Comments

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  Tim V December 23, 2025 at 4:48am

  

  I am blessed with the gifts that recovery has brought my way. As l look back at my addictive past, those gifts were always there, but I took them for granted with the insanity of selfishness and ignorance. I no longer ignore these gifts as I live in recovery. The gift of family, the gift of forgiveness, and the gift of being connected to others. The greatest gift of all is the gift of giving. As these gifts have been so freely given to me, I will freely give these gifts in return.
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  Tim V December 22, 2025 at 6:38am

  my goals have changed. For a long time, in my addiction, my goals centered on the why, how and when I would drink. In recovery, my goals are centered on why I must recover, how I must recover, and when I would recover. Why? I have an illness of body and mind that can kill me or harm others. How? By living in the spirit of the principles of the 12 steps. When? Each moment of this day, just for today.
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  Tim V December 21, 2025 at 5:59am

  

  attitude is a matter of choice. With an attitude of positivity, I envision things that I "can" rather than "cannot". With an attitude of gratitude, I envision all that I "have" rather than "have not". My attitude significantly influences the quality of my relationships, my resilience in the face of adversity, and all experiences and outcomes. My attitude is everything.
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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.