Third Step in ACA Big Book

[Apel Mjausson]

I had a hard time with the text in the ACA Big Book. It was hard to understand. Part of it was the alienation of translation the G-word, but part of it was also that it was rambling. It needed editing for clarity. So I typed most of it out and moved sentences around, replaced the G-word with "Goddess", Paganified and generally cleaned it up so I could understand it. It makes a lot more sense now.

Here's an excerpt to show the difference:

Original
Whatever we choose to call our Higher Power, we make a decision to turn our will and life over to the care of its on a daily basis. We turn over everything without bargaining with God as we understand God. We don't release some things to a Higher Power and hold onto others. If we struggle with turning over our will and life to a Higher Power, we can begin by turning over our self-hate, self-doubt or fear. We can ask God to take our compulsions, resentments, and learned rage. Some of us will work up to turning over our will and life to the of God. This is a process that we learn to trust.


My Pagan Version
Whatever we choose to call our Higher Power, we make a decision to turn our will and life over to the care of Her on a daily basis. We turn over everything without bargaining with the Goddess. We don't release some things to a Higher Power and hold onto others. If we struggle with turning over our will and life to a Higher Power, we can begin by turning over our self-hate, self-doubt or fear. We can ask the Goddess to take our compulsions, resentments, and learned rage. Some of us will work up to turning over our will and life to the of the Goddess. This is a process that we learn to trust.

To me reading it with the Pagan translation already in place makes a huge difference emotionally. Suddenly the text speaks to me and has direct impact on me. It was a lot of work but worth it for this crucial step.

I also wanted to share my Pagan executive summary of the ACA Third Step:
I can't, the Goddess can, I'll let Her
The Third Step is about letting go of control. Control is not binary. Rather it is measured on a continuum. So we can allow ourselves to let go in a slow and gradual process. As we do so, we open up to the inexhaustible love and assistance of the Goddess. Paradoxically, the process of letting go of control, allows us greater discernment and thereby creates stronger boundaries in our lives.

B*B,
--Apel

[Peterwolfe]

It all sounds good to me..........especially 'turning over' fear. Someone once told me that if you turn something over........you also need to 'let it go'..........otherwise, it's just upside down.
BB,
P-wolfe

[Freydis]

Funny that you should mention upside-down. When I am releasing/ letting go/ surrendering, I open my hands as if to receive, then turn my hands palm down, still open. It feels like whatever I am holding just falls away. Feels right, reinforces the intention with a physical act. 

Bright blessings,
Freydis

[Peterwolfe]

Freydis,
 Awesome.........gestures can be powerful.
BB,
P-wolfe