October 8

”When someone does something good, applaud! You will make two people happy.” Samuel Goldwyn

A good friend likes to remind me that celebrating periods of recovery is important. His biggest reason is that it is a reminder that if we take care of the little numbers, by living One Day at a Time, the big numbers take care of themselves. Personally, that part of my meetings where we take a few moments to recognize people’s accomplishments and periods of sobriety is about reminding everyone that the program does work. It does create happiness and joy when I can see others who have struggled pick up a one-month chip, or more. It is equally encouraging to see the veterans who can celebrate multiple years of sobriety and abstinence. All these milestones are a testament to people being able to turn lives around that at the lowest point seemed hopeless and futile. SAA changes and saves lives if we are just willing to trust in the process. I know people who shy away from recognition. Like me, good things can be a trigger as well, a time where I feel I deserve to reward myself. But I take another view for my periods of sobriety, that the recognition is to help demonstrate the value of the program to others. I am honestly content for each day I remain sober, thanks to the grace of God.

Affirmation I can celebrate my sobriety as well as that of others. It is good to be reminded that the program works if you work it.