eastwester

Step Three---Freedom

Posted on 07/13/08, 06:00 pm

.....taken from NA Step Working Guides, pg 28.......
------We wind up our work on Step Three with an increase in our level of freedom. If we've been thorough with this step, we're profoundly relieved to realize that the world will go along just fine without our intervention. The responsibility of running everything is a huge burden, and we're happy to lay it down. We may feel comforted that a loving God is caring for our will and our lives, letting us know in subtle ways that the path we're on is the right one. We've seen our old ideas for what they are, and we're willing to let go of them and allow change to happen in our lives. We may even find that we're willing to take some risks we never had the courage to take before, because we're secure in the knowledge of our Higher Power's care for us.

• Reply #1 08/04/08  10:09am
  
  Moyer
  Wow - I've read this discussion topic before without responding to it, but this morning it's as if I'm reading it for the first time. I still have other 3rd Step q's I want to answer before going on to Step 4, but I have to say this new feeling of freedom is lovely. I'll admit that sometimes I still slip into my old patterns of behavior, feeling the world might need me to run some of it's burdens...lol@me...of course today I know this isn't true. It's very calming for me to be able to realize those are old patterns of behavior, I don't have to rely on them any longer, my HP is truly there for me. I've been set free! And I'm enjoying my new found freedom one day at a time. And I'm pretty sure I'll want to write more about this topic again, in the future. Freedom is lovely :)
• Reply #2 08/13/08  3:27am
  
  brigrob
  "The responsibility of running everything is a huge burden..." is very profound for me. I did that for years, carrying everyone's burdens and making them my own. I even used it as one of my reasons to gamble. I would think of how overwhelmed I was doing everything for everyone. I never thought that was a lifestyle that I created and maintained. So the freedom that comes from the realization that this isn't something I had to do, but chose to do, and relinquishing and letting go of that belief, is a freedom I have learned to cherish as I live day to day.
• Reply #3 08/14/08  8:52pm
  
  Auzgurl
  Freedom comes from chosing to not allow yourself to become a victim to circumstance - yes I have an addiction - am I active in it? NO - so therefore am I enslaved to it? NO. I chose today to make healthy choices in my life that will improve myself and my world - as I do this there is a new Freedom that flows and it just increases and my life becomes BETTER!
  Freedom true freedom is a gift.
• Reply #4 09/15/08  6:23am
  
  Deekers7
  I think when I finally hit rock bottom with my Gambling addiction I went through Steps one, two and three all at the same time. Because I've turned my life over to God, Since then, I feel more at peace. Now its on to Step 4.
• Reply #5 11/08/08  6:58am
  
  emptyluck
  There is nothing more calming then when you wake up to the way you were before the addiction, Kinda like a little girl again. The calm, carefree, Peace. That is what God wants for us. Not to worry, So great to remember this now. I am considering speaking with my priest and going back to church. I didn't even sign my kids up for CCD this year, All my time was consumed with making money and going to the casino PERIOD!!!!!!! Something had taken over my spirit, my will, my life.
• Reply #6 11/22/08  11:38am
  
  butterfly02...
  I am a newbie..last bet oct 26 08. Turning my will and my life over to God.I have a question. I had a tiff with youngest DIL..nothing major in my eyes but now she is useing my grandson to punish me. She doesn't want me to visit her and she doesn't want my son to bring my GS here. He is only four months old and i am missing his growing babyhood. This is a GD i loved SO much ..for three years before her marriage to my son we got along like mother and daughter. For about seven months before her son was born something happened ..her attitude towards me became one of hostility. She also like to gamble and is very very attached to her mother who also likes to gamble. I keep trying to talk to my son to bring my GS to visit and all he keeps saying is " i have to support her in this , cause she is my wife ". I made my amends to her a month ago for saying words that i shouldn't have said.
  
  Do i turn this over to God. Is this his will for me. I have cried a lot of tears over this ..i am not a bully or one to rock the boat ...i can forgive but i am also human and want to see my GS.
  Any help would be appreciated. These are the type of things that would drive me to gamble.,and i pray not to gamble...Thanks
• Reply #7 11/22/08  2:06pm
  
  Kimbers
  Have messaged you a response in private:)
  Hugsssssssssssssssssss
• Reply #8 11/22/08  3:03pm
  
  sanr
  STep Three. 'Giving up my Will. Letting a HP take my hand..
  'I too have experienced not being around '3 grandchildren due to 'family conflict that ended in court.. I tried to make amends ; but was met 'viley.. with words. '"I" tried.......;but 'I" can't change others opinion of me.. no matter how close '"I" Felt "I" was ..
  'Today .. "I" can give up these 'children to a 'HP who 'will look after them for me.........they are well ;but ''I" am not there as 'gramma to them. ONe I" have never seen.. or touched , or cooed to..
  'Today .....My Freedom from 'gambling 'teaches me......Focus on Me.. Let God handle what is outside of me and out of my Reach.. Keep me ''safe and open for the day .. when 'things change'.. Amen..
  'I believe humans think they own their children '; but to me ''they don't .. They belong to ''a loving God .. 'I will let HIM 'Work it out.. which gives me 'FReedom to continue on with ''my ''Focus on ME.
  'Be Well sanr..

A support/ discussion group for those seeking a solution to their gambling problem through working the 12 steps of recovery.