November 4

”Instead of worrying about what people say of you, why not spend time trying to accomplish something they will admire.” Dale Carnegie

This certainly sounds like a challenge for an addict. Trying to do good works to make people forget about all the reprehensible acts of the past. This doesn’t even go into what others might think of me because of how poorly I have behaved or how much trust and respect has been broken. There is certainly some truth to this idea. I am a firm believer that I have been successful in my recovery by worrying less about the past than in focusing on what I can do differently today to make a better future. This means letting go of the judgments of others, worrying less about how others perceive me, and working in making me better, on strengthening the good parts of me that I know reflect who I really am. My addiction did a lot of damage to my reputation, and sometimes things from the past are going to show up to haunt me. The best thing I can do is to keep concentrating on my program, putting my best foot forward, and facing each challenge head on. I trust in my Higher Power to push me through whatever lays ahead, and just maybe I will do something worthy of the admiration of others along the way.

Affirmation I know what matters most is how genuine I am for myself and my Higher Power. If this is where I focus my work for now, then whatever other’s think is of little consequence.

September 28

”Difficulties increase the nearer we get to the goal.” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Sometimes I feel like this is a test, that the closer I come to achieving something worthwhile, the more obstacles are thrown in my way. I’ve had good friends comment, on more than one occasion, that if there was the most difficult path to take to get through any given situation, well, then I would be the one to take it. Maybe it is the case, maybe it’s only my perception, or maybe those challenges are put before me to test my resolve, as well as to teach me something along the way. I saw another saying recently along the same lines that I think fits here, “The couples that are meant to be together are the ones who go through everything that’s designed to tear them apart and come out even stronger.” Yup, life can be like that some times. What I was missing before was a strong foundation, that belief in my Higher Power that I could overcome all those hard times, and grow as a result. Life is an uphill climb most of the time, and I was ill-equipped to handle the stress, and so relied too heavily on my addiction to try and pull me through. The thing is, the goals I seek are worth getting to, and there’s not really another way than crawling through the mud sometimes to get to the finish line. I need to trust that the God of my understanding has given me the tools I need to succeed, that He wants me to achieve my aspirations, and that He is there with me the whole time, cheering for my team to win.

Affirmation I do believe that when the going gets tough, the tough get going. I will face the challenges placed before me today and I will overcome them through faith.

September 25

”If I have been of service, if I have glimpsed more of the nature and essence of ultimate good, if I am inspired to reach wider horizons of thought and action, if I am at peace with myself, it has been a successful day.” Alex Noble

One thing that is certainly true in my journey of recovery is that my definition of success has changed dramatically. It is so much less about obtaining material things or recognition as it is about having stayed true to my program. Success is now a measure of living by my circles, respecting my boundaries, and working the steps. One of the best ways to recognize this in my daily activities is to look at the ways I have been of service. Whether in my personal life or my professional life, having performed for others, having given freely of myself, is certainly a sign of a healthier way of living. Working for others, for their betterment, also is a boon to my own progress. I gain as much or more by sharing my talents and knowledge with others, and have a truer sense of accomplishment at the end of the day. Living like this makes me feel life is more real and that is certainly a good thing.

Affirmation Success is not defined by the size of my bank account or the number of acquaintances I have. True success is measure by the contributions I make in improving the world I live in, one small step at a time.

December 9 (55)

”The height of your accomplishments will equal the depths of your convictions.” William F. Scolavino

My journey in recovery has been one with ups and downs, twists and turns, highs and lows. My start was rocky, tentative and full of doubts. It took time, persistence, encouragement and leaps of faith that the program would deliver me from my suffering. My accomplishments started off small, many barely noticeable, as I took those first steps into recovery. I can look back in retrospect and see more obviously now that my progress has been closely linked to the amount of effort I put into recovery. When I did just enough to get by, I had just enough sobriety to struggle through each day. As I gradually increased my recovery work, took on a service role, co-lead a step study group and made my program a priority in my life, my leaps of faith and progress followed suit. My attitude and conviction in my recovery go a long way in determining the results I can expect. While I may awake each day an addict, my goal is to be in recovery and that frame of mind sets the stage for me to be open to the care of my Higher Power.

Affirmation If I put my energy into recovery then I can expect to reap rewards equal to that effort. I have to give first in order to receive.

August 29

”We must not, in trying to think about how we can make a big difference, ignore the small daily differences we can make.” Marian Wright Edelman

There are many days where I want big changes to occur in my recovery, even miraculous. The truth is, I don’t think I have had anything like that happen to me yet. And even though there have been no super-inspirational events, all the many small steps that I continue to make add up to where I am now, with several months of sobriety, a strong outer circle routine, great connection in the fellowship and decent rapport with my Higher Power. Honestly I think I prefer it this way, any big changes in my life, positive or negative, tend to disrupt my life more. Taking things as they come in smaller pieces is easier to manage, digest, and cope with on a daily basis. I shouldn’t be surprised by this…my trip into addiction was a long and slow process. So I expect my return voyage to sobriety to be a similar endeavour. I need to remind myself that each small correction I make is a victory. It is something worth recognizing, worth celebrating and being proud of. Progress, progress, progress is the name of the game, and persistence and patience are what will help keep me pointed in the right direction.

Affirmation I can celebrate the small differences I make - if the change is genuine and moves me forward in recovery then it has  been worthwhile.

February 6

”Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered by older nonsense.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

As addicts in recovery we are often in a state of managing our lives one day at a time. We may feel overwhelmed and not know where to start to put our feet back on the right path. It is important to remember that there is only so much time for us each day and therefore only a limited number of tasks we can accomplish. It’s okay if we do not do as much as we would have liked or planned to do. Tomorrow is another day, and we can start to take things as they come. We will begin to learn how to manage our lives and affairs while making use of the tools of the program. It’s also important to remember to take time and celebrate our accomplishments each day, no matter how big or small.

Affirmation Today I will accept my limit of how much I can accomplish and rejoice in the victories no matter what size they may be. Today is but a stepping stone and tomorrow is always on the horizon.