12-Step Principles
Step One: Acceptance
Everyone has, at one time or another, had to repair some damage to their lives. For me, alcohol wasn’t the problem. Alcohol was just a symptom of the problem; the real problem was me – I was spiritually bankrupt. However, it’s not only those who are addicted to alcohol and drugs who’s spirits need to be uplifted; everybody needs helps now and then.
The 12-Steps were divinely downloaded through Bill W. and Dr. Bob, and when followed in order, work perfectly to help make you become the best person you can be. Each step has a corresponding principle that is pivotal to its success.
The first principle is acceptance. Accept that you are powerless; powerless over people, places, things, and situations. Everything happens for a reason and to be truly happy, have no expectations and give up the reason to know why things happen as they do.
Have you found yourself in any of the following scenarios:
- Betrayed by a spouse or significant other?
- Misunderstood for something you did or said?
- Lost someone close to you that you loved?
- Been unfairly terminated or fired from a job?
- Gone through a bitter break-up or divorce?
- Been falsely accused of something you didn’t do?
These are examples of common life experiences, and if you are fortunate enough, only one or two may happen to you. The key here is acceptance. You don’t have to like a situation, but accepting it makes your life go a whole lot smoother.
Take the loss of a loved one. You keep thinking of all the future events that would never happen, unable to find peace and acceptance. You ask those questions like “why?” and “how?” and don’t receive any answers. You struggle to find the meaning of it all.
What you are really trying to cope with is change, not the loss.
You cannot change anything but yourself.
Once you accept that, you begin the journey of life.
If you are willing to receive it, acceptance is the first gift you are given when you make the decision to heal.
I will leave you with the Acceptance Prayer from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous (p. 417) that has always returned my focus to the truth.