A Daily Program

You have chosen a new path. Your life journey has been altered, as always you have a choice. The choice is to continue on this new path, or go back towards your previous path. Your previous path was one of pain and destruction, both for you and those in your life, with no good endings, probable ending in jail, institutions and a painful and lonely death. However we cannot be certain where exactly your new journey will take you. We can say that along the way you will experience a new freedom, a happier contented life, with renewed respect from family, friends and self respect. A loss of shame and guilt. A life better than you could have ever imagined.

In an effort to increase your growth and your rate of growth, for a new found dignity and self respect. We would suggest a new daily regime for your recovery. Or perhaps better said might be a daily recovery program to go along with ‘The 12 Step Program” of recovery, you have chosen to follow.

Here is your suggested daily program:

Get up a ½ hour early each day, in order to accommodate some of these tasks

Ask your Higher Power for help, not to drink and/or use today
To overcome one defect


Eat a well balanced healthy breakfast, leisurely


Read one page in a daily meditation book or self help book and 2 pages in the text of your program


Talk with one of your fellowships and/or one of your support system about recovery


Pray earnestly upon waking and before bed


Perform an act of “random kindness”


Look for the good in each individual you encounter Today


Remember to practice your program in the home


Do not procrastinate, do not put off till tomorrow what can be accomplished TODAY


Review your day before bed and give thanks for another day


Attend at least three meetings this week


Live the 12 steps in all you do today


“It is said that 90% of the things we do everyday are “HABITS”, so let us make the above suggestions. “DAILY HABITS”


Remember God does not create garbage

OUR LIFE = OUR ATTITUDE

Ponder, if you will this poem and how it applies to recovery, or should I say your recovery and the changes of your perception of life and what you want from your life.

“ATTITUDE”


“THE LONGER I LIVE, THE MORE I REALIZE THE IMPACT OF ATTITUDE ON LIFE.


ATTITUDE, TO ME, IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN FACTS.


IT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE PAST, THAN EDUCATION, THAN MONEY


THAN CIRCUMSTANCES, THAN FAILURES, THAN SUCCESSES


THAN WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK SAY OR DO.


IT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN APPEARANCE, GIFTEDNESS OR SKILL.


IT WILL MAKE OR BREAK A COMPANY. . . A HOME.


THE REMARKABLE THING IS WE HAVE A CHOICE


EVERYDAY REGARDING THE ATTITUDE WE WILL EMBRACE FOR THE DAY.


WE CANNOT CHANGE OUR PAST. . .


WE CANNOT CHANGE THE FACT THAT PEOPLE WILL ACT IN A CERTAIN WAY.


WE CANNOT CHANGE THE INEVITABLE.


THE ONLY THING WE CAN DO IS PLAY ON THE ONE STRING WE HAVE,


AND THAT IS OUR ATTITUDE . . .


I AM CONVINCED THAT LIFE IS 10% WHAT HAPPENS TO ME


AND 90% HOW I REACT TO IT.”

CHARLES SWINDOLL


Remember God does not create garbage

If I Had My Life To Live Over Again....

I”D DARE TO MAKE MORE MISTAKES NEXT TIME

I”D RELAX

I WOULD LIMBER UP

I WOULD BE SILLIER THAN I HAVE BEEN THIS TRIP

I WOULD TAKE FEWER THINGS SERIOUSLY

I WOULD TAKE MORE CHANCES

I WOULD TAKE MORE TRIPS

I WOULD CLIMB MORE MOUNTAINS AND SWIM MORE REVIERS

I WOULD EAT MORE ICE CREAM AND LESS BEANS

I WOULD PERHAPS HAVE MORE ACTUAL TROUBLES, BUT FEWER IMAGINARY ONES

YOU SEE, I”M ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE
WHO LIVE SENSIBLY SND SANELY HOUR AFTER HOUR, DAY AFTER DAY

OH, I”VE HAD MY MOMENTS

IF I HAD IT TO DO OVER AGAIN, I”D HAVE MORE OF THEM

IN FACT, I”D TRY TO HAVE NOTHING ELSE

JUST MOMENTS, ONE AFTER ANOTHER, INSTEAD OF LIVING SO MANY YEARS AHEAD OF EACH DAY

I”VE BEEN ONE OF THOSE PERSONS WHO

NEVER GOES ANYWHERE WITHOUT A THERMOMETER, A HOT WATER BOTTLE, A RAINCOAT AND A PARACHUTE

IF I COULD DO IT AGAIN, I WOULD TRAVEL LIGHTER THAN I HAVE

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER,

I WOULD START BAREFOOT EARLIER IN THE SPRING AND STAY LATER IN THE FALL

I WOULD GO TO MORE DANCES

I WOULD RIDE MORE MERRY-GO-ROUNDS

I WOULD PICK MORE DAISIES
NADINE STAIR


Remember God does not create garbage

Becoming Self Aware

“To know others is Clever, to know oneself is enlightenment.”


Addiction is a twofold disease to overcome, firstly we have to tackle the Physical Addiction; (the using), and this requires detoxification and outlasting the withdrawal. Which is a relatively short process, however depending on the substance, may require medical supervision, and can be painful physically and psychologically. Thankfully it is a short process, although during the process it may not seem so short.
Secondly is the psychological dependence, (the thinking and feeling) this requires a whole new set of life coping skills acquired through the recovery process, and will continue grow through your recovery, continuously.

As we all know the insanity of our addictions was repeating the same behaviours (in essence) over and over, and expecting a different result. So let me ask you something,” If you built a house and it fell down, would you then rebuild your house the same way?” Hopefully not. Well that is what recovery is all about, rebuilding your life differently? Your way didn’t work. Recovery is going to give you new tools, and a better plan. However it is up to you to learn how to use these tools properly and to read the plans and adjust them accordingly. However the work and the learning are on you to do. However it is next to impossible to do alone, there is help and guidance available. Use it!

Now as you detoxify and your faculties and feeling become less numb, you will start becoming more aware of what is going on around you as well as within you, it will seem your body feels more, your mind is racing and your emotions and feelings are more acute. You will probably feel overwhelmed and/or bombarded by these feelings, emotions and the mind racing, you may feel like running back to what you know or shutting down that this is all too much and you can’t deal with it. Take a deep breath and try to relax, this is normal, we have all felt the same way top one degree or another. You can handle it and you will survive. This is one of the main reasons that you have been advised to go to meetings, and get a support system. For at the meetings you will find others experiencing the same thing or those that have been through this. They will help. A support system is the suggestions you have heard about in the meetings. They should consist of a sponsor, a few close people that are on the same path, those who accept you for you, and possibly a recovery coach and counsellor. These people will guide you on the use of your new tools and probably provide you with more as time progresses.

Now that you are becoming self aware, the most valuable tool you are going to need is the 12 step program. With you new tool and support system you will learn to indentify specifically, all these new feelings and thoughts. Now with the help of your support system and tools you can start to identify exactly what needs to be fixed in your life.
This new tool will also help you increase yourself awareness, which is essential for your recovery. Unlike those without addiction issues self awareness is essential. Most people don’t truly know themselves; unfortunately they go through their whole life never knowing who and what they truly are. They look for answers in their family, from other people, from work, from accomplishments, toys, possessions and so on, never finding an answer or true happiness. In true recovery we must find our answers from within, from being truly self aware, thus finding freedom and a life that is happy, joyous and free. However this is not an easy journey we must have courage, we absolutely need the help of a support system. We cannot do this alone, yet we do it ourselves.


“It takes more courage to reveal insecurities, than to hide them, more strength to relate to others rather than dominate them, more “manhood” to abide by thought out principles rather than blind reflex, toughness is in the soul and spirit, not in the muscles and an immature mind.”
Alex Karras


These tools must constantly be expanded and used, or one becomes open to becoming a “dry Drunk”. True sobriety is an action of insights and skills far beyond abstinence. It is a creative art of living, loving and personal growth.


Remember God does not create garbage

Denial

Denial is not the river in Egypt. It is a tool that you have developed and mastered over the years to protect your addiction. D.E.N.I.A.L Don’t Even kNow I Am Lying.


“We have troubles because we refuse to grow up.” Said the master. “How will we know when we have grown up?” asked the student. “When we no longer need to be lied to.” Replied the master.


Now that you have reached recovery, means that you don’t need or want to continue to lie to yourself, that is if you truly want real recovery. Denial was your escape from responsibility and reality, your own little fantasy world. It was lying to yourself, telling yourself, everything is fine, you are in control, there is no problem. Denial keeps you from the truth of your life and situation. A spiritual reality is when we experience the truth; from there you can change and transform your life.


For many of us our addiction seems to have a personality and a voice all its own. For example, most of us feel and behave differently in different areas of our lives. Such as work, in the classroom, with our parents, with our kids, on a date, with our spouse or partner ETC...We teach our children that it is wrong to lie, and they should always tell the truth, no matter what. Then we lie to our boss, lie on our taxes, even to our own parents. It is as if we several different personalities existing in our consciousness. One of these is our addiction; it has a life and a voice as well. And to stay alive and well it creates its own stories and lies to us. In essence it tells us we are fine and do not have a problem, when our life is falling apart, just so we can keep doing what we’re doing. This is denial in action.


To recover from addiction we need to recognize our denial. We need to see the truth of our lives and stop lying to ourselves. Denial is a protective mechanism. It is a defence to keep us from the pain of facing the truth about our addiction. It keeps us from seeing our powerlessness as well as the consequences and unmanageability of our addiction. If we choose not to see the truth, our addiction can continue to destroy our lie.


Denial comes in many forms; everybody suffers from denial, not just those with addictions. If you are human you have denial about something. Denial protects us from the pain, the pain from facing the reality of our own unhealthy or wrongful behaviours. However as those with addictions, to keep our denial is to die. Not only do we fail to see what it is doing to us, it creates havoc and pain for all who come in contact with us. We need to recognize our own denial and the forms it takes. In doing so we can loosen the grip addictions has on our lives and replace it with truth, acceptance and recovery.


We have used denial in many forms , such as simply denying, minimizing, rationalizing, blaming, bargaining, intellectualizing, diversion, passivity, hostility and just plain old excuses,. We have used these forms of denial and/or behaviours to avoid the truth about our addiction. Now you need to recognize where and when you have used these forms and/or behaviours, which are your favourites. So that you can see your truth, and recover.



Remember God does not create garbage

The H.O.W. it works, of the Program

You know it’s kind of funny actually, when you think about it. We usually come into the fellowship and the meetings, because our lives are a mess. Yet here we are, and one of the first things we want to know is how does this work, firstly because we have very little if any trust in anything, and we want to see what kind of weird stuff we gotten ourselves into this time. Secondly we want to know how it works so we can dissect it and tell you why this will not work for me, or we want to dissect it take out all the unnecessary stuff, so that we kind find the short cuts (easier softer way) and get out of here as fast as possible and/or we are going to change it and make it better, because “don’t you know who I am”. After awhile we look back at this stage and smile and shake our heads.

The H.O.W. of the program or as I like to put it the W.H.O. of the program is twofold. The first part is the who? And the who is you, you are the one who’s life is falling apart and needs to listen and follow directions, who doesn’t know crap about how to fix their life, don’t deny it otherwise you would not be in the meetings and/or reading this. Let us get honest right from the get go, no one of us goes to a meeting for the first time and wants to find out about the meetings, fellowship and program because their life is great, we all came the first time because our lives were falling apart and thought just maybe I might find some help or you were sent by the courts and your life is really going downhill. No one comes for the first time saying,” YAHOO I finally reached A.A., N.A. C.A. or whatever ?.A. .
The second part is for what each individual letter in W.H.O., W> stands for WILLINGNESS, the willingness to do whatever it takes to get your life back. The willingness to listen, the willingness to take suggestions, the willingness to take action on those suggestions, the willingness to face the second letter H> Honesty and the willingness to get honest. To get honest first and foremost about and with yourself, to be willing to actually see and admit firstly to yourself the truth about your life and yourself. Then to work towards being totally honest with others. And to have the willingness to have an open mind, on everything you will hear, on the suggestion you will be given, on your judgement of yourself and others. On All your preconceived notions and beliefs.
This is the beginning of how it works, It is hard to change these things overnight, it will take perseverance on your part and work, however as you begin to adopt these principles you will come to hear about and be directed and drawn to the actual program, That being the 12 steps and this is truly how it works, through the practice and adoption of these steps your Willingness, Honesty and Open-mindedness will grow and in proportion your life will improve.

Remember God does not create garbage

Life's hard times

There is no doubt, that at times life seems very hard and unfair, sometimes even to the point of unbearable. To say the least life is challenging. Through the ages there is much poignant euphuism about this very fact.

Life can be hard and dangerous;
Those who seek happiness may find sorrow;
Those who seek peace may find strive:
Those who seek love may find disappointment;
Joy comes to those who do not fear solitude;
Life comes to those not afraid to die’
Joyce Cary

Life is not a matter of holding good cards
But sometimes, of playing a poor hand well.
Robert Louis Stevenson

It seems that the fact is that life is a challenge, or as some say a “school for the soul”, No matter what your belief is the fact remains that life has its rainy days, its sunny days and its stormy days, as well as everything in between. Life is like a ship at sea, sometimes the sailing is smooth and comfortable, were we are guided by the stars and a clear compass. At other times we feel lost, cut adrift, seemingly lost. It is then that we must batten down the hatches and trim the sails and stay the course in hope of staying afloat. And then even the most experienced sailors may get blown off course, or worse, swamped and perhaps even sunk. That is life. No matter how masterful and experienced you may become, the storms of life are unavoidable. However this is not what makes a life or the person, what makes the life and the person is our reaction to and courage in the face of the storm and its aftermath.
It is said that if it doesn’t kill you it makes you stronger, this is only if you choose it to be so. There are many that life has beaten down, and they choose to remain beaten and wallow in the pain. Yes it is a choice. Life can be hard and unfair and sometimes it seems that some seem to have far more than others to weather. However again I say it is a choice to stay beaten or to pick yourself up and keep on keeping on. This is the true measure of a life. It takes a great deal of courage to pick oneself up and continue.
Courage is like a muscle, we strengthen it with use. RUTH GORDON
Sometimes we turn to God, when our foundations are shaking
Only to find it is God who is shaking them
Anonymous
The point seems to be that when life is hunky dory, and we are comfortable and gliding along, things are simple and easy, however not much is truly accomplished and/or learned. Yet when an adversity comes we get more active and alert. And if not during, certainly after we are able to learn and grow; IF WE SO CHOOSE. This is we acquire wisdom and the ability and resources to be of help and assistance to our fellows.
As Saint Augustine is quoted; “pray not for a lighter load, But for stronger shoulders”

We pray and demand a lot of our God; we constantly ask of, however I truly believe that in doing so I have to be very careful and specific. For usually I have found that my God rarely just hands me my wants, He gives me ways to learn how to accomplish said wants.

Life therefore is not about the storms or difficulties we may encounter in our journey. It is in how we choose to weather the storms, and how we live in the wake of the storms of life that truly measures one’s life.
Remember God does not create garbage