We had a small meeting tonight because of single digit weather. There were only 9 of us, but we had a good meeting.

Step Three - Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.

There he is, God! Oh no! It was pointed out that doing this step does not involve tambourines, monasteries, or anything like that. It is a committed decision to proceed with the rest of the AA program, to try a different way of life. Most of us mentioned that we were at a point where we were ready to try a different approach to life, to try to get what the other experienced AAs had. Some of us started with Good Orderly Direction, or a Group Of Drunks (AA) as a higher power, and Ed has stayed with that for 16 happy years. So, everyone can clear this hurdle. Most of us shared how our faith has changed over the years.

We discussed how diverse our group is, with Catholics, former Catholics, a Protestant minister, two Buddhists, two Atheists, a few Agnostics, and several non-denominational God believers. I shared how I came in a church member, and discovered I didn't really believe in the basic articles of faith the religion calls for. I am now a deist. Another member shared how he came in defiant because of a fire and brimstone childhood, but has become a Catholic now. AA is a big tent. It doesn't matter what you believe, just that you follow your true beliefs, and work the rest of the steps.

One of our Atheists had a heart attack last weekend, he is recovering. We passed around a card for him. I also had a heart attack a few years ago, and shared how laying on the gurney signing consent forms, turning my will and life over to Dr. Goyal and his cardiac catheter, was similar to my first time with step three. I was in pain and scared, so I decided to allow myself to be helped. With AA, I was also in pain and scared. It was about being willing to follow through with the rest of the steps, and to begin to make life decisions on an altruistic basis.

Continuing the heart attack analogy, today I did not exercise, and ate junk. But I am not in severe pain, fearing for my life. Same with step three, at this point in my sobriety (18 years) I can get by on my own will in most areas, instead of doing the things I really know I need to do. But I've come a long way, I didn't drink today, or cause a lot of harm to others.

There is a great freedom in step three, and great strength. After I have aligned my will with my beliefs, I can proceed boldly, knowing I am doing what I should be doing. I can proceed without trying to manipulate outcomes, I can do my part and leave the rest to Providence. I have confidence and a feeling of well being.

-Chuck, Vegetarian fanboy