Comments

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  Tim V December 20, 2025 at 5:26am

  

  I know of my defects of character. I use them as a tool for self-inventory every moment of the day. When they are in my thoughts, they become my actions. When they are in my actions, they become my habits. When they are in my habits, they become my character. Mindful, in the moment, self-inventory is my best coping skill to positively strengthen my character.
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  Tim V December 19, 2025 at 6:46am

  

  .... of the spiritual principle of integrity. This principle tells me I would have moral and ethical values in my thoughts and actions, and I'd be consistent in this. It tells me I would be complete or whole in mind, body, and spirit. It tells me to consistently inventory and challenge any of my thoughts and actions that conflict with my moral and ethical values, and replace them with honesty, humility, acceptance and accountability. I know my Integrity isn't perfect, but I'm grateful to be making progress.
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  Tim V December 18, 2025 at 6:16am

  my program of recovery supports my total well-being. It guides me in every aspect of my life, my addiction, my health, my relationships, my spirituality, my attitude, and to cope with life on life's terms. It's a design for living at all times and in all places. It tells me how and why I should live with honesty, humility, courage, willingness rightly directed, integrity, perseverance, brotherly love with acceptance, and a spirit of service for others. It is then that I feel complete, content and always well in my well-being.
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  Tim V December 17, 2025 at 5:13am

  

  the nature of my wrongs can be an asset. The harms I've left in my wake can be a catalyst for positive change. Identification of these defects of my character are a daily tool to remind me that no matter how far down the scale I have gone, I can see how my experience can benefit others. It is the wrongs that provide me humility, a change in personality, thoughts and actions, sufficient to bring about recovery.
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  Tim V December 16, 2025 at 5:39am

  

  happiness is a by-product of living rightly through my program of recovery. I have faith in a process that doesn't search for happiness. I must seek first to think and act within the spirit of the principles of the 12 steps, Honesty, Hope, Faith, Courage, Integrity, Willingness, Humility, Brotherly Love, Justice, Perseverance, Spiritual Awareness and Service. Happiness is then the result, my reward and the gift I gratefully receive.
  • Admin

    Chris L > Tim V December 16, 2025 at 9:38pm

    

    Yes, thank you. If I have acted with courage and kindness - and am not happy - I still acted with courage and kindness. If I have abandoned my core values, what would be the point of happiness?
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  Tim V December 15, 2025 at 5:06am

  

  I no longer have perfectionist standards for myself, and I no longer expect it from others. It's the small wins that matter. As I believe perfection is unattainable or sustainable, I know the progression of small wins over time gives me confidence and continuous improvement despite my imperfections. Slow, mindful, and consistent wins the day. I'm gradually changing and making progress.
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  Tim V December 14, 2025 at 8:24am

  being mindful is not mind control. For me, being mindful is the truest spirit of the reality of the "here and now". When I'm mindful, there is no past, no future, and no right or wrong. I believe being mindful is maintaining a moment-by-moment presence and awareness to view my thoughts, my feelings, all others, and my surrounding environment through the lens of acceptance.
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  Tim V December 13, 2025 at 8:08am

  ...of the spiritual experience through selfless living amends. I'm moved by the process of revealing my defects of character to those I've harmed and asking how these defects and harms affected them. I think it best to allow them to provide me with guidance. I must thank them for the opportunity to change. I should realize the importance of recovery for me, and the need for their recovery from the harms I've provided as well. Yes, it's a spiritual experience to improve the quality of my relationships through selfless living amends.
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  Tim V December 12, 2025 at 8:27am

  the opposite of my addiction is connection. Isolation bred within me resentment, fear, ego with false pride, and selfishness with self-pity. It was easy then to drink. It was an existence of spiritual bankruptcy. Spirituality tells me to have a mindful spiritual and physical connection with others, with nature and with my higher power. Through these connections, resentment changes to acceptance, fear changes to trust, ego with false pride changes to humility, and selfishness with self- pity changes to gratitude.