Wednesday, November 11th

For me, working Step Twelve was not a “graduation” exercise but a new beginning.

The third theme of Step Twelve invites us to “practice these principles in all our affairs.” In working the Steps, we learn that they are based on a set of principles. We find that if we can adopt these principles in our recovery, they often enable us to change our outlook and behaviors.

Many of us begin to develop new coping skills to take the next right action instead of slipping back into our compulsion. We find it easier to stay on our Sexual Recovery Plan and to help others. We learn to forgive our past and to enjoy living in the present. We can make amends to people we have harmed and forgive those who have harmed us. We begin to show compassion to ourselves and others through acts of service that affirm us and strengthen our recovery.

Just as our compulsion affected each part of our lives, so does our recovery. As we practice these principles in all our affairs, we discover that recovery has transformed our lives from a set of parts into an integrated whole. We become honest, open human beings in recovery.

Living Step Twelve is simply living.