September 18, 2025

In recovery, I have learned to think less of my own wants and needs and more of the needs of others

I learn as much from the atheist, as I do from the believer

September 19, 2025

Just when I think I have a big heart, I go to a meeting and hear another member share and learn how to make it even bigger

I can’t think my way sober, I need to learn from other members

September 20, 2025

I no longer feel alone.

September 21, 2025

It wasn’t until I was facing homelessness that I was able to surrender.

I can still be easy to anger, but I’m getting better about calming down before I respond.

September 22, 2025

I took my 3 year old to “Safety Day” yesterday, the simple joy of seeing him touch a fire truck was a gift I didn’t have the capacity of receiving when I was active.

September 23, 2025

When I first came into the rooms, it was the people that took 5 minutes to talk to me about my problems that made me feel welcome and want to come back. I try to reciprocate the kindness shown to me when I came in when I meet a newcomer.

September 24, 2025

I used to think I needed to wait for the perfect moment to make a change, but I’ve learned that if I don’t make the change first the perfect moments won’t happen.

September 25, 2025

Cigarettes are a crutch I no longer need.

September 26, 2025

In addiction, I was incapable of seeing how delusional my thinking had become, I was incapable of distinguishing between true and false.

September 28, 2025

Every night, I ask God to manage my life and mold me into the man he would have me be and I’m starting to see evidence that that is happening.

September 29, 2025

The thought to use occasionally crosses my mind, but in recovery I’m able to pause and reflect on the horrible place using took me. Whereas in active addiction I used every time I had the thought.

September 30, 2025

So grateful to be able to get through the day without obsessive thoughts to use.

October 2, 2025

I’m learning to accept that things don’t always happen on my timeline.

October 3, 2025

When I started isolating, I stopped growing.

October 4, 2025

My addiction separated me from my family, but instead of seeing it as a curse I’m learning to see it as a blessing for it’s given me the opportunity to renew my relationship with God.

October 5, 2025

I realized today that I haven’t thought about suicide in over 4 months, one of the biggest gifts of recovery I’ve received so far is the ability to love myself and my life.

October 6, 2025

Now that I’ve put down the drink, the drugs, and the cigarettes, I’ve got renewed strength to focus on other areas of my life that need improvement, like diet and exercise. I’m slowly becoming the person I’ve always wanted to become.

October 7, 2025

Today I am accountable, to my employer, my family, and other people in recovery.

October 8, 2025

In recovery, I’ve learned to respond to others with empathy instead of judgement.

October 9, 2025

As the weather turns colder, I’m grateful to be able to live indoors.

October 10, 2025

Before recovery, if someone didn’t behave as I would like I would give them the cold shoulder, I’ve learned that that only ends up hurting my development not theirs.

October 13, 2025

When my disease tells me it’s alright to miss a meeting, I know that’s a red flag that I’m headed for a slip.

October 14, 2025

Sometimes I have to force myself to do the next right thing because I know where it will take me if I listen to my disease, and I never want to go back to that place of despair.

October 15, 2025

Grateful to be clean today and have another chance at building a purposeful life.

October 16, 2025

I am calm, content, and peaceful today.

October 19, 2025

I sometimes fall into the trap of comparing myself to others my age and getting depressed when I feel like they’ve accomplished so much more than I have, but I have to remember that I am a miracle to be clean and alive today.

October 20, 2025

I use professionals to help with my depression; outside help is a vital component to my recovery.

October 21, 2025

Some days it’s harder than others to accept the reality of where yesterday’s actions have brought me, but at least I’m taking positive action today for a better tomorrow.

October 22, 2025

The next addiction I need to work on is food.

October 23, 2025

I started walking a few miles each day, moving the body really helps unlock a frozen mind.

October 24, 2025

The first time I used I went on a 3 day bender. Little did I know that I was embarking on a roller coaster ride that would last the next 12 years and would take me and those who love me to the depths of hell. Recovery is a gift I must practice every day in order to keep.

October 26, 2025

Living in a fantasy world, can be as seductive as any drug.

October 27, 2025

It can be tempting for me to fall into old patterns of thinking and wallow in self-pity but I choose to respond differently now to uncomfortable feelings.

October 31, 2025

The obsession to use has been removed, and for that I am grateful.

November 3, 2025

My addict brain tries to convince me that my wants are needs, setting me up for disappointment and dissatisfaction with my present situation and all of a sudden using starts to seem like a plausible idea. I have to be vigilant against my own thinking.

November 6, 2025

I am grateful my wife asked me to come over for dinner last night.

November 7, 2025

For most of my life, I lived in the future and for the past few years I have also been living in the past, wondering how different things would be now if I never used. I am grateful for the time I have now to learn how to live more in the present, and enjoy each day to the fullest without thoughts of what may be or what could have been.

November 8, 2025

I have everything I need and I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be at this moment.

November 9, 2025

I believe the best years of my life are ahead of me.

November 10, 2025

This will be the first holiday in 12 years my wife and I have not spent together. I can be sad and hopeful at the same time.

November 11, 2025

I have become willing to surrender, and willing to grow spiritually.

November 13, 2025

I still get frustrated easily, but I’m trying to do a better job of recognizing when I’m agitated and then make a gesture of kindness to dissolve the unpleasant thought.

November 16, 2025

I’ve found it easier to deal with difficult personalities when I am spiritually fit.

November 18, 2025

Today I practiced surrendering my disease to my Higher Power.

November 20, 2025

My next opportunities for growth are managing my impulses and practicing self-acceptance.

November 21, 2025

I’ve been a child for too long, it’s time to wake up.

November 24, 2025

Perhaps I’ll never experience what it’s like to be a millionaire or drive a new car, but I can be open-minded to a new perspective whenever I want, and that is priceless.

November 25, 2025

So much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving: I’m clean, quit smoking, got God back in my life, rebuilding trust with family, have a job, and slowly becoming the person God intended for me to be.

December 1, 2025

Six months clean.

December 8, 2025

Sometimes I have to ask myself, am I being willing or willful.

December 9, 2025

Got the opportunity to speak at a recovery center tonight, very rewarding to be able to bring a ray of hope into people’s lives.

December 19, 2025

My car is busted, my house is broken-down, but I’m clean, just for today.