We absolutely do not have to wait for times of torment or being on some kind of spiritual skid row to resort to contemplation.

Step Eleven is deserving of taking a look at one small piece at a time. By itself, we see that the first half directs us to strengthen our relationship with our Higher Power through the use of contemplation and meditation. Let’s start by looking at contemplation.
Prayer is us talking to our Higher Power but it is also us talking to ourselves. We are interrupting a certain pattern of thought and/or behavior. We dig deep to ask for help or to express gratitude. We are saying – I am not alone and I cannot do it alone. We look beyond ourselves for guidance, trusting in some Universal Benevolence.
We absolutely do not have to wait for times of torment or being on some kind of spiritual skid row to resort to contemplation. Just like one doesn’t have to wait for obesity or a heart attack to start exercising. In fact, lacking exercise is part of what led to the weight or other health problems, and not having a consistent connection with our Higher Power may very well have contributed to the depths to which our addictions took us. Step Eleven shows us how good it feels to exercise our spiritual contemplation every day -we get to the point where we don’t have to do it. We want to do it.

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