O is for Open

Open your ears and listen and learn how to live a life of sobriety. Keep an open mind and heart and don't forget the Serenity Prayer.

P is for Practice. This is a program of practice, practice, practice. Practice these principles in all our affairs. The program isn't just for the rooms of recovery, they need to be taken with us to practice at home, at work, and in the community.

Principles of the Twelve Steps
1. Honesty2. Hope3. Faith4. Courage5. Integrity6. Willingness7. Humility8. Brotherly Love9. Self Discipline10. Perseverance11. Ever Presence of God12. Service to Fellowman,
Principles of the Twelve Traditions
1. Unity2. Direction3. Recovery4. Understanding5. Sharing6. Simplicity7. Independence8. Selflessness9. Service10. Survival11. Self Reliance12. Humility
Principles of the Twelve Concepts
1. Responsibility2. Reliance3. Trust4. Participation5. Democracy6. Accountability7. Balance8. Consistency9. Vision10. Clarity11. Respect12. Spirituality

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Q is for Quit

Quit trying to complicate things. Keep it simple!

R is for Rest. Don't rest on your laurels, this is one day at a time. Rest in the arms of your Higher Power, He/She will restore you mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Lean on Him/Her and ask for renewal and clarity of thought and action.

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S is for Serenity. I didn't know what it was when I first felt it. I questioned my spiritual adviser and told him about my strange day and he said, "Do you think you just might have found some Serenity?" I had never felt that way before but liked it and was quite happy for it to happen many times over since that time in my first year of recovery.

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T is for Try

Try to turn your life and your will over to your Higher Power

U is for Unity. This is a "WE" program and we all come together to do what I couldn't and what I can't do in today.

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V is for Volunteer

For example: Make coffee for the meeting, pick up chairs after the meeting, give someone a ride.

W is for Walk. If your thinking is stinking, don't walk, run to the nearest meeting. Walk your talk. Carry a clean message. If I am saying one thing and doing another, I am not carrying a message of recovery. Watch your words, do they match your footsteps.

X is for Spend eXtra time with God/your Higher Power.

W is for Willing. If you can't find it within yourself, pray for the willingness to be willing.

W is for Whoops, I went backwards instead of forwards. So here I am posting another W. Just because I made a mistake doesn't mean I am one. I still don't like having egg on my face for something I didn't pay attention to, yet just maybe the words needed to be said for me, or hopefully another alcoholic or addict.

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Y is for Yet. I may not have done it yet, but if I continue on in my disease, I will surely get there. I have seen it too many times. Too many people yield to temptation because they do not have a strong spiritual defense against that first drink or drug, what ever form it takes.

Won't you be my honey? Addiction can be to relationships and looking for a honey in their lives or they can be addicted to the food.

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Z is for Zest. Do you have a zest for living? If not, ask yourself why. You have been given a second chance at life, celebrate and enjoy. What do you need to put some zest in your step? Perhaps go back and take an inventory and find out what is missing and your score card reads zero.

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A is for Abstinence - "One Day At A Time"

Today, I choose not to drink!