Below are my own, personalized Twelve Steps which were carefully selected and crafted with help from The Little Book.  Please visit the blog for a more in-depth look at how each step changed to encourage introspection, encouragement and positive action.

The Twelve Steps

1. I can no longer deny that I have an addiction. I fully admit that my addiction made me feel powerless, and that my choices and decisions while unaware or in denial of my addiction were destructive.
   ___
2. I believe that a power within myself in tandem with supports and strengths beyond my own awareness and resources can restore me to a healthier, more balanced, and positive state of mind, body and soul.
   ____
3. I make the decision to allow myself to be helped by rational and realistic thinking within my own mind, the collective wisdom of those who have struggled with the same problem, and those in support of me.
   ___
4. I will make a realistic and rational evaluation of my thoughts, feelings and behaviors, as well as my strengths and weaknesses. I choose not to permit problems of guilt or shame to overwhelm me, rather to focus on personal growth and acceptance.
   ___
5. I admit to myself, and to another person that I so choose, the exact nature of the negative, injurious aspects of my thinking and behavior.
   ___
6. I am entirely ready to identify those personal characteristics that shaped my life and accept that they need to change. I will focus on healing, abolishing self-blame and shame, and understanding the boundaries of my responsibilities.
   ___
7. I embrace introspection and humility to identify my shortcomings, and with openness I seek personal growth rather than perfection in alleviating these shortcomings.
   ___
8. I will make a list of all persons I have harmed, or been harmed by and will become willing to explore my feelings regarding those harms.
   ___
9. I will do everything I can to make amends and give the opportunity of receiving amends, except when to do so would put myself or others at risk for further harm.
   ___
10. I will continue sincere and meaningful self-evaluation by remaining mindful of my mental, verbal and physical actions, striving for personal betterment. When my thoughts, feelings or behaviors are not in keeping with my newfound self-awareness, I will promptly admit it.
    ___
11. Through meditation and journaling, I will continually seek to clarify and improve my own judgement and awareness. I will also seek to consider the best direction and purpose my life can take.
    ___
12. Having had progress towards a realistic and rational self-awareness, acceptance and insight, I will strive to maintain compassion for both myself and others, sharing any accomplishments I might have made through practicing these steps. I will continue to practice these principles in all areas of my life, and be willing to share these principles with others who think they may gain from them.

_____________________

Please take these steps as AA originally intended: suggestions.  These steps, as well as the original AA official steps, do not guarantee recovery and are not an adequate substitute for medical or psychological care.