12 Steps A photo meditation Volume 1 (steps 1-6) By Todd Vogel
The twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous are the foundation of recovery for millions of people around the world. This includes alcoholics of course, but also those with any number of issues, addictions and or dysfunctions. The author strongly suggests the reader read the original version written by Bill Wilson available through Alcoholics Anonymous World Services PO Box 459, Grand Central Station, NY. NY 10163 or online at http://aa.org. This book does not pretend to cover the steps in their entirety. It definitely does not intend to revise them in any way. Instead, this is an attempt to show the author’s understanding at a given moment and to serve as an introduction. It is no substitute for becoming involved in the twelve step program which best caters to your inclination. Very Simple Guides are designed to help complicated people keep from becoming any more confused than they already are.
A series of Very Simple Guides ODAT Books, Warwick NY http://odatbooks.com Copyright Todd Vogel 2010
In the beginning... Taking the First Three Steps and Staying Upright (you already know how to fall)
The First Step
Powerless - Unmanageable
It does not matter what the substance or the behavior is you are in trouble and you know it. None of this is new. Much you already know.
Three things to look at.
Powerless Despite your best arguments.
Unmanageable You don’t have a choice. Not really.
Admitting it. The only way you are going to climb out of this hole.
Consider the pictures. They all show the world to be bigger than you are.
Powerless I Chances are you have tried to fix it yourself, and where did that get you?
Powerless. II Definitions or technicalities do not help. You can not handle it. Does not matter if it is Alcohol, Drugs, Gambling, Unhealthy relationships whatever - it’s got you.
Powerless. III Admitting defeat is the hardest part. Of course, most mornings...
Unmanageable. I It has come to this... You can see the handwriting on the wall or smash into it. (Again.)
Unmanageable. II
Jails Institutions Death Or wishing you were.
Unmanageable. III Despite our best rationalizations, something is very wrong. The good news is it is easier to cure the disease than to keep living with it.
Take a deep breath. Surrender. Turn the page.
Climb out of the hole. I You have been living in a self-fulfilling prophesy. It’s time for a new oracle.
Climb out of the hole. II You are not the only one who has walked this path. In fact, you can join a massive migration to a better life.
Climb out of the hole. III There will be work, you may stumble or resist,
but in your heart you know this is your path.
The Second Step
Restore us to sanity. (whatever that is)
Do not get hung up on a definition of a higher power. It’s not you. That’s all you have to know. None of this is new. Much you already know.
Three elements to this step:
Words will get in your way.
The hole is deep enough you need a hand getting out.
Sanity - whatever that is.
Look at the pictures when you begin to think..
Words will get in your way. I You have been arguing for so long it’s hard to stop. Start by not trying to define “higher power.”
Words get in your way. II For many of us: Religion = Baggage. If this applies try looking at it this way; the airline lost yours. It was filled with dirty, smelly, socks. Not such a great loss. But you are going to have to wear something.
Words get in your way. III If you’ve got the time, you can get a Ph.D in comparative religion. It will keep you busy, but probably won’t help much. It’s knowing in your heart that matters.
You need a hand . I You don’t have to do it alone. This is especially difficult because we are so accustomed to doing things the hard way.
You need a hand . II It makes it easier when you realize the ship is really sinking. There are lifeboats - climb into one. Might as well say hello to the other folks who are in the same boat.
You need a hand. III It’s been hard being so alone for so long. You can now change that.
Take a deep breath. Give your used straight- jacket to a rummage sale. Turn the page.
Sanity I It’s been a while. But once the waves of drama begin to settle down you will get glimpses of what lies ahead.
Sanity II Only later will you realize just how insane your life had become.
Sanity III The difference will be amazing. You will know Peace, Joy, and Love.
The Third Step
Letting go
The words “as we understood Him” are underlined.
None of this is new. Much you already know.
Three parts to this step:
You don’t have to understand.
Willingness is the key.
The load is lifted.
These pictures are of things which are beyond your control. It’s a starting point.
You don’t have to understand . I Not easy for a control freak. Especially one who has been so out of control.
You don’t have to understand. II This step is the key. If you don’t get it you will try to insert qualifying statements into the rest of your steps. And that just won’t do.
You don’t have to understand. III It’s a matter of trust. You trusted something it’s gotten you here.
Willingness I Why you had to hit your bottom... So long as you thought you could do it yourself you were going keep walking into the same wall.
Willingness II Letting go does not mean giving up all your worldly goods, but you might look at your preconceived notions.
Willingness III If willpower worked you would not be here.
Take a deep breath. Let go. Turn the page.
The load is lifted. I It is so much easier when you are not trying to move immovable objects.
The load is lifted. II It is so much easier when you stop trying to force your foot into a shoe three sizes too small.
The load is lifted III Your world will expand greatly as you accept your place in it.
Part 2
Steps 4,5, and 6
Good News! Whips and Chains are optional
Step Four
Uh-oh
None of this is new. Much you already know.
Three parts to this step:
Honest
Thorough
Pen and paper - required. Whips and chains - optional. Healing - begun.
Look at the pictures when your images get ugly.
Honest I Excuses and rationalizations are not a part of this process.
Honest II Often it takes two... Your part is the one to look at.
Honest III Be fair give yourself credit when it is due. Use this one with moderation.
Thorough I You are looking for patterns. To find them you need to see the whole picture.
Thorough II So long as it is a secret the guilt will continue to gnaw from within.
Thorough. III Remember excuses and good intentions are not a free pass. Neither should you have to write more than six volumes.
Take a deep breath. Keep writing. Turn the page.
Pen and paper Whips and Chains I Remember, hating yourself needs be looked at too. What can you do about it?
Pen and paper II List some good things about yourself. Then add some you would like to become. This chronicle is as much the things you haven’t done as those you have.
Whips and Chains III Do not wallow. Proceed immediately to step five and beyond.
That’s where the true rewards begin.
Step Five
Breaking free of the past.
Your secrets have kept you isolated . None of this is new. Much you already know.
Three parts to this step:
Appropriate.
Exact.
Freedom.
Use the pictures to understand you were not the first to invent any this.
Appropriate I Not to be taken lightly this step needs be done
Appropriate II Not your spouse, not a Federal Prosecutor, not someone critical or judgmental. Not someone who will give you a pass.
Appropriate III With the right person your revelations will come more easily and be more complete.
Exact I Generalizations are cousins to rationalizations.
Exact II Does not mean a replay of every time you made an ass out of yourself.
The idea is to find patterns.
Exact. III Let the light shine all the way to the bottom of your barrel.
Take a deep breath. Tell the things you left out. Turn the page.
Freedom I The secrets fueled shame more intense than was deserved.
Freedom II With the weight off your shoulders you can stand tall again.
Freedom III With the past now behind you you can start to make the most of today.
Step Six
Cleaning up your act
“I’ll never do it again.” Familiar? This is where it can happen. None of this is new. Much you already know.
Three angles on this step:
Patterns.
Taking responsibility
Being ready.
These pictures are prettier than your character defects.
Patterns I Chances are your disease is bigger than its manifestation. There is a reason the substance or behavior worked so well for you.
Patterns II They will threaten so long as you are ruled by fear, anger and shame. Get comfortable in your own skin.
Patterns III Some of them still give comfort. Some seem more or less harmless. Some stopped working years ago.
Taking responsibility I Your side of the street belongs entirely to you.
Taking responsibility II The excuses never really worked and now, not at all.
Taking Responsibility III You are responsible for your emotional health. Nobody is going to do it for you.
Take a deep breath. Let go the old behaviors. Turn the page.
Being ready I The honesty learned in the last two steps pays off here when you admit it’s not ok.
Being Ready II The things to be removed are actually slowing you down.
Being ready III As you recover you no longer need the externals. You are becoming free.