Step 2 - The Bridge of Hope

The 2^nd Step – Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

Rising from rock bottom is not easy. Not only are we confronted with staying away from a drink but we also face the need to change our thinking too. After admitting we were alcoholics, we arrive at the 2nd Step. Step 2 is the bridge of hope from a hopeless condition to the promise of a new life. To take this step we are only required to believe. Belief is the key word! It’s the beginning of change.

This was a bit tricky for me. I saw the 2^nd Step not only telling me to believe in a Higher Power*, but to also admit that I was insane. My willingness to believe took a heavy stumble when it came to seeing anything positive for myself. In the beginning all I believed in was failure and self-loathing. A life happy, joyous and free was but a fantasy.

It was also difficult to separate the idea of God or a Higher Power from religion. Religion was something I didn’t want. I believed in God, but I was certain God didn’t believe in me. It was a simple as that! The consequences of my drinking were a result of what I thought was missing from my life. Therefore sanity was not issue, even the attempts at my life were not an issue. If I had what I wanted in my life I would not be so crazy.

A little open-mindedness on my part would have helped. I had to let go of preconceived notions and allow myself to believe to start moving forward. A common phrase in AA is “fake it, until you make it”, meaning keep working on my program and I would get there. I was told that often. It took time but once I was able to honestly work through the steps, I began to see sanity return. Sanity brought belief, and belief brought more dedicated effort to my recovery. And before I knew it, I had made it.

*I already have a post on a Higher Power. There is no sense rewriting it. If you are struggling with the concept of a higher power, I urge you to read that post or others like it. The full of spectrum of belief can found in the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous. It matters not how you define your Higher Power, but sobriety is much easier having one.

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