T is for Trouble. Even after all these years, I can still get myself into trouble. I often ask myself how I got here, but it generally is a result of not practicing enough self-care. It is okay to help others, but I must top myself up first. I can't believe I forgot that. Today feels like a total day of collapse, no go. The only thing that will jump start me is my God. I hope He has more energy that I do and I doesn't let me sit too long in my own stuff.

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U is for Understanding. Understanding the Healing power of our Higher Power. Through Him all things are possible.

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V is for Value. Value yourself. You do deserve recovery. You are not your disease. You are loved.

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W is for Why. Don't keep asking Why?" Don't question the program, just accept it as it is, because it works. I could stop, but couldn't stay stopped until I came through the doors of recovery. I think it iis important too, as to which door you go through. You need the one that works for you.

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X is for X-ray

An x-ray helps a doctor see what is going on under your skin and come up with a treatment plan to make you well. We also need to look at the x-ray of our inner feelings and get in touch with them, deal with them, learn from them and make changes if needed.

Y is for Yellow. Mellow yellow is what I like to think of. We can `yell`out to our friends and say, Ì have found this new way of life, let me tell you all about it.` I was surprised when I said to my cousin and her husband about learning to live one day at a time. He said, `Doesn`t everyone.` I was clueless, so I am glad that I got with the crowd and started living, one day at a time.

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Z is for Zealous. We need to put some zeal into our recovery. Get excited. We have cause to celebrate. Each day we wake up clean and sober, we are given a great gift. I need to remember to say thank you and show my gratitude by helping others.

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A is for Avoid

Avoid loneliness. Attend AA meetings regularly and get involved.

B is for Blessings. There are many blessings and gifts that are priceless when you stay clean and sober. Working the Steps, leads to new awareness that those blessings are there. We can see our God working in our life, doing for us what we could not do for ourselves. Finding a good sponsor to guide you in your recovery is truly a great blessing.

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C is for Came

Step 2

We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

Acceptance is what happens here. In accepting the situation and knowing that you do not need to stay there, balance is possible. Sanity comes from balance. Now begins the action...Step 3: We made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.

D is for Determination. I am determined to have a nice day, especially when the sun is shinning. When the sun isn't shinning, I am bound and determined to have a good day too. It is my choice. It will be about me and my attitude.

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E is for Everyone. Everyone is welcome to work the 12 Steps. They are applicable to everyone, under all conditions. Just about everyone has an obsessive/compulsive disorder of some kind. I tell people, you qualify, you know me.

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F is for Friendly. Be friendly with others, all it takes is a smile. It doesn't even matter if it is returned to you. But on the whole, when we give, we receive.

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G is for Gratitude. I am so thankful for the fellowships of recovery. I am no longer alone. My life has truly been enriched.

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H is for Hope. When I walked through the doors of AA, I thought, there is hope for me. At first it was, it helped them, so it will work for me. Learn to identify, not compare. When I went to Al-Anon, they told me I was a double winner.

I had one reason to go to AA, I had 3-33 reasons to go to Al-Anon.

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