ABCs of Recovery
 

A is for Apply. Apply the principles of the program to your daily life. Take the program out of the rooms of recovery, work the Steps and Traditions at home, at work, and in the Community.

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B is for Boundaries. Set them, they are healthy. Reinforce them when needed, they are bound to get ignored or stepped on. Be kind to you, protect yourself with boundaries.

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C is for Change. We need to change in order heal and get better. We are sick people, not bad people trying to get good. We need to change the old behaviours, habits, and ways of thinking.

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E is for Emotions. For many years we didn't acknowledge them. We didn't allow ourselves to feel them and we used people, places and things to stuff them. In today, I take them to my HP, sponsor, and the people in my support group.

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F is for Forgiveness. A gift you give yourself.

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G is for Gratitude. Grateful that my computer is working tonight and I felt much better today and was able to post.

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H is for Hunger. You have to want this program. You have to fill that void with spiritual things. Remember this disease is 4-fold, mental, emotional, spiritual and physical.

H.A.L.T. Hungry, angry, lonely and tired can lead you back to where you came from. I don't want to go there, using is not an option for me and I have to remember when.

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I is for Intent. What is your motive and intent? When I have to come to a decision, I try to remember to ask myself this question. I need to use my intuition and connect with my Inner Self to find my God's Will for me.

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J is for Jump. Jump for joy. Jump up and get involved in service. Jump up to help someone else. It is good to get out of self.

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K is Kind. Be kind to yourself, give yourself a break. Remember you have a disease. You didn't get this way overnight, so it takes time to heal and change. Keep in mind that it takes honesty, open mindedness, and willingness to make it work.

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L is for Love. Love yourself. Give yourself a hug and pass it on. You are lovable.

M is for Money. It can't buy happiness. We thought it could when we were using, but our friend became our enemy. It can lead to greed and grief. Money is a great gift to be best shared with others, it lasts longer.

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N is for Nothing. No one can make you do anything you don't want to do. Nothing can make you do anything as long as you are willing to stay clean and sober. It doesn't have the power. If we turn our prayers and ask our God for help, we are empowered to say, "No" and my surrendering we win. There is nothing in today that is worth me picking up a drink or a drug over.

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O is for Opinion. Everyone has one and has the right to express it. I try to keep an open mind and try to find out where the person is coming from and remember that I haven't walked in their shoes and they haven't walked in mine.

As they say, Sobriety is a necessity. Serenity is an option.

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P is for Power. Listen to your Higher Power instead of your Lower Power.

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