Recovery ABCs

[MajestyJo]

X is for X marks the spot. The longest journey we take in recovery is from our head to our heart.

[Zendor]

Originally Posted by dwmoeller

W is for Write a gratitude list.

W is for wonder as well. Wonder why?!

[dwmoeller]

Y is for You're Special

You're special. In all the world there's nobody like you. Since the beginning of time there has never been another person like you. Nobody has your smile, nobody has your eyes, your nose, your hair, your hands, your voice.

You're special. No one can be found who has your handwriting. Nobody anywhere has your taste for food, clothing, music, or art. No one sees things just as you do. In all of time there's been no one who laughs like you, no one who cries like yo=,and what makes you cry or laugh will never produce identical laughter and tears form anybody else, ever.

You'r the only one in all of creation who has your set of abilities. Oh, there will always be somebody who is better at one of the things you are good at, but no one in the universe can reach the quality of your combination of talents, ideas, abilities, and feelings. Like a room full of musical instruments, some may excel alone, but none can match the symphony sound when all are played together. You're a symphony.

Through all of eternity, no one will ever look, talk, walk, think, or do like you.

You're special...you're rare. And in all rarity there is a great value. Because of your great value you need not attempt to imitate others...you will accept---yes, celebrate your differences.

You're special and you're beginning to realize it's no accident that you're special. You're beginning to see that God (Higher Power) made you special for a purpose. He must have a job for you that no one else can do as well as you. Out of the billions of applicants, only one is qualified, only one has the right combination of what it takes.

That one is you, because...YOU'RE SPECIAL.

[MajestyJo]

Z is for Zone. We need to stay 'in the zone" and focus on our recovery. It is important to stay on track, although we have been known to take a detour now and then, if we are in our God's Care, He/She will bring us back to where we need to be.

For me, the Zone is a spiritual way of thinking and acting. It is the only defense I have against that first drink or drug. Drugs come in many forms, so I need to be mindful of my obsessive/compulsive thoughts and actions.

[MajestyJo]

A is for Awareness. We can't change what we don't see. We need to take off our blanket of denial and face reality.

[MajestyJo]

B is for Boredom. I hear many young people say they are bored. They are use to living on the edge and they find that they can't reclaim that feeling in recovery. It can be there, but you have to live the program taking the 12 Steps. There are natural highs in recovery.

[MajestyJo]

C is for Care. In order to truly care for others, we need to take care of ourselves. If people don't see us walking our talk, our words lose their value.

[MajestyJo]

D is for Do onto others as you would have them do onto you. It is good to receive as well as give. We need to do both, life is about balance.

[dwmoeller]

E is for Eat

Eat at regular hours. Don't get too hungry. Don't skip meals. Eat healthy. It is all a part of taking care of yourself in your sobriety.

[MajestyJo]

F is for Faith. They say fear and faith can't occupy the same space. Know that the program has worked for many years, it has worked for others, it will work for you.

[MajestyJo]

G is for Group. It is important to find a home group. A place you feel sharing in. A group that has long term recovery and people who work a good program. A place to get involved in service. My favourite place is at the door welcoming others, especially newcomers.

If you haven't get one. Your sponsor can be from your home group, but she doesn't have to be. You can get a sponsor who has what you want, in another group and in my honest opinion, a group that you can get to, if your sponsor wants you there. Some of them, may want their own space.

[MajestyJo]

H is for Helper. I can help others, as long as I learn to help myself first. Recovery begins with me. How can I give away what I don't have?

[MajestyJo]

I is for Interest. I can take interest in spiritual things, or I can help others and make a deposit on my life insurance, and then later when need be, I can gather the dividends on the interest that has accrued. I can also go to meetings, they pay much bigger credits because you are helping you and others too.

[MajestyJo]

J is for Just for Today. Just for today, I choose not to use. The meditation book Just for Today has been a real tool for my recovery. It has always been a tool that I have used on my recovery road.

Just For Today
Just for today I will have a program. I may
not follow it exactly, but I will have it. I will
save myself from two pests: hurry and
indecision.
Just for today I will have a quiet half hour
all by myself and relax. During this half
hour, sometime, I will try to get a better
perspective of my life.
Just for today I will I will be unafraid.
Especially I will not be afraid to notice
what is beautiful and to believe that as I
give to the world, so the world will give to
me.


PRAYER FOR TODAY

Lord make me an instrument of Thy
Peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow
love; where there is injury, pardon; where
there is doubt, faith; where is despair,
hope; where there is darkness, light; and
where there is sadness, joy.
O, Divine Master, grant that I may
not so much seek to be consoled, as to
console.; to be understood, as to
understand; to be loved, as to love; for it is
in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning
that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that
we are born to eternal life.

[MajestyJo]

K is for Know. When the time is right you will know. If you don't know, and there is doubt, recognize your God at work. If you don't know, don't do. I was told, "If you are doubting yourself, you are doubting your God. Take time to know your God.