Comments

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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.
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    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.
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  Tim V December 11, 2025 at 7:13am

  my program of recovery aids me with all elements and stages of change. I used to think that growth (especially material) would provide change. I had the cart before the horse. It is through change that the promises of growth would materialize. I can't change others; I can only change myself. I can change my thoughts which lead to change of my actions which leads to change of my habits, which leads to change of my character. The blessings of positive growth will follow.
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  Tim V December 10, 2025 at 6:02am

  the best thing for me to remember is my serenity is inversely proportional to my expectations. I must try to manage my expectations with mindful patience, understanding and acceptance. My expectations must never become demands. I'll place more value on serenity and emotional well-being as my expectations for myself and others comes to mind.
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  Tim V December 9, 2025 at 6:33am

  my program of recovery is a commitment to positive change. As I reflect on these past four months of commitment to sobriety, I know there's more commitment ahead. I embrace a commitment to improved physical health, with the same hard work and sacrifice I've found faith in through my commitment to recovery.