Hi! I'm Carol, alcoholic, grateful to be here.

I think almost every Step is about willingness. First, willingness to surrender. Then, willingness to believe there is a Power greater than myself. Willingness to turn my life and will over to Him. Willingness to let go. Willingness to admit that I'm an alcoholic, and that I can't stop drinking on my own. So, turning that over first, and then people, places and things after that, so that I don't drink over them. Willingness to make a decision and make the effort to do each Step thoroughly and to the best of my ability ... not perfectly. Willingness to just make progress and be happy with that. Willingness to let go of expectations. In Step Seven, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions talks about the fear of losing something we have, or not getting what we want. That's all about expectations and fear to me, so I have to let that stuff go and turn it over. Also my character defects; I have to be willing to be humble and know, that just like alcohol, I can't work and work to remove the desire or the defect. I have to be willing to be humble and to understand that only God can do that ... not me. I have to be willing to make the effort and be willing to let Him. I have to continue to be willing ... and willing and willing ... to do the Steps, go to meetings, share, carry the message and work with others. And the best part is that it's fun! Trudging can be fun when you're in good company and I am. AA members are not a glum lot. In my home group, we have some hilarious people, and it's good to laugh. I'm certainly willing to do that!

Thanks for letting me share. I'm grateful to God, the program, and all of you.