Parking Lot Serenity (PLSA)

Parking Lot Serenity (PLSA)

12 steps

1. We admitted we were powerless over frustration, heat, traffic, and life’s dead-ends — that our serenity had parked itself somewhere else.

2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could help us find an exit route.

3. Made a decision to turn our will, our GPS, and our parking spot over to the care of that Higher Power.

4. Made a searching and fearless inventory of all the emotional road rage, resentment, and impatience we carried.

5. Admitted to our Higher Power, ourselves, and another person the full list of emotional potholes and speed bumps we’ve created.

6. Became entirely ready to have our Higher Power fix our busted brakes and faulty attitudes.

7. Humbly asked our Higher Power to take away our emotional flat tires and replace them with grace.

8. Made a list of all persons we had blocked in, cut off, or honked at — and became willing to make amends.

9. Made direct amends wherever possible, except when to do so would cause a bigger wreck.

10. Continued to check our mirrors and our emotional blind spots, and when we were wrong, promptly signaled and corrected course.

11. Sought through reflection and prayer to improve our conscious contact with our Higher Power, asking only for better navigation and serenity.

12. Having had a spiritual tow-truck moment as a result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to others stuck in life’s parking lots, and to practice these principles in all our lanes.

13th Step Safeguard

In Parking Lot Serenity, we respect each other’s space — emotional, physical, and spiritual. This is not the dating lot.

 🚫 Using recovery spaces to pursue romantic or sexual relationships, especially with newcomers, risks both people stalling their recovery.

 If your serenity depends on someone else's phone number — your parking brake’s off.

 Let’s keep this space safe, respectful, and focused on recovery — we came here to grow, not to pick up passengers.

12 Traditions

1. Our common purpose comes first; personal agendas yield to the group’s direction.

2. For our group’s purpose, there is but one ultimate authority — a Power greater than faulty parking meters and traffic jams.

3. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop letting frustration and resentment run our lives.

4. Each group is autonomous, except in matters affecting Parking Lot Serenity as a whole.

5. Each group has but one primary purpose — to carry the message of serenity to those stuck circling life’s lots.

6. A PLS group never endorses outside businesses, towing companies, or lot-cleaning services, lest we lose our focus.

7. Every group should be fully self-supporting, declining free parking that comes with strings.

8. Parking Lot Serenity should remain non-professional, but we may employ janitors, lot attendants, and coffee makers.

9. PLS, as such, ought never be organized, but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.

10. PLS has no opinion on outside issues — asphalt politics, HOA disputes, and noise complaints — lest we lose our serenity.

11. Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we don’t need flashy signs to show serenity.

12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of our traditions, reminding us to park our egos before entering.

12 Promises

1. We will know a new freedom and relief from traffic jams — literal and emotional.

2. We will not regret past breakdowns, nor shut the door on parking lot learning moments.

3. We will comprehend the word 'serenity' — even when the sun's blazing down at 115°F.

4. We will know peace, whether or not we find a close parking space.

5. No situation will baffle us as much as it used to — cones, tickets, or life’s detours.

6. We will suddenly realize that patience, not panic, steers us through life’s lots.

7. We will lose our fear of heat, honking, and hopelessness.

8. We will intuitively know how to handle sticky situations — whether it's a traffic jam or a heated conversation.

9. We will recognize that our Higher Power is better at directing traffic than we ever were.

10. Gratitude will replace grumbling when we see how far we’ve come.

11. We will learn to accept detours as opportunities for growth.

12. We will feel the sun on our face, the asphalt under our feet, and still find serenity.

Slogans

• “Easy does it — especially in reverse.”

• “One day, one parking space at a time.”

• “Progress, not perfection — even with parallel parking.”

• “Keep your lane clean.”

• “If you’re running hot, pull over.”

• “Let go and let the lot attendant (Higher Power) guide you.”

• “Feelings aren’t facts — and neither is the size of the lot.”

• “Pause when agitated, signal when confused.”

• “We park our egos at the curb.”

Acronyms

• PLS = Parking Lot Serenity

• HOT = Halt, Observe, Think (Before reacting)

• LOT = Let Others Try (Don’t control everything)

• CAR = Courage, Acceptance, Reflection

• PARK = Pause, Acknowledge, Release, Keep moving

• SUN = Serenity Under Nagging conditions

Serenity Prayer

Higher Power, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot parallel park, The courage to straighten out the things I can, And the wisdom to know when to circle the block.

PRAY: List of Prayers

• Acceptance Prayer: “Help me accept heat, crowds, delays, and all things beyond my control.”

• Patience Prayer: “Grant me patience for others, myself, and life’s parking lot lessons.”

• Humility Prayer: “Help me remember I’m not in charge of the parking lot — or the world.”

What Needs to Be Talked About

☑️ How frustration on the lot mirrors frustration in life

 ☑️ The illusion of control (traffic, people, timing)

 ☑️ The heat as a metaphor for life's discomforts

 ☑️ Resentment when we feel 'stuck' — literal or emotional

 ☑️ Learning to park our emotions before reacting

 ☑️ Letting go of road rage — in cars, relationships, and recovery

 ☑️ The danger of “running hot” without self-awareness

 ☑️ Finding serenity in the most inconvenient, uncomfortable moments

Categorized Breakdown

Category	Why It Fits	Other Possible Categories
Recovery/12-Step	Core structure based on AA traditions	Emotional Resilience, Relapse Prevention
Emotional Wellness	Tools for anger, frustration, heat-related stress	Stress Management, Mindfulness Programs
Reentry Support	Especially relevant for halfway house participants	Transitional Programs, Returning Citizens
Workplace Wellness	Parking lot jobs, uniforms, dealing with authority	Labor Support, Volunteer Program Support
Community Support	Shared experiences reduce isolation	Peer Groups, Support Networks
Humor & Relatability	Approachability increases participation	Lighthearted Recovery, Creative Recovery

step work

For each step, reflect, write, and explore — no judgment, just honesty.

Step 1: Powerlessness & Parking Brake Moments

We admitted we were powerless over frustration, heat, traffic, and life’s dead-ends — that our serenity had parked itself somewhere else.

✅ Where in life do I keep circling the same lot, expecting different results?✅ When have I let anger, impatience, or control attempts block my serenity?✅ How has my environment (heat, halfway house, people) affected my mood?✅ What happens when I try to "force" situations instead of accepting them?✅ Can I admit that sometimes, I’m the one blocking my own exit?

Step 2: Belief in a Better GPS

Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could help us find an exit route.

✅ Do I believe there’s a “higher lane” than frustration?✅ What does a Power greater than me look like? (Spiritual, practical, community?)✅ How has trying to do it alone failed me?✅ What signs have shown me there's another way?✅ Am I willing to believe there's a route to serenity?

Step 3: Turning Over the Keys

Made a decision to turn our will, our GPS, and our parking spot over to the care of that Higher Power.

✅ What would life look like if I stopped trying to control everything?✅ What fears come up about letting go?✅ Where am I still gripping the steering wheel too tight?✅ How can I practice trust — even in small ways?✅ Am I ready to let my Higher Power help me navigate?

Step 4: Emotional Traffic Report

Made a searching and fearless inventory of all the emotional road rage, resentment, and impatience we carried.

✅ Who or what do I resent? Why?✅ What fears fuel my reactions?✅ What patterns keep me stuck in life’s emotional traffic?✅ How have I contributed to my own frustration?✅ Where do I need to clean up my side of the street — or lot?

Step 5: Confessing the Potholes

Admitted to our Higher Power, ourselves, and another person the full list of emotional potholes and speed bumps we’ve created.

✅ Am I ready to be honest — even about the ugly stuff?✅ Who can I trust with my truth?✅ How do I feel about admitting my flaws?✅ What’s the payoff of getting honest — even if it’s uncomfortable?

Step 6: Ready for Repairs

Became entirely ready to have our Higher Power fix our busted brakes and faulty attitudes.

✅ What character defects are holding me back?✅ Do I really want to let them go — or am I still parked in comfort?✅ How has holding onto defects (anger, pride, control) blocked my growth?✅ What would life feel like without these emotional flat tires?

Step 7: Humbly Asking for Assistance

Humbly asked our Higher Power to take away our emotional flat tires and replace them with grace.

✅ Am I willing to ask for help?✅ How does humility show up in my life (or not)?✅ What does it mean to accept grace?✅ What would it look like to navigate life with less ego?

Step 8: Making the List — Who’d I Block In?

Made a list of all persons we had blocked in, cut off, or honked at — and became willing to make amends.

✅ Who have I hurt — directly or indirectly?✅ Who have I emotionally “cut off” or blocked?✅ Who deserves an honest effort to make things right?✅ Am I willing to take accountability?

Step 9: Clearing the Lot — Making Amends

Made direct amends wherever possible, except when to do so would cause a bigger wreck.

✅ Who can I safely make amends to?✅ What actions can demonstrate my growth?✅ Where is it better to make living amends (changing behavior)?✅ How do I handle rejection if they’re not ready?✅ How does making amends free up my serenity?

Step 10: Daily Check — Mirrors & Blind Spots

Continued to check our mirrors and our emotional blind spots, and when we were wrong, promptly signaled and corrected course.

✅ What resentment or frustration popped up today?✅ Did I react poorly? How can I correct it?✅ What did I do well today?✅ Am I seeing my own blind spots?✅ How can I show up with more awareness tomorrow?

Step 11: Tuning the GPS — Prayer & Reflection

Sought through reflection and prayer to improve our conscious contact with our Higher Power, asking only for better navigation and serenity.

✅ How do I communicate with my Higher Power?✅ What happens when I actually pause to listen?✅ What areas of life need better navigation?✅ How can I invite serenity into tough situations?✅ Am I willing to keep practicing this daily?

Step 12: Carrying the Message — Lot to Lot

Having had a spiritual tow-truck moment as a result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to others stuck in life’s parking lots, and to practice these principles in all our lanes.

✅ How has my life changed since working the Steps?✅ How can I help others stuck in frustration, heat, or hopelessness?✅ What does “practicing these principles” look like daily?✅ How can I stay humble and grounded while carrying the message?✅ Am I ready to keep circling the lot — this time with purpose and peace?