It occurred to me during a meeting a few days ago why my Al Anon sponsor of two months (has so little time passed?!) has not asked me to begin "working" the 12-Steps. A "stairway" must have a solid floor under it, and i guess acceptance is supposed to be my floor, my "bottom." I have sought spirituality via the via negativa, agains the advice of many wise. I am not saying that 12 step programs have a "positive theology" or any theology at all; but it does present itself as a practical program whose principles are known by a community of which i am once again part, and therefore, in the know.
Acceptance is the floor on which those principles are built. Acceptance of what? Of everything: facts, mysteries, other people, what i don't like as much as what i like, my sponsor's suggestiona, etc., etc., etc. I think i get that. I think i will try it.
Yesterday my sponsor gave me the go ahead to start on step one. I am to define "powerlessness" and recall times when i have felt powerless. Unfortunaltely that shoukd be easy. I am to define "unmanageabilty" and make of list of times i thought my life was unmanageable. Then i am to read both AA and Al Anon discussions of step one. I am on my way..
