ABCs of Recovery
 

A is for Acceptance. I don't have to like it. I have to accept it for what it is knowing that it is subject to change. I have to acknowledge it in order to let go of it, no matter what 'it' is or was.

Acceptance is the key to recovery. Without it we stay stuck.

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B is for Beautiful. Look around you, it is a beautiful day. The birds are singing, the sun is shining, children are laughing, and it is a beautiful day in the neighborhood.

We didn't see much of what was around us when we were using. So become aware of the Creator's many gifts and blessings.

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C is for Choices. We are granted freedom of choice as long as we stay clean and sober. When we are using, our freedom is taken from us by our drug of choice.

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D is for Dance. If you aren't enjoying recovery, what are you doing wrong? Get up and dance. You have something to celebrate. You are one more day, clean and sober.

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E is for Emotions. Acknowledge them, name them, and then let them go. Know that this too shall pass, the good and the not so good.

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F is for Forgiveness. We forgive the person, if we can't forgive the act.

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G is for Gratitude. Every day I am grateful to be alive and sober. If you can not think of anything to be grateful for, just look around you. Start a Gratitude List all of things you are grateful for, big or small. I think you will be amazed at how many things to be grateful for in sobriety.

H is for Help

Help another in his/her recovery, extend your hand!

I is for Integrity - Walk your talk!

J is for Joy. If you aren't enjoying recovery, what are you doing wrong? Are you comparing instead of identifying? Have you stoppe have you stopped going to meetings because you think you know it all. Have you stopped doing service or did you begin reaching out to others. The joys will come back to you.

K is for Keep Coming Back. Keep coming so you don't have to come back. Some day you might not make it as far as the recovery door.

Keep coming back to meetings. Keep coming back to the phones to call your sponsor, a friend, your clergy and/or a family member. Keep a strong support list with lots of phone numbers.

L is for Learn

Learn to take spot check inventories of yourself. (Do Not take inventories of other people - stay on your side of the street.)

Keep coming back:

At around the 5 years of sobriety, I thought that I didn't need to go to meetings anymore. I got this....Ha Ha...I didn't have it. Slowly my mind started to try to convince me that I can drink again. Instead of grabbing a beer or a bottle of booze, I went back to AA meetings. I keep coming back to keep myself grounded. I come back for support and to give support to others as well.

L is for Learn

Learn to take spot check inventories of yourself. (Do Not take inventories of other people - stay on your side of the street.)

M is for Maintain

Maintain a balance: spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental. By doing so, you are on the way to peace, serenity, and happiness.