Our New Life Program is an intensive program for those struggling with addiction. I urge anyone who has a substance abuse problem to check it out.
I’m also a big proponent of Celebrate Recovery, which many people in our program use to great success as program that will help them manage their recovery and talk about their issues with others who are walking the same road.
Many people in the recovery cycle have benefitted from Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon (for the friends and families of addicts) Unfortunately, but predictably, many alcoholics use AA as the scapegoat for their past relapses. I don’t buy that. AA has been a great benefit for millions.
In fact I ran across this encouraging thought on a bookmark my wife gave me from Al-Anon. Our family has used the resources of Al-Anon to help us understand those we love who are struggling with addiction. See if this doesn’t encourage you.
Just for Today (edited by me)
Just for Today: I will try to live through this day only, and not tackle all my problems at once.
Just for Today: I will be happy. This assume to be true what Abraham Lincoln said, that, “most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be.”
Just for Today: I will adjust myself to what is, and not try to adjust everything to my own desires.
Just for Today: I will try to strengthen my mind. I will study. I will learn something useful. I will not be a mental loafer.
Just for Today: I will exercise my soul.
Just for Today: I will be agreeable. I will look as well as I can, dress becomingly, keep my voice low, be courteous, criticize not one bit. I won’t find fault with anything, nor try to improve or regulate anybody but myself.
My sponsor used to say “Is today to long? Hang on five more minutes. The whole world can change in five minutes.” I have experienced this truth over and over. God can only act in the now. Addiction whispers to us about tomorrow; “it will always be like this, you might as well give up.” A willingness to stand firm for five minutes and seek God has paid dividends for me many times in the last twenty-six years.
Thank you for this reminder.
I would add:
Just for Today do something nice for someone — someone you know or don’t. Change the energy in the universe with a good deed. The happy feeling you feel afterwards can be called good or God.
Those days add up. Pretty soon the day is not long enough for all you want to do. Realize that we have absolutely no idea how each moment will play out and then it becomes a Journey worth getting out of bed for.
Those are great additions. thanks for your feedback. God Bless. David