The unprepared or undisciplined cannot successfully bake a cake without ingredients and directions. Hell, even the prepared and disciplined sometimes mess up the quantities or times. In short, the cake demands precision to ensure consistency.
What does a cake have to do with sobriety, you ask? Everything! We come from a program that has worked for us and countless others. That program is called Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), and its foundation is a 12-step recovery plan. Did you catch that? There are not 12 bullets; there are 12 steps. And the steps were written to be tackled thoroughly and sequentially.
The book’s bold claim is that “rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path.” The path is found between the binds of the big book of Alcoholics Anonymous,
We have discussed alternatives in the market that desire the same outcome, sobriety, as AA does (Links are in the Resource Room for your investigation). We can only speak from our own experience of success that the 12 steps of AA. have had in our lives.
Here's the difference, however, between baking a cake and changing a life; the cake is complete and ready to consume, usually in less than two hours. The recipe for long-term sobriety calls for constant and long-term commitment and action.
Again, the recipe for successful recovery is all spelled out in the big book of Alcoholics Anonymous, and all you need to know is in the first 164 pages. It will probably take a couple of hours to read it through the first time and a lifetime to consume and practice the depth of the text.
Why don’t you commit to baking a cake while reading some pages as you treat yourself, journeying to a better destination?
And here is the icing on the cake:
The best thing that cake has to offer is frosting. We don't know about you, but we save ours to savor last.
The icing and the cake of recovery it's a sense of peace and serenity. Why use both words when they are so similar? The answer is “the same reason one would use white sugar and brown sugar in the same recipe- They are just different enough to make a distinction in the outcome.
Peace, by definition, is “freedom from disturbance; tranquility.” Real peace translates into a physical environment free of chaos, disarray, and intense stress. In general, peace is a life void of the madness associated with all the negative that is “caused” by life outside recovery. Think calm, peaceful lake.
Serenity is, by definition, “the state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled.” Absolute serenity translates into a mental state free of worry, remorse, and intense anguish. In general, serenity is a mind at ease. Think soothing nap-state.
Enjoy your slice of heaven on earth!
Thoughts and ideas for this blog post were taken and built upon from sober.coffee podcast #3 Titled: “Step 3 - Made a Decision” The podcast dropped on 4/21/2021 click here to hear the podcast
Photo by Calum Lewis on Unsplash
BLOG DISCLAIMER:
Alcoholics Anonymous and AA are registered trademarks of Alcoholics World Service. Inc. References to AA, the 12 steps, and 12 traditions does not mean that AA has reviewed or approved the contents of this publication, nor that AA agrees with the views expressed herein. This publication is intended to support personal growth and should not be thought of as a substitute for advice of healthcare professionals. The authors advice and viewpoints are their own.
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