PDA

View Full Version : Step 1 an action step


dalin
01-29-2009, 01:04 PM
January 29
The First Step—an action step

“Do we understand that we have no real control over drugs?”

Basic Text, p. 18

––––=––––

At first, many of us may have thought the First Step required no action—we just surrender and go on to Step Two. But Step One does require action!

The action we take in the First Step will be evident in the way we live, even from our first day clean. If we truly believe that we are powerless over our addiction, we will not choose to be around drugs. To continue to live with or associate with practicing addicts may indicate a reservation in our program. An absolute belief that the First Step applies to us will insure that we clear our homes of all drugs and paraphernalia.

As time goes on, we’ll not only continue with the basics but add new actions to our First Step repertoire. We’ll learn to feel our feelings rather than trying to control them. We’ll stop trying to be our own and only guides on our recovery journey; self-sponsorship will cease. We’ll begin looking to a Power greater than ourselves more and more for spiritual satisfaction rather than trying to fill that void with something else.

Surrender is only the beginning. Once we surrender, we need to learn how to live in the peace we have found.

––––=––––

Just for today: I will take all the action necessary to practice the First Step. I truly believe it applies to me.



Copyright © 1991-2008 by Narcotics Anonymous World Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved

letgo
01-29-2009, 02:26 PM
Interesting. There is no mention here of the second part of Step One...."that our lives had become unmanageble...."

I can see this interpretation of Step One being an action step BUT it has to be seen within the context of all the steps. I prefer to see step one as "the problem", two and three as giving us a solution outside ourselves, 4-12 are action steps with some saying that 10-12 are maintenance steps but I digress.

Step One is the only step we can do (hopefully) 100%. It is the start of developing other traits in ourselves such as honesty, willingness and open-mindedness. These are essential for working the remaining steps and it is a 12 step program not a one or a three step program!