celebrate your AA anniversary because your birthday made ours possible!
Thanks everybody and apologies to you if you were missed or incorrectly noted.
Our Trusted Servants Continue to Be:
The current Step 2 Men’s Group meeting schedule is Monday, Wednesday & Friday at Tim’s (3809 J St), Tuesday & Thursday online, Saturday in the park is “Daily Reflections” and Sunday is our Rogue meeting in the park. Each gathering is one hour. Great job men!
- Monday: Tim C.
- Tuesday: Mark C.
- Wednesday: John M.
- Thursday: Sean F.
- Friday: Jon B.
- Saturday: Dave M.
- Sunday: Mark C.
Want to add your name to the “Back-up-Help-Substitute Secretary List”? Just contact Group GS, John M., Treasurer Mark W. or any of our other Secretaries and let them know!
Step 2 Men’s Group Believes…
“Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.”
We’d never presume that the 12 Steps are not clear. Nor would we imply that they need ‘improvement’. However…for purposes of assisting to keep the meeting pointed in an important direction each day, the “Step 2 Men’s Group Statement” is read as follows:
Step 2 Men’s Group is founded on the belief that spirituality is essential to our sobriety.
Our group is non-religious, but we do not oppose anyone’s religious beliefs. We believe that respect for others and their beliefs is essential to our spiritual development.
Accordingly we ask that avoid criticism of others or of their religion or lack of religion, their race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation, physical appearance, trade or profession, length of sobriety, or personal beliefs.
Our goal is to further our spirituality, our sobriety and our personal development, not to confront or belittle others. Always remember to be kind to others.
Extra Special Thanks Dept:
Thanks to our General Secretary John M. for “Tale from the Beginning”, Dave Mc. for “Mouse’s Corner”, our new GSR Terry M, and our Treasurer Mark W. for all your contributions. We’re still waiting for YOU gentle reader…Why don’t YOU contribute a short “something?” Any length, most any AA related topic. Reply now and it will get included next month!
Men’s Gazette – January 2026