A Step Down

BY: RICK N. | DUBLIN, OHIO | November 2009

November, and colder weather, bring for me a time of being inside more often; inside my home as well as more introspection. I use a few simple tools of AA-such as prayer and meditation-to improve my conscious contact with God. My willingness counts as both an ingredient of sobriety and a prayer, opening myself as a channel and allowing the seeds to grow.

In my early years of sobriety in AA, I heard: “Think of each Step not as a step up to sobriety, but rather as a step down to humility.” In Bill W.’s story, he says how important humility is as an ingredient of sobriety. I have reached a conclusion that humility is closeness to God.

Steps Ten, Eleven and Twelve are the maintenance Steps: Steps to maintain the work, changes and spirituality that come as a result of the previous Steps. I heard, “Use these tools in sobriety,” much like washcloths, polish and paint might be used to protect a wooden staircase I’ve built with quality lumber and great care.

At meetings, if I listen, I can hear the miracle and fulfillment of the Promise that God is doing for us what we cannot do for ourselves.