These are typically some of the first actions seasoned members perform on awakening. Prayer and meditation are vast and deeply personal practices, but we believe we can offer some suggestive starting points. Our attitude toward our higher power, the truth of our need, and right sizing of our role can all lead to a real relationship with our higher power who, for simplicities sake, we will refer to as God.

An attitude of gratitude is the beginning point for connection to the creator of all that exists. What other honest response can we give to the one who has provided everything? Any real relationship begins and grows through truth. This is what we seek. When we are in gratitude we are in the presence of God. An action, to get into a state of gratitude, is to write 5 new things down of which you are truly grateful. This is a good daily exercise to start today.

Our deep and abiding need for our higher power is also the truth. Without our higher power we are lost. Our addiction has given some the gift of desperation, which has been the touch stone for many deep spiritual awakenings, this desperation is the truth for all of humanity. When we are in touch with the fact that we need God for our very existence, we are beginning to pray. The acceptance of our powerlessness and unmagability over most of our lives i.e. wars, the economy, the weather, our bosses, partners, children, parents, siblings, air quality, to this list we can add infinitum- all bring us to the truth of our need for God.

We utilize some existing prayers so that we may internalize truths about God and ourselves. God doesn't need our direction, but his direction is vital for us. This is not to say God doesn't listen to our requests. It simply illustrates the truth of our relationship with God. The Big Book states, "He is the director and we are his agents. He is the father and we are his children." Prayers that embody this spirit have been beneficial to many of us.

Some of the prayers we would suggest can be found in the Daily Action List area.

Proper expectations, the frequency of our attendance, our level of participation, actions before and after the meeting can all impact the effectiveness of meetings.

What is a proper expectation for a meeting? Meetings are not the program. The program is outlined in the first 164 pages of the Big Book. Meetings are a billboard or trailer for the movie which is the program. Meetings offer an opportunity for new people to find a sponsor, gain hope, and establish a support system. For those who have worked the program, i.e. the steps, meetings offer opportunities to meet sponsees, offer hope, give and receive support, and fellowship.

How often should I attend a meeting? A good goal for a new person or a person seeking renewal is a minimum of 90 meetings in 90 days. The easiest habit to establish is to attend a meeting every day. We only keep what we have by giving it away. If not at meetings where will you find sponsees, offer service, and have fellowship with others in recovery today? Who will be there for the newcomer? These are personal questions each member must answer for themselves.

Giving your undivided attention to the meeting is a good level of participation. Wether speaking or listening this will serve your recovery. Volunteering to greet, read, chair or clean up after the meeting can also be beneficial.

Before and after the meeting can be more beneficial than the meeting itself. We are the glue that hold the fellowship together. Making newcomers and oldtimers feel welcome and apart of should be a priority concern for all members. Going out after the meeting establishes and cements relationships. If there isn't a "meeting after the meeting", like going to dinner or coffee, you are now nominated to establish one. Invite people into relationship. After the meeting is also a chance to talk to newcomers. Many times new people don't know anyone and so they hurry to leave. Talk to them. Begin to welcome them. Don't wait for them to approach you. They don't know what they need or what they should do, that is where you come in. Be the love of the fellowship today.

At first we work the steps with our sponsor and then we transition into helping others work the steps. This is the program. We are always working the steps in one capacity or another and this is always done with others. Questions new people have usually center around what exactly are sponsors and sponsees? Do I need a sponsor?

What is a Sponsor? Simply put, a sponsor is a guide through the 12 steps. These individuals have worked the 12 steps and had a spiritual awakening as a result. A typical first assignment a sponsor gives is to have the sponsee call them every day. This begins the process of building a relationship. It also begins a process of turning ones will over. The definition of the alcoholic is self will run riot. This begins to break the bondage of self through accountability to another. Many sponsors will not accept a sponsee or give another assignment until the sponsee has called them every day for a week. This also weeds out the individuals who aren't ready to make the journey.

Sponsees are individuals who seek the assistance of another in working the 12 steps. Aside from daily phone calls to their sponsor, they are often asked to pray in the morning asking, "Please keep me sober today" and in the evening, "Thank you for keeping me sober". Usually a sponsor will have them commit to 90 meetings in 90 days. There are other assignments of course but it will vary from one sponsor to another based on their personal experience. A sponsor shares their experience with their sponsee. Experience is far more valuable than their thoughts on something. At some point after they have worked the steps a sponsor will let the sponsee know it is time for them to sponsor others and aid them in this process when necessary.

Do I need a sponsor? Sponsorship was involved in every success story in the Big Book. Each person was guided to a spiritual awakening. After meeting countless scores of people in thousands of meetings, the author has never met someone who has achieved substantial sobriety i.e. more than 2 years with out the aid of a sponsor. Of course, it is completely up to the individual what they choose.