Over the years many people have tried to analyze the 12 Step program and the Twelve Step movement in America. I recently read that Bill Wilson was one of Time Magazine’s most important 100 people of the last century. I think that he knew better than anyone that the real miracle of the program was not so much the fact that chronic alcoholics could learn to stay sober one day at a time but the fact that the alcoholic, self-centered in the extreme could get outside of himself long enough to care about another alcoholic. This self forgetting is the real miracle and the basis on which our program was founded. It is where we connect with God through love.
Bill floundered for a long time until he put this principle into effect when he met Dr. Bob. By helping Bob he was able to help himself and arrest his disease. As the two continued helping other alcoholics our program grew. Its growth was due to the success of this principle of getting outside of ourselves and helping another. Over the years the program has grown with millions of lives changed for the better all over the world. The principle has been adopted by addicts, gamblers, over-eaters and countless other addiction and behavioral problems.
As the program grew so did the tools of recovery. The Twelve Steps, the Twelve Traditions, the Big Book, many types of meetings, the slogans; a whole spiritual way of life was laid out for us. I have often said that none of these things hooked me in to AA in the beginning. What did hook me was the simple act of kindness offered to me by a stranger who understood the founding principle that Bill had discovered many years ago. He held out his hand and welcomed me to my first meeting and the next night remembered my name!
There is an unwritten legacy in our program that comes in the form of suggestions not found in our books. One of these suggestions was taught to me early on by an old Boston sponsor. He told me to do three kind acts a day and not tell anyone. This forced me outside of myself and reduced my ego all at the same time. He was a clever old timer.
Over the years I must admit that at times I forget about my old sponsor’s suggestion. But like all good advice that I received it became a part of the foundation of my program. It is now a barometer of my peace of mind. When I practice it I feel great. When I don’t I’m into my “ism”: “I,self,me”. The new year gives me a chance to refresh my program and start doing three a day. Give it a try!