Remember you are human, and it is highly possible that you may slip and use some mind–altering substance or other addictive behavior at some point in your recovery. When you do, it is important that you take some time to remind yourself of the following facts:

• To err is human. A change from your desired abstinence plan is not unusual. Yes “$hit happens” and even the best recovery will not be perfect.

• It does not mean that you have lost control or that you have no willpower.

• It does not mean that all previous drug–free days were in vain (wasted). Recovery is a PROCESS not a BADGE of how many drug-free days you have.

• It does not mean that you will slip again, and again. Perhaps this time will be the last time!

• Do NOT CATASTROPHIZE. Your world will not end, just get back on your program or return to your RELAPSE PLAN and make some modifications.

• You do have to pay attention carefully to the thoughts and feelings that led up to your using. What can you do differently so that it does not happen again?

• Be honest and admit that you made a mistake. Now decide that you are capable of learning from what happened, and make a plan to avoid the particular situation in the future. Imagine a better way to deal with a similar situation in which you do not go out and use.

• Once you have thought through what happened – let it go. Do not dwell on your failures, but use your energy to plan for your future successes.

• Try not to feel guilty, frustrated, or discouraged. If you do, remind yourself that these feelings will pass. Let your mistakes be a source of learning, not a source of self–punishment.

• Get back to your program NOW. Not tomorrow, or next week but right NOW. You can change your life in an instant if you want—Do it! Life Free!

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Letting Go

To let go does not mean to stop caring, it means I can't do for someone else.
To let go is not to cut someone off, it's the realization I can't control another.
To let go is not to enable, but to allow learning from natural consequences.
To let go is not to try to change or blame another,
it is to make the most of myself.

To let go is not to care for, but to care about.
To let go is not to fix, but to be supportive.
To let go is not to judge, but to allow another to be a human being.
To let go is not to be in the middle arranging all the outcomes,
but to allow others to affect their own destinies.
To let go is not to be protective, it is to permit another to face reality.
To let go is not to nag, scold or argue, but instead to search out my own shortcomings and correct them.

To let go is not to adjust everything to my desires, but to take each day as it comes and cherish myself in it.
To let go is not to regret the past, but to grow and live for the future.
To let go is to admit powerlessness,
which means the outcome is not in my hands.

To let go is to fear less and love more!

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Building Character: Who are you?

When you have walked a long way out from some very difficult situations in your life, and feel like you still have so far to go—it is ok to look back for a bit.

If you take a moment to reflect on how far you have come, and the obstacles that you have surpassed you will realize that you are stronger, more capable, and more resilient than you think.

Character is not something that happens over night. It is not an exam that you can study for, it takes time and effort to develop.

Good character is doing the right thing—despite everything else in your life that seems wrong.

So take a moment to look back at all that you have accomplished, and then realize that the mountain ahead is really just one step after another—and you will get to the top and where ever else you want to go.

Who Are You?

Watch your thoughts...

because they become your words.

Watch your words...

because they become your actions.

Watch your actions...

because they determine your friends.

Watch your friends...

because they determine your character.

Watch your character...

because it determines your destiny!

The choices that you make in life...

will show your friends, family & the world,

what kind of a person you are becoming.

 

Success is realizing what an amazing person you are,
and then acting like you know this to be true!