Affirmations

Keeping Hope Alive

“The hopeful man sees success where others see failure, sunshine where others see shadows and storm.”

—O. S. Marden

When wise men say, “Hope springs eternal,” they are reminding us that no matter how great the obstacles, the hope of winning out in the long run still exists. Hope is our friend when all else has failed. When we have strength of character and an energetic mind, hope always flourishes.

We discover that at the very brink of despair, we will find courage to keep trying as long as there is hope for success. After all, what have we got to lose? Without hope, we have no chance anyway. Our chance for glory comes when we keep trying even though all seems lost. Our hearts remain strong and brave when hope reminds us that challenges last until a game is over.

What light of hope can I keep burning within me today?

You can’t drive straight on a twisting lane.
~Russian saying

What did it take to bring us to the point where we were willing to admit our powerlessness and unmanageability over our addiction? Most of us did not reach this point until we faced some horrible consequences not once, but over and over.

Even in recovery, our denial can be strong. If we approach our addiction only intellectually, without acknowledging our feelings, our chances for staying in denial are much greater. We can't rewrite the story of our life, and we can't wipe out the painful memories. Whatever we've done is done, and when we face up to that reality honestly, we can face up to powerlessness. We can reach out and ask for help, and we can start to help ourselves.

Admitting my powerlessness over my addiction offers me a way back from it. It is an invitation to accept myself as I am and go on from there.

Reflection for the Day
Among the many gifts that we are offered in recovery is the gift of freedom. Paradoxically, however, the gift of freedom is not without a price tag; freedom can only be achieved by paying the price called acceptance. Similarly, if we can surrender to our Higher Power, it will cost us our selfish focus - a "commodity" so precious to those of us who have always thought we could and should run the show. Is my freedom today worth the price tag of acceptance?

Today I Pray
May my Higher Power teach me acceptance - the ability to accept the things I cannot change - and also grant me courage to change those things I can. I ask my Higher Power for help in accepting my disease - addiction - and to give me the courage to change my addictive behavior.

Today I Will Remember
Accept the addiction. Change the behavior.

Avoiding compulsiveness
Being compulsive people, once we leave the alcohol and other drugs behind, we want our dreams fulfilled now. But when we first get into recovery, all we have is potential. Fulfillment is not realized immediately; rather it is something we work toward.

Each day we must work on our lives with what we know today. Gradually we will grow closer toward our ideal. (Recovery is a process.) But we won't get anywhere if we try forcing ourselves into situations we are not ready for. Our Higher Power sets the pace.

Have I stopped being compulsive?

Higher Power, I pray for the patience to live today with what I have and what I know.

I will avoid being compulsive today by…