In preparing to comment on the final step from the Twelve Steps of AA, the commonly expressed quote, “People are creatures of habit.” occurred to me. Researching the source of this oft-expressed idea, the trail led to Aristotle. The Greek philosopher identified “habit” as one of man’s basic motivations for their behavior. For better or worse, all of us are engaged in patterned conduct; we do what we do repeatedly. The concept of inertia underscores the difficulty that we all face in trying to generate a positive course direction. That is the bad news. The good news is that, once initiated, positive change receives the benefit of inertia as well. But back to the 12th step, which is as follows:
Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
As we’ve stated before, the principles of AA transcend their application to those in recovery from alcohol. It can be said that we are all addicted to something; we all are creatures of habit. In earlier editions, we shared the wisdom of William Glasser who explained that an addiction is simply synonymous with a need. Sick and dysfunctional individuals are trapped in a cycle of unhealthy behavior. Functional people follow a pattern of positive conduct that also becomes a matter of routine as well. Essentially, those we identify as negatively addicted are stuck in a cycle, a habit, of unhealthy and self-defeating behavior. Healthy people repeat the behaviors of giving and receiving love, achieving useful goals, having life affirming fun, and disciplining ourselves for our own good.
The essence of the 12th Step of AA, the last message from this font of wisdom, involves others for the first time. While the first eleven steps provide guidelines for our own betterment, the final step invites us to form the habit of helping others: to extend our learning of the other steps outside ourselves.
So what are your habits? What have you learned or developed over the years that could be shared with others? Glasser tells us that we gain equally from helping others and from allowing others to assist us. It is human symbiosis.
In concluding our examination of the 12 Steps, let’s develop the habit of service. It is truly a gift that you give yourself.