November 7 (87)

”We are all travellers in the wilderness of the world, and the best that we can find in our travels is an honest friend.” Robert Louis Stevenson

It feels odd to have struggled for so long to find true friendship in the past, to have only felt like people were acquaintances with mostly superficial attachment. Yet I now have rooms full of friends who listen to whatever I need to say, who do not judge, who care and support me, who don’t try to rescue me, who tell me to it straight when I need and who, for lack of a better term, love me unconditionally. Who would have thought that my problems could have brought me so close to so many people in a positive way? My addiction has allowed me to connect with others in a way I never imagined was possible. The most curious thing is the open and honest sharing that takes place in my meetings is so contagious. The good will that is shown spreads innocuously through us all and I have seen it work miracles in transforming the attitudes and lives of others. There are so many ways that finding SAA has changed my life that it is hard to know where to begin. I truly do feel most days that I have been given a second chance and this time some rules and guidelines to live by that will help keep me on track. Coupled with a support group to guide me as well, how can I go wrong?

Affirmation Finding friends in recovery, brought close through the pain of my past, is one of the many wonders I can gain through the program.

June 12

”How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment to improve the world.” Anne Frank

The quote above reminds me of another which I really appreciate “Each moment is a gift, that is why it’s called the present” I believe that we truly do have the power to make the world a better place, right here, right this instant. No matter how big or small the impact, I can improve my surroundings. It starts simply with me making changes to be a better person and live a better life. I still struggle in surrendering those things that are not within my power to control. Most days it is easier to let go of things from the distant past than those that have happened to me recently. I guess that is probably normal; recent events are more powerful and do need some time to be processed and to feel their full effect. My primary focus in recovery is always to work on myself. The best place for me to effect change is in my behaviours, attitudes and outlook. As I let go of my defects of character, I become a more useful person to my family, to my workplace, and to my community at large. The power for me to start down that new path exists within me and I can choose to begin right now.

Affirmation Today I will look at the changes I can make to start making a difference in the world.