SINCERE EFFORT
May 28, from “Strengthening My Recovery” daily reader
“Each of us must make a sincere effort to make progress in the program whether working on one or many compulsions or addictions.” BRB p. 51
Many of us have the tendency to make things a lot more complicated than they need to be. But we’ve all heard the slogan, “Keep It Simple.” If we keep telling ourselves that recovery is too complicated, we may be giving ourselves a good reason not to work very hard at it or make much forward movement. Sadly, that means we could sit in the rooms of recovery waiting for a miracle to happen for decades. And if nothing changes, nothing changes.
But recovery is not measured by time spent in the program, but how we work and live the program. Our Higher Power is not going to do the recovery work for us. The choice is simple – either occupy a seat in the meetings and keep the same dysfunction in our life, or step out of our comfort zone and try the path that has been proven effective by so many others.
ACA sponsors and fellow travelers are available to help us along our path. We couldn’t do it alone before we came to ACA, and we can’t do it alone now. If we’ve just been floating along, it’s time to swallow our pride and make some forward movement.
On this day I rededicate my efforts to use the tools of recovery. I will pick up the phone and the BRB and learn something new about myself.
My Experience:
There are many ways to work a 12-Step program. The best thing is, it is your program to work. No one gets to tell you what to do, when to do it, how long it should take, nothing. Fellow travelers are there to walk with you, but will only walk as fast as you. Some program steps that I opted to employ:
- Just showing up. The fact that I kept coming back is an act of faith that things will get better. I experienced things getting better from the very first meeting. Why? Because of the stories of hope and recovery along with the loving smiles and hugs I received.
- After some time I decided to participate in service. It was as minimal as helping clean up at the end of the meeting. It connected me more to the meeting.
- At some point I was able to share in the meeting. The knowing nods offered me relief that let me know I was not unique and that I was not alone
- I picked up the Big Red Book and the 12-Step Yellow Book at some point, and started reading stories that further let me know I was not unique and/or alone in this world.
- I have never been very good at using the telephone, but have made a couple of calls. This showed me there are people out there willing to listen to my problems.
- I got up the courage to ask someone to become my sponsor and then started working with them and working the steps. This is a pure act of faith that things will continue to get better. Working the steps is no easy task, but very beneficial to my recovery.
These are just some of the things I have done to show a sincere effort in my recovery. You can do none of these things, some of these things or all of these things and more. It is up to you to decide your recovery program and recovery process. One Day At A Time!
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