In my humble opinion, I agree with what the old timers tell me about the 12 steps. They can be condensed down to: 1) Trust God 2) Clean house, and 3) Work with others. There is a man that attends Marquette AA Group; he says these three just about every time he shares with the group. I watch him and see he appears happy and confortable in his own skin. He always has a smile. He has been sober a long time. I believe this is because he really works and applies the 12 steps everyday in his life. This is a good testimony to the effectiveness of the steps. They truly are a design for living.
In my own life, I try to use the steps, or as is said, "practice these principles in all my affairs." What I get in return is a chance to feel comfortable in my own skin. At the end of the day when I take my daily inventory I have fewer shortcomings if I truly apply the principles through the day. Fewer shortcomings means fewer people I might have hurt. Which, in turn means fewer amends I need to make. And that, my friend, is my goal; to help people and not hurt them. I believe this is the way The Lord indended for us to do. We are to love our brother. We are our brother's keeper. The 12 steps help me to stay rightsized so I am better able to do these things today.
