ABCs of Recovery

[Lin]

U is for UP. When I need an answer I look UP to my HP for guidance. I know there is no problem I will face today that HE and i can't handle!

LIN

[majestyjo]

V is for Very important person. That is me, I deserve recovery. I am given victory over my dis-ease, if I apply the program to my life. How important is it? It is very important when it comes to my sobriety (soundness of mind).

[majestyjo]

W is for Worthy. I am worthy of recovery. I am worthy of respect, but it is something that I must earn, it just isn't given because I think I am due. I have to respect myself before I can expect someone else to respect me.

I can't base my self-worth on the opinions of others. I can't take their words as gospel and I can't take it personal, I must remember, I am a Child of God and a worthwhile human being. He/She put me on this planet for a reason. I didn't know I had a purpose until I found AA. Before that I was searching and searching for that 'something' and even if I thought I found it, it didn't last and wasn't what I wanted in the long run.

[majestyjo]

X is for EXtreme. Some people go to extremes, they are still in the extreme highs and lows of early recovery. I found that I was able to find a sense of balance and no longer had those peaks and valleys, they were so easy to fall into, when I found myself depressed.

I am so grateful that the program is applicable to all areas of my life. Depression is part of the grieving process and is normal. There was no need to eXtra pills or do eXtra eXercise for me, I talked and communicated with my doctor, my sponsor, my spiritual advisor, and my God. Every time there is change in our lives we go through a grieving process. No need for eXtreme emotions, when they happen, I surrender them to my Higher Power. I can't, my God can.

The best cure for any emotion or situation is to get out of Self.

[majestyjo]

Y is for Yield. Yield not into temptation. Yield yourself to this simple program. We are complicated people who try to complicate things. Don't drink, go to meetings, get a sponsor, and get active working the Steps, applying the Traditions, and get active in service.

You may not have don't 'it' yet, what ever 'it' is, but if you continue to use and relapse, you just might find yourself there.

[majestyjo]

Z is for Zero. As it says in the Big Book, when our score card read zero, we found our way to AA. When we stop using, we have a big void in our life. It seems like a very big zero and we don't know what to do with it. I had to fill mine with spiritual things, not substitute with other substances.

[majestyjo]

A is for Attitude. What needs to be changed within me and my attitude? Everything!

[majestyjo]

B is for Boundaries. Set them for your own protection. If they are knocked down, reaffirm them and set them a little closer. Affirm your worth, you deserve love and respect. The love is unconditional. Respect often has to be earned. Boundaries help with that.  If you don't like hugs, say, "I don't do hugs."  If you meet someone new, don't invade their space; ask "Do you do hugs?  Would you like one?  You look like you could use a hug, would you like one."

[majestyjo]

C is for Count. Count your blessings, and as the song goes, instead of sheep. Many times we can't go to sleep. If our mind is busy, look at the positive things in your day. Those times when your God stepped in and did for you or paved the way to where you needed to be.

It says God could restore us to sanity, it doesn't say He would!

[majestyjo]

D is for Divine. Look for the Divine Orderly Good, it can be found in everyone, if we just look for it. I call it the God/Dog Syndrome. It doen't matter if your belief is different from others, it is about what works for you.

[majestyjo]

E is for Edit. Listen and learn. Learn to listen. Then edit what you hear and evaluate it as to whether it would work for you. They say, "Take what you need and leave the rest." Take what you need and put it on a shelf. A friend once told me, "Take what you need and what you don't need, you may be able to pass it on to someone who needs it.

Edit your words. Words can hurt.

[majestyjo]

F is for First Things First. Without my sobriety (soundness of mind), I have nothing. It must come before family and friends. If I don't have me, I am back in my dis-ease, which sets me up for a relapse.

[majestyjo]

G is for Great. When I think of the word, I think of the song which was often sung by George Beverly Shay. Carrie Underwood sings it well too.

So many people now are saying, "Have a great day!" It is good to isolate those not so good moments, and not let them spoil the whole day.

My God is Good. My God is Great. Hope yours is too. I hope you have an open mind and allow your God to work in all areas of your life.

This is a good example. I said the 3rd and 7th Step prayers before beginning to post. I wrote the text, then went to Angelwinks.CA the site that I have used for many years for pictures, and found this at the bottom of the page.

[majestyjo]

H is for Hope. The 12 Promises gave me hope. They made me want to come back and get the first one, "We will know a new freedom and a new happiness." I hadn't been happy for a long time. The laughter in the rooms gave me hope. I wanted what the people had. The people didn't drink and yet they were happy. I later did find out that laughter is often a mask we use to cover up our pain with the hope that someone will notice or fool ourselves and think they won't know because you are putting on a brave front.

[majestyjo]

I is for Intent. What is your motive and intent. Is it for the Higher Good of all. When you're in doubt, look at what your intentions are. If your intentions are good, I believe it is God's Will for you. For me it is important to do God's Will for my life, in today.

[majestyjo]

J is for Judge. Judge not lest you be judged. If you haven't walked in someone else's shoes, how can you judge them. Remember every time you point a finger, you have three coming back at you.

Don't be too hard on yourself. We can be our own worst enemby by being too judgmental of ourselves.  Don't judge yourself, affirm yourself.  You are a child of God, an Earth Angel.

[majestyjo]

K is for Keep coming back. Keep coming so you don't have to come back. Keep coming, don't leave before the miracle happens. Keep bringing the body and the mind will follow. Keep sayiing the Serenity Prayer and you will know peace.

[majestyjo]

L is for Love. Love yourself, you are worthy of recovery. Let it begin with you and then you can pass it on to others.

[majestyjo]

M is for Mistakes. Just because I make them, doesn't mean I am one. I had a problem with accepting my human failings. I always figured that I should do better and was always tryiing to measure up to a standard that was often not attainable, and therefore I would be disappointed and feel less than. I also has to remember to take my God with me when I went to do something. He makes things so much easier.

[majestyjo]

N is for Now. Live in the now. Leave your baggage behind you. Look at it if you must so you don't have to do now that you did back then. Don't project into the future, tomorrow never comes. When we live in the now, we have a better chance at sobriety. Sobriety being soundness of mind. Going out of 'now' makes for chaotic thinking and living. Learn to say "No!" Now is all I have.