P is for Progress

Progress is made One Day At A Time!

Q is for Quest. I went on a spiritual quest when I came into recovery. I was raised in a religious home, and religion didn't stop me from becoming an alcoholic/addict. My doctor put me on Valium at 16 because I had a nervous disorder and a digestive problem, as well as migraines. Spirituality enhanced my religious beliefs and visa versa. I feel doubly blessed that I have both in my life. I couldn't stop using until I found the spiritual aspect of the program. I had to apply the program to all areas of my life. When I walked into my first Al-Anon meeting, I was told that I was doubly blessed. I could see life from both sides of the track.

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R is for Recreation/Leisure Activities

It is important to find recreational/leisure time activities that you like to do and get involved with them. Pick up an old hobby that you used to do. Find some new interesting things to do. (It is all a part of taking care of yourself in sobriety.)

S is for Sobriety. Sobriety means soundness of mind for me. I have to work on my emotional sobriety today. That is the difference between being sober and having sobriety. Sobriety to me, means continually working the Steps and applying them to my life.

This is a Spiritual program, and that means change. Change me instead of trying to change everyone else.

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T is for Treat. Treat yourself. It doesn't mean have a drink or overeat. Every pay day I try to buy myself something. When finances are slim, I can't always afford butter. If bacon is on special, I buy it. Everything tastes better with butter and/or bacon. The only thing I needed to be mindful of spoiling myself rotten.

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U is for US

This is not a me program. It is an "US" program. You are never alone.

V is for Validate. Validate yourself. You don't have to go outside looking for validation. As the slogan says, "Let it begin with me."

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W is for Wake. When you wake up each morning, do a meditation and put your day in God's Care. It can be short or long, as long as you take time to talk to your God. If you need to, pray and ask for the willingness to be willing. Awaken to the gifts of recovery.

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X is for X-ray. Look within, don't just make the surface attractive. Our emotions can make themselves known physically.

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Y is for Yellow. Yellow is the sign of caution. Have you become complacent. Have you stopped going to meetings. Have you stopped talking to your sponsor. Have you quit working the Steps. When you get to Step 12, you start all over again, because you have a new understanding as a result of working the Steps, so you will see your life anew, and you will have a new perspective on things. Recovery is a living thing, a program works if you continue to work for it.

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Z is for Zip. Long-timers say if your are new to the program, you should zip your lip. You don't know anything about recovery, so you should shut up and listen. Listen to learn, Learn to listen. They often tell it as it is, and for the most part, we don't want to listen. If we shut out them, then we shut out other things that we don't want to hear. Your best thinking and actions got you to the doors of recovery. You had no other place to go. So listen to what we have to tell you. We have found a better way to live.

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A is for Abstinence

Today I will not drink. This is a "One Day at a Time!" program. Stay sober for you...not someone else...otherwise it won't work.

B is for Believe. Find a Higher Power that works for you. Someone who is bigger than you. Believe in your Higher Power and trust that He/She/It will be there for you in all times of strife and sorrow. Believe that you are never alone. Your HP led you to it and will see you through it.

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C is for Courage

Have the Courage to Speak and the Wisdom to Listen at AA meetings. You can share your experience, strength, and hope. You can listen and learn in order to take home tools of recovery that you can use in your every day life.

D is for Day. All I have is this day, this 24 hours, to stay clean and sober. One days experiences, thought, feelings, joys and sorrows. One day's ups and downs, which become not to high or low as they were in early recovery, by working your program, one day at a time.

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