ABCs of Recovery

[MajestyJo]

P is for Pleasure. Do you enjoy your day. What do you do for pleasure? Do you take time out for pleasure or are you caught up in busy. We can isolate in our home alone or we can get lost in a crowd.

[MajestyJo]

Q is for Quit. Quit using mind altering substance that take you out of yourself, into a life that is marking time, instead of living life to the fullest. People, places, and things are quite harmful to me, if they take me from the kind of life my Higher Power wants me to live.

Remember if you have to control it, it is already out of control. Quit pulling the blanket of denial on and wearing those rose colored glasses, that don't give you a true perspective of life.

[dwmoeller]

R is for Rest

Get plenty of Rest. Last night it was so hot in my bedroom that I couldn't get to sleep. I think I only got 3 hours of sleep. I am going to be tired by the end of this day. I hope I get a good night sleep tonight.

[MajestyJo]

S is for Safe. Make your place safe. Set boundaries. Make your own special place in your house, with a good light or a place to light a candle, either to read or meditate. It is your chair, off limit to others.

[dwmoeller]

T is for Take

Take down the bricks from the wall around you. You'll be able to see the daylight better. Let people know who you are. In order for me to heal and begin to recover, I had to take the the brick from the wall I build around me. As I started to take down the brick, I saw the light of hope shining in and I continued to take more bricks down! I am grateful for those who helped me in the process of demolishing the wall.

[MajestyJo]

U is for Understanding. This is a spiritual program. It is God, as you understand Him to be. If you have no understanding of God, keep going to the meetings and hear others share. If you are like me, you will be so mixed up, you are not sure what you believe. It is my understanding that there is a God big enough to cover all religions or all color, race, and creed. I had to make my God personal and build a relationship with Him, or if you wish, She/It/Creator/Higher Power/The Source/The Universe/Buddha or if you believer there is no God at all. Just keep coming and let God find you.

[MajestyJo]

V is for Vision. Please read "A Vision for you" in the Big Book, it ending on page 169 is totally awesome. When we get clean and sober, we can envision a new life for ourselves. It take a while, and sometimes we think we can't function, but in truth for me, I did things better.

[MajestyJo]

W is for Want. Some times we try to become "Wanna Bees" like on Romper Room. We focus on others instead of ourselves. We want what someone else has, but not willing to work on ourselves and do the work. I think some think that recovery is a gift that is just handed out to the few. The program works if we work for the program. Don't look at what you don't have, look at what you do have and find a sponsor who will help lead you in the way you would like to go.

[dwmoeller]

X is for eXtra

Get extra sleep. It is important for your health to get plenty of rest.

[MajestyJo]

Y is for Yuck! Don't discount those 'yuck' feelings. If it doesn't feel right, don't do it. When the time is right you will know if you put your daily life into the care of your Higher Power. Remember he answers prayer three ways, "Yes, No, and not yet!"

[MajestyJo]

Z is for Zero. As it says in the book, "When your score card read zero," you came to AA. Until we hit our personal bottom, we will not be able to find the willingness to quit drinking and drugging. It doesn't matter what drug I chose, alcohol is a drug, we have to be willing to go to any length to stop. Stop means zip, nadda, no mind altering substance, or they will take us back to our drug of choice.

[dwmoeller]

A is for Attend

Attend AA meetings regularly and get involved and ready to help the alcoholic that still suffers.

[dwmoeller]

B is for Be:

Be active - don't just sit around.
Be willing to help whenever needed.
Be good to yourself - you deserve it!

[MajestyJo]

C is for the 3 Cs.

I didn't cause it.
I can't cure it.
I can't control it.

This is an Al-Anon slogan. It also applies to the disease of alcoholism. If I have to control it, it is already out of control.

[dwmoeller]

D is for Deep Breathing

Deep Breathing, meditation, and other relaxation techniques can help you in your recovery. Set aside some time each day for this. It'll improve your mental and physical health.