II

People sometimes ask why we chose the II in our name rather than the word ‘to’. The II comes from the numeric system of ancient Rome, which uses combinations of letters from the Latin alphabet to signify values. The numbers 1 to 10 can be expressed in Roman numerals as follows: I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, and X. The Roman numeral system does not include a zero. Meaning, the system does not start or even identify with zero. It starts at the number one and builds upon that number. Therefore the II can never be less than one but can grow beyond measure. It represents and signifies that even in our darkest hours, when addiction ran rampant in our lives, when we believed that all hope was lost, that we had nothing left… we were never a zero.

For it was because of that one remaining value, that one remaining drive, that one remaining relationship, that one remaining spark that the addict was able to discover the courage to build something more. The Roman numerals build upon one another through strength, conviction and momentum. They support the numbers below and the numbers above by constantly increasing value with the assurance that in our darkest hour there will always be something more.

Moving deeper into establishing relationships, the symbolism of II is kindness, balance, tact, equalization, and it beckons us to increase. The spiritual meaning within II deals with exchanges made with others; partnerships, relationships, ourself and our supreme Creator and calls us to unite with like-minds, and like-ideals.

You see, there lies the beauty of II as it offers choice and accountability made up of opposing dualities. Do you choose liberty or captivity, life or death, light or dark, scarcity or abundance…addiction or athletics? Thus, completing the circle of Erasing and Replacing for things of greater value.