March 1

”Man is only now more active – not more happy – nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.” Edgar Allan Poe

I’ve heard it said that some people confuse movement for progress. I know I’ve experienced it in my own life, and even in my own recovery. Some days my best coping mechanism is to simply keep busy. While this technique may work for the short-term, it tends to fail over the long-term. I am learning that it’s not as important to keep busy as it is to continue doing the appropriate things for my recovery. Spending hours in front of the TV or surfing the internet (safely) do not contribute much to my emotional and spiritual health. They’re simply distractions. Attending meetings (in person, on the phone or on-line), calling my sponsor or a brother or sister in the program, reading recovery-related material, exercise, prayer, meditation or any of the many other activities that now reside in my outer circle are much more productive ways to spend my time. It’s critical that I focus on these new tools rather than time wasters that eventually lead back to my old habits and behavioural patterns.

Affirmation Today I make a conscience choice to practice my outer circle behaviours to reinforce my commitment to recovery.