ABCs of Recovery

[majestyjo]

A is for Attitude.  Be aware that it often needs to be adjusted.  I find it best to take it to my Higher Power and myself to a meeting, for me it is either AA or Al-Anon.

[majestyjo]

B is for Boundaries. Set them for your own protection. They can be set near and far and often have to be rebuilt because people ignore or step over them.

[majestyjo]

C is for Copy. This is not a Cop Cat program. You need to find out what works for you. We share our experience, strength and hope. It is suggested that you take what you can and find what works for you. It isn't always good to copy someone's actions that you find in the rooms of recovery. They they be heading out the door instead of moving forward.

[majestyjo]

D is for D.O.G. Dog stands for Divine Orderly Good. It doesn't matter if you don't believe in the God that others believe in. All you have to do is find a Higher Power that you can come to believe in, as long as it isn't you.



www.lilytherese.com/POWER1.HTM#Prairie Dog's Message and Medicine

[majestyjo]

E is for Everything. What do I need to change? Everything! Old patterns, behaviours, habits, and ways of living. I need to open my mind and be willing to accept other ideas and thoughts to enter my head and lower my expectations of myself and others.

[majestyjo]

F is for Forgive and Forget. We can forgive the person, even though it is often difficult to forgive and forget the action.

[majestyjo]

G is for Gratitude. Have it if you can. Just grateful to be sober is a good place to start. Gratitude is an action word, don't just say it, show it.



Bear Industrious, instinctive, healing, power, sovereignty, guardian of the world, watcher, courage, will power, self-preservation, introspection, and great strength

[majestyjo]

H is for Honesty. It still is the best policy. It is a principle that is need to work most of the Steps. You can't change what you are aware of or willing to admit to.

[majestyjo]

I is for It, what ever it may be. Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right. Love the ones who don't, just because you can. Believe everything happens for a reason. If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands. If it changes your life, let it. Kiss slowly. Forgive quickly. God never said life would be easy. He just promised it would be worth it!

[majestyjo]

J is for Journal. Keep a journal. I helps to get all those feelings out. It is a good way to stop internalizing and intellectualizing our feelings, bring them into the light and share with your sponsor, mentor, or minister.

[majestyjo]

K is for Keep coming back. I prefer to Keep Coming, so I don't have to come back. Back to meetings, back to working the program, keep reading the literature and keep up with prayer and meditation. Keep coming, there are no guarantees that you will live to come back.

[majestyjo]

L is for Let Go and Let God. I can't give it to my God if I insist on holding onto things. I often have to pray for the willingness to be willing to let go.

[majestyjo]

M is for More. Instead of more drugs and alcohol, I want more recovery in my life. The program has given me more than I could possibly imagine. Not money and wealth and always good health, but I have been given the freedom from bondage and the freedom to be myself, no matter where I am at in today. They gave me more tools to work with, so that I can apply the 12 Steps to all areas of my life.

[majestyjo]

N is for Need. My God meets my needs. When I get needy, I get greedy and always wanting more. When that happens I am into self instead of being God Centered and need to reconnect with the God of my understanding. When I look at what I don't have, instead of looking at what I do have, and be grateful, I am in my disease, blocking me from the Spirit of the Fellowship.

[majestyjo]

O is for Orange. Orange you glad you found this site. Orange you glad that we cover all facets of this disease. Orange you glad we are here for you. Someone was there for us and we are passing it forward.

[majestyjo]

P is for Patience. In order to practice patience, you get things in your life to tolerate. Be careful for what you ask for, you just might get it and you will wonder why. You will forget that you prayed and asked for it.

[majestyjo]

Q is for Quit. Quit old patterns and behaviours. Quit doing what you use to do or it just might lead you back to your drug of choice. Quit substituting other things, and you will find peace and serenity. Quit using all mind altering substance they are but a symptom of your dis-ease. Quit denying that the problem is you!

[majestyjo]

R is for Reason. They say we should reason things, I found that I have to do it with my sponsor. Me alone with me isn't always good. I have no one to point out the reasons not to do!

As my son told me many years ago. "Mother, why don't you go to your meeting. It doesn't make sense. Don't you always say you feel better if you go to a meeting. What reason do you have to stay home when you know you can go to a meeting and feel better.

[majestyjo]

S is for Serenity. Have it if you can. It helps to set boundaries and learn to detach from 'stuff' that is not yours. There is a slogan, "How Important Is It!" For me my serenity is very important and I need to guard it.

[majestyjo]

T is for Treasure. Treasure your sobriety. It is a real gift. How often do people get a second chance at life. In the Bible it says, "Lay up your treasure's in Heaven." Get involved in service, and you will be be truly rich here as well as to where ever you end up on the other side.