Step 2 | A Brighter Tomorrow for Love Addicts

Susan Peabody
Elder Member

Administrator

Welcome to recovery . . .

Posts: 9,313

Step 2 Jun 17, 2020 12:48:17 GMT -8

Quote

Post by Susan Peabody on Jun 17, 2020 12:48:17 GMT -8

Second Step Prayer

Heavenly Father,
I know in my heart that only you can restore me to sanity.
I humbly ask that you remove all twisted thought &
Addictive behavior from me this day.
Heal my spirit & restore in me a clear mind.

Attached you will find Step 2. You can download it to your computer and type right on the document.

Attachments:

LAA Step 2. New.doc (10.66 KB)

Last Edit: Mar 31, 2021 11:37:49 GMT -8 by Susan Peabody

lianita24
Full Member

Russian Liaison

Posts: 130

Step 2 May 2, 2021 15:36:51 GMT -8

Quote

Post by lianita24 on May 2, 2021 15:36:51 GMT -8

A friend of mine asked to post her Life Story to the step one (I needed to translate it).

Her story:

"LAA's second step.

I got hope, I began to free myself from the corroding feelings of guilt. I decided to trust the program completely. When I was writing my reflections, answering the questions of the program, I felt peace and clarity. I returned to the "here and now", I felt release from the agony to the object of my addiction. I believed in the program, gave up my powerlessness to High Power and opened myself up to the next steps." Written by "S".

Last Edit: Jul 30, 2021 3:05:39 GMT -8 by Linda S.

kitt
New Member

Posts: 14

Step 2 Jun 12, 2021 10:36:02 GMT -8 lianita24 likes this

Quote

Post by kitt on Jun 12, 2021 10:36:02 GMT -8

Step 2- Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

1.Is your love addiction or codependency a substitution for a Higher Power? If yes,

analyze and reflect on how you use the substitution instead of accepting the

presence of a Higher Power.

Yes,I believe that my addiction to others has kept me from finding a HP.
For example, for 13 years I worshiped Q. He could do no wrong. I put
him on a pedestal. I did whatever he told me to do. Even though I had
a husband I chose to do whatever Q told me to do. I would travel

to see him without my husband knowing, He was larger than life
itself.

2.Can I believe that, thanks to a Higher Power and the support of the group, I can love myself and increase my self-esteem, as well as learn to ask for help? Do I believe I should not do it alone?

Yes,I believe that with the help of a HP and the support of the group I can learn to love myself

using prayer, meditation anf going to meetings I will increase my self-esteem. I will

ask others for help when I need it and not feel a shamed about it. I knoe

for FACT I cannot do this alone. I have tried and have failed.

3. Have you come to have faith? If so, how? Can I believe that trust in the
Higher Power can bring me clarity and sanity?

I have always had faith. Yet I think with time my faith will grow stronger with trust, prayer,

and humility to were I truly 100% believe that the Higher Power can bring

me the clarity andsanity I want and deserve.

4. How does spirituality differ from the religion of your childhood?

Spirituality and religion are two different things. I was brought up catholic

which I no longer believe in. But I am a spiritual person and believe
that there is a HP watching over us.

5. What does it feel like to finally have God in your life? Are you hopeful? Nervous? Grateful?

I have always had God in my life but not to the extent that is required

to be healed of this obsession I suffer from. So yes I am hopeful.

Last Edit: Jun 12, 2021 10:43:08 GMT -8 by kitt

lianita24
Full Member

Russian Liaison

Posts: 130

Step 2 Aug 13, 2021 19:50:27 GMT -8

Quote

Post by lianita24 on Aug 13, 2021 19:50:27 GMT -8

The fried of mine S. asked me to post her life storyes to the steps (I am going to Russian meetings too and I was need to translate it).

Her story:

Step 2.

The second and third steps go together for me, because I repeat, I have been an atheist all my life and came to the program in a terrible state and it was very difficult for me to accept the fact that I can relieve myself of responsibility for my own life, for my personal life, for my recovery, and shift it onto the shoulders of Higher Power. I rewrote this bundle “2-3” several times, the sponsor told me to write it as it “would be”. It was very difficult for me, but I started to have concept of God today. It is the second step that is devoted for understanding the Higher Power and the concept of God.

Last Edit: Aug 13, 2021 19:51:22 GMT -8 by lianita24

gemini
New Member

Posts: 9

Step 2 Nov 13, 2021 20:46:56 GMT -8 powerless and lianita24 like this

Quote

Post by gemini on Nov 13, 2021 20:46:56 GMT -8

Here is my reponse to restoration:

1.Is your love addiction or codependency a substitution for a Higher Power? If yes, analyze and reflect on how you use the substitution instead of accepting the presence of a Higher Power.

I lost my faith in a Higher Power. I became very self-reliant and lived many years in the absence of a Higher Power. I substituted love addiction, material things, money, career, advanced degrees, education and lived life in a superficial manner and only sought immediate gratification or fixes to soothe my needs. I depended on external gratification rather than internal spiritual guidance in search for happiness and personal fulfillment.

2. Can I believe that, thanks to a Higher Power and the support of the group, I can love myself and increase my self-esteem, as well as learn to ask for help? Do I bcelieve I should not do it alone?

Yes. I am tired of doing it alone. I realized that I can not do it alone. I joined LAA and attended 5 meetings so far and I have been attending consistently. I am empowered by the voices of our group members and how they shared similar experiences. The fact that I am no longer alone gives me strength and courage to overcome my weakness.

3. Have you come to have faith? If so, how? Can I believe that trust in the Higher Power can bring me clarity and sanity?

Yes. It started when I went on a Solo Trip to Mexico. I traveled to soothe my broken heart. I forced myself to travel and have fun to get over my broken heart. Then, when I was walking around the plaza, there was a mass gathering going on and I went inside the church to observe. During the time I joined, the priest was walking down the church isle and people were chanting and singing. The priest splashed holy water to the people, and I felt it on my forehead. I felt a surge of euphoria and tingling sensation went up my spine. I felt goosebumps and I wasn’t sure what was happening. That was the first encounter that brought back faith in my life. That was in 2017. Ever since, I have spiritual practice at home, where I take a moment of silence, pray, and meditate. Starting year 2020 when I made prayer and meditation part of my daily spiritual practice. Looking back, I realized how this spiritual practice helped me to sober up and it also led me to looking inward and digging deeper into my habits and behaviors. It gave me strength to withdraw from my qualifiers and I stopped dating. I told myself, I don’t know exactly why I’m doing this, but I want to give myself a chance to just be with myself. I had fears but somehow, I was strong enough to let go. This is the beginning of my journey on dismantling my love addiction.

4. How does spirituality differ from the religion of your childhood? It is different from my childhood because, I feel guided to finding my spiritual path. I had endured many pains, trials, and tribulations to find myself on this path to spirituality.

5. What does it feel like to finally have God in your life? Are you hopeful? Nervous? Grateful? I am finally hopeful, and I no longer feel alone.

lianita24
Full Member

Russian Liaison

Posts: 130

Step 2 Dec 8, 2021 7:06:10 GMT -8 RoseNadler and manju23may like this

Quote

Post by lianita24 on Dec 8, 2021 7:06:10 GMT -8

The fried of mine D. asked me to post her life stories to the steps (I am going to Russian meetings too and I was need to translate it).

Her story:

Step two and Step three were complex and difficult steps for me. At first, I did not understand anything, experienced resistance. I came to the LAA Program as an agnostic, these was completely rationalism and materialism, my ego had to explain everything logically. I could not pray; I did not feel with my heart. I did, as the sponsor says, prayed “as if I believed”. After accepting the prayer of the third step, the miracles began, God “removed” the addict from my life (he ceased to be a leader at my work). I began to read books explaining spirituality from different angles. I began to listen to the speakers of communities of AA about the Higher Power and made a contact with it - it helped a lot. On those steps, I found contact with God: the most valuable thing I have by now. Thanks to this the recovery began.

Last Edit: Dec 8, 2021 7:06:43 GMT -8 by lianita24

Linda S.
Elder Member

Meeting Coordinator

Posts: 577

Step 2 Feb 2, 2022 13:53:17 GMT -8 manju23may likes this

Quote

Post by Linda S. on Feb 2, 2022 13:53:17 GMT -8

Sunday Step Study Meeting

We successfully spent the month of January delving deep into Step 1 and on Sunday, 6th February we move on to Step 2:

Faith - “Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.”

We use the LAA Step Guide and supplement it with other resources helpful to understanding and working the steps, heavily drawing on members' experience, strength and hope.

It is possible to join at any time, and for occasional sessions, but you will benefit most if you can attend regularly as the content is cumulative and the fellowship enriching.

Step Study Meeting

Every Sunday

14.00 to 15.30 (Eastern Time)

us02web.zoom.us/j/89519715053?pwd=YlpiclBLSVJUY01VbURkSlhCbjJuUT09

Meeting ID: 895 1971 5053

Passcode: 413263

Time Converters

www.timeanddate.com/

(Select "Time Zone Converter" on the right and scroll down when open)

OR

www.thetimezoneconverter.com/

Last Edit: Feb 2, 2022 13:53:53 GMT -8 by Linda S.

Cheryl
Junior Member

Posts: 72

Step 2 Jun 14, 2022 17:28:28 GMT -8 RoseNadler and Shirley C. like this

Quote

Post by Cheryl on Jun 14, 2022 17:28:28 GMT -8

1.Is your love addiction or codependency a substitution for a Higher Power?

No. my addiction is a result of childhood stress and craziness. I can totally see that. I sort of knew it, but I've been very validated lately by what I'm reading, learning, and hearing from others, especially here.

I have already dealt with my issues with religion, gave it up, and believe in the Source of all things that lives within me and that I cannot be disconnected from. I meditate to stay connected and find wonderful things about nature and the world to help remind me of the wonders of this world. I don't want any religion in my life anymore.

2. Can I believe that, thanks to a Higher Power and the support of the group, I can love myself and increase my self-esteem, as well as learn to ask for help? Do I believe I should not do it alone?

I am never alone. I have friends, acquaintances, and the people in this group! (I do hope to get to know you all!) I have Source, my Inner Being, and anyone else out there looking in on me and cheering me on from wherever they are. My favorite and most supportive "people" right now are my two cats and dog. They follow me, make sure I've got someone with me, and never leave me alone.

Oh, and I have my motorcycle.

Really, I have loads of self-esteem, just not when it comes to relationships. (Well, I'm very good at proving to everyone that they are wrong about me.) I tend to people please my friends, too, and my husband. I beg for attention from quite a number of people. I've been called a "know-it-all."

For about a month now, I've been trying to reign that in and have begun to use my boundaries. Yes, I have boundaries now! 1. Don't overshare. 2. Listen. 3. Ask questions about them. 4. Say things like, "I am not sure, but I have tried..." to stop sounding like I'm preaching or instructing (I am a teacher who "teaches" even in her off time).

3. Have you come to have faith? If so, how? Can I believe that trust in the Higher Power can bring me clarity and sanity?

I believe there is a Source of all things, that I am part of that, and I am very sure of one thing: I am part of something much, much bigger than myself that I don't understand and is really, super cool.

4. How does spirituality differ from the religion of your childhood?

The religion of my childhood is Protestant Christian. I don't agree with any of the tenants, beliefs, or traditions any longer and struggled with them pretty much my whole life. I released myself from the restraints of a patriarchal religion that condones far too many atrocities, as well as any other religion that comes around. I don't mean to offend anyone; I just have my own, very strong opinions on the subject.

5. What does it feel like to finally have God in your life? Are you hopeful? Nervous? Grateful? I am finally hopeful, and I no longer feel alone.

I have no desire anymore to pray to a patriarchal "God." However, I do meditate, try to calm my mind, and I do yoga and try to eat healthy. The one thing I can control is my health and weight (and I'm learning to control my love addiction).

Mostly, lately, I've been asking the Universe and those with my best interest to lead me to resources for healing. I've discovered them coming from places all over, especially when I'm looking but not really looking. It's been fun. The kismet has been crazy fun lately. I have to not allow my current situation to overshadow these fantastic moments of kismet.