SyƐƭtoƐư of a SpiƕƌƱƲal AwaƎƈƫƦnƊ I was told that AA is a spiritual program, not a religious program. However in early sobriety, I still struggled with the idea of God and really wondered if this program will work for me. Through the help of my sponsor in step 2 and 3, I eventually identified God as Love, which encompasses qualities of kindness, compassion and forgiveness. However, the concept of having a spiritual awakening really only started to sink in when I went to a meeting in Bangkok where they shared the 12 signs of a spiritual awakening without God. I then realized that this has come true for me. 12 SyƐƭtoƐư of a SpiƕƌƱƲal AwaƎƈƫƦnƊ 1. An increased tendency to let things happen rather than make them happen. 2. Frequent attacks of smiling. 3. Feelings of being connected with others and nature. 4. Frequent overwhelming episodes of appreciation. 5. A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than from fears based on past experience. 6. An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment. 7. A loss of ability to worry. 8. A loss of interest in conflict. 9. A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others. 10. A loss of interest in judging others. 11. A loss of interest in judging self. 12. Gaining the ability to love without expecting anything.

My 2nd Spiritual Awakening was going to a meeting in NYC 70’s on the East Side.. I just got out of Rhinebeck, NY rehab starting my AA Program. ‘GETTING sober, y’all ‘ I had it going on. The speaker was from a state that grew corn. Kansas, Iowa, Missouri. I don’t remember the state or her first name. But I will never forget how she started her share. She could changed her name, changed the style of clothes to wear even her sex today. But she could never change being an alcoholic and to know that, she was ‘grateful’. From that evening meeting on the Eastside till now this is why I have announced myself at AA Meetings as a grateful Alcoholic. My 3rd Spiritual Awakening was at Gracie Square Hospital, NYC, NY. My Straight Sponsor wanted me to branch out in AA and start attending GAY Meetings since I worked in The City. I lived 45 miles away in Freeport on Long Island. He told me to go to Gracie Square on Wednesday for 800 pm Gay Meeting. I don’t remember this speaker’s first name either. He was from New Jersey though. He started his share by saying “AA was for people who believed in God. AA is for people who do not believe in God and AA is for people who think they are GOD! I SAID to myself, I am in the right place. I’ve been attending Gay AA Fellowship ever since. I BELONG. If it has an ‘A’ on the end of it, I belong. I have had several more Spiritual Awakenings in my 41 years of continuous sobriety. Each one was magical leaving me with such a calmness and peace of mind. Finally, I BELONG AND FELT APART OF SOMETHING GREATER THAT MYSELF. Being a grateful Alcoholic. ~ TonyT