why everTwelve

In early days, chips are soooo motivating — we keep going to meetings just to get the next one. And then with each anniversary, we get a big round of applause, congratulations, and a medallion. What’s not to love?

Interestingly and unfortunately, getting chips doesn’t encourage us to do the twelve steps. And that’s really where the action is: without the step framework to understand alcoholism and our personal causes and conditions thereof, we are much more likely to relapse.

Working with other women, I found myself wanting to recognize their incredible courage and hard work. At the “big steps,” I’d write cards, give gifts, bake cakes, whatever felt like an appropriate gesture of YAHOO! Way to go! You are AMAZING!

All of us come in broken, scared, and confused. With each step we get a little more insight and a sense of accomplishment. We start to realize — wait, I do have something to offer this world.

On top of the benefits of staying sober, with each step we become better and better versions of ourselves, we develop gratitude for everything, and we live big, awesome lives.

This is what we celebrate with everTwelve.