“It is one thing to have nice things; it is another to keep them nice. And a spiritual awakening is a nice thing to have.”

Spiritual Awakening in AA

I was at an AA meeting. It was a speaker meeting. The man at the podium shared. The opening line was the above quote.

After that line, he said, “I am not very active in the program. This is only the second time I have shared my story; my experience, strength and hope.”

The last time, almost two years ago, I prepared notes for my talk. To prepare for this evening, I looked for my notes and found them in a filing cabinet in the garage. They were all chewed up; mice had gotten to my experience, my strength, and my hope.

Keeping Spiritual Awakening Fresh With Practical 12-Step Work

“The penny dropped when I saw mouse-chewed notes. I realized my program was in the same state as my notes. I was not paying attention to my spiritual awakening, and the mice of life were nibbling at my soul. I was not doing any 12‑Step work, my prayer and meditation practice was pitiful, and it had been a long time since inventory taking was continuous.”

He continued, “So, getting ready for this evening, I was reminded that spiritual awakenings take work, and to maintain them requires more work and close attention.

“Even Bill Wilson, after his white-light experience, had to work with others, think about spiritual issues, and take regular inventories. He had to pray and meditate and remove defects of character. He had to work to keep his spiritual awakening fresh and alive. And if Bill Wilson had to do this, sure as hell I have to.”

It was a good lesson for us all. It is one thing to have nice things; it is another to keep them nice.

Lessons & Action Steps

Key takeaways:

• Spiritual awakenings are not one-off events — they require ongoing attention.
• Small neglects grow: the “mice of life” image shows how tiny lapses nibble away at recovery.
• Bill W.’s experience shows even founders continued to work the program.

Practical, repeatable actions:

• Schedule weekly inventory time (10–30 minutes): note gratitude, slip-ups, and actions.
• Re-establish a daily prayer/meditation habit (start 5–10 minutes and build).
• Commit to at least one service or sponsorship contact per week (phone, meeting, coffee).
• Keep recovery materials (notes, readings) in one safe place — treat them as living documents.
• When you notice neglect, take immediate small steps: call a sponsor, go to a meeting, do a short prayer.

Books to Support Your Twelve Step Journey

If you’re looking to explore Step work, spiritual awakening, and personal transformation more deeply, check out The GEMS Series: 12-Step Shares, Notes and Thoughts. These books offer insights, reflections, and real-life recovery experience that complement the journey through the Twelve Steps.

The books in The GEMS Series: 12-Step Shares, Notes and Thoughts can be purchased through my estore or the major online book retailers. Look for GEMS, More GEMS, Still More GEMS, and More GEMS Revealed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What does “spiritual awakening” mean in AA?
A1: In AA it typically refers to a profound change in outlook or perception of self and life, often experienced after working the Steps; maintenance of that awakening requires ongoing spiritual practice.

Q2: Why compare chewed notes to a faltering program?
A2: The chewed notes are a vivid metaphor: neglect causes gradual deterioration. The image helps readers see small lapses that can undermine recovery.

Q3: What practical steps can I take today to protect my awakening?
A3: Start with 5–10 minutes of daily prayer/meditation, schedule a weekly inventory, make one service call a week, and reconnect with a sponsor or meeting.

Q4: Is it normal to stop sharing at meetings?
A4: Yes. Many members go through seasons of inactivity. The important part is noticing it and taking small steps to reconnect.

Q5: How often did Bill W. practice inventory and spiritual work?
A5: Bill W. emphasized ongoing spiritual work—prayer, meditation, fellowship, and self-examination were continuous practices in his life.

Q6: Can reading recovery books help maintain my spiritual life?
A6: Yes. Books offer perspectives, guidance, and daily readings that can reinforce practice and provide structure for action steps.

Q7: Who should read this post?
A7: Anyone in recovery who’s experienced complacency, newcomers learning maintenance, sponsors, or meeting leaders seeking a short share.

Q8: How can sponsors use this article?
A8: Share it at meetings, use the “Lessons & Action Steps” as a meeting topic, or assign action steps to sponsees for a week.

Related posts