About

HOW THIS SITE CAME TO BE

I created this site originally for my sponsees to use as I was teaching them how to take the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (so they could teach others to take them – effectively to “make new sponsors”).  Being a web designer, I thought it might be a quick and easy way for them to access the work we were doing.

After several years of having the site up, I started paying attention to the site’s analytics and noticed it was being used by a whole bunch more people than that.  After realizing that people all over the world were using it (as far away as China), I decided in May 2020 it was time for a refresh to make it even more useful.

Reminder:

This site is only one drunk’s experience with A.A.’s Three Legacies.  It is by no means the definitive answer to them, just one man’s experience that has kept him sober (happy, joyous and free) since 11/17/87.  If you are reading this, you likely are looking for a deeper, richer, experience of our Three Legacies and I hope you find it here.

Disclaimer

This website contains references from various sources (primarily A.A. conference approved literature) but is NOT affiliated with Alcoholics Anonymous in any way. The information shared on this site was compiled through one A.A. member’s experience from all of the sources they’ve used to learn how to take the 12 Steps of A.A. Many thanks to every source that helped this member recover from a “seemingly hopeless state of mind and body.”

How I Came Up With The Name

I’ve sat in A.A. meetings for years hearing people talking about “working the Steps.”  While I am happy to hear people are cracking the book, our literature specially calls out “taking” the Steps, not working them.  It may be nothing more than a distinction without a difference, but somewhere along the way on my journey the words on the page began to take on new meaning for me.

“If you have decided you want what we have and are willing to go to any length to get it – then you are ready to take certain steps.” Alcoholics Anonymous, Page 58 (4th Edition), “How It Works”

“Studying” the Steps…
“Working” the Steps…
“Reviewing” the Steps…
Not bad things in and of themselves, but not the same as TAKING THEM.

Definition of “Taking”: (verb) to get into one’s hold or possession by voluntary action, to hold, grasp, or grip

Thank you for taking the time to visit my site.  May God bless you on your journey of recovery.

“When We Got Busy – We Got Better!”

As I've Often Heard

“Old behavior isn’t old behavior if I’m still doing it.”

My Mama Always Told Me

“If ya spot it – ya got it!””

Don't Ever Forget

“We're not IN the program – We're IN the Fellowship.”