People do recover, every single day, from alcoholism and drug addiction, abuse and trauma, dual diagnosis, gambling, codependency and more.    But they rarely do it alone. I applaud you and say "good for you" because you are seeking a way out of a dark hole. You can be in the darkness so long that you don't even know you are in darkness because you've gotten use to it.

My parent's divorce, my stepfather's control issues, my marriage problems, the death of my Mother from breast cancer and my low self-esteem were big issues that led me to unhealthy coping habits.  Shopping and the disease to please others were my addictions. When life brings us change, pain, pressure and stress, we want to escape it, deny it, control it, change it, change "them" or rescue "them". Our challenge is to be still, feel, deal with our situation and eventually heal without some artificial stimulation and temporary high. I believe when your will to stop is strong, God will do the rest. I have spoken to many recovery groups and often share my affirmation below. ~ Jewel Diamond Taylor

RECOVERY AFFIRMATION by Jewel Diamond Taylor

“I am a loving, divine and worthy person.   I have courage, self- esteem, self-control and faith to endure this challenging time.   I am led by the Spirit to do the right thing for me and those I care about.   I am willing to think and choose the right way for my highest good.   I, alone, am responsible for my happiness, health, choices and well-being.

I forgive myself and others and move forward in peace, truth and clarity.   I am thankful for the people who come into my life bringing support, joy and unconditional love.

Whatever anxiety, fear or stress I feel now will pass away.   I observe and overcome what I’m thinking and feeling without giving into my cravings and habitual escape patterns to avoid what I’m living through right now.   I take back my personal power and give no one consent to rob me of my progress and peace of mind.   Even though my heart is breaking or my thoughts are racing with fear, temptation, anger, shame or depression, I trust myself to do the right thing.   Right now I choose serenity.   I choose to breathe through this moment.  I choose to stay in peace instead of falling to pieces.   I choose to “grow” forward instead of falling backward.   My faith is stronger than my fears.   I can train my brain and heal my heart.   Everything is already all right.   Today is a good day because I can make it so with my thoughts, prayers and actions.   I am too blessed to be stressed.   As I let go of my “poor me” attitude, I focus on my progress…not perfection.   Every day I am growing stronger and stronger.

by Motivational Speaker Jewel Diamond Taylor www.DoNotGiveUp.net

“Jewel…I want to say thank you for your newsletter. As I read the one sent today, I was almost frozen in my spirit from the work you do. I felt that I was OK and that my life would be OK. I had to take a minute and thank God for life and today. I had to thank Him for allowing you to do the work you do.

I have a gambling problem that has ruined me financially that I am trying to overcome, and today was a challenge.  I talked to myself all day to make sure I didn't go to the casino. I even left the house on my way there and something said don’t go, go buy yourself some dinner and go home and eat it and have some quiet time for yourself and that is what I did.   I overcame all of the negative conversation I was having with myself and overcame going to the casino for today.

I was checking my email and there was one of your newsletters and as I read it, something came over me and I realized that your Motivational Gems are truly Gems and I wanted to let you know that they have made a difference in my life and to tell you to keep up the good work.  Thank you very much.” ~ Beverly M. – Detroit, MI

The Lord is my sponsor, I shall not want.

He makes me to go to many meetings.

He leads me to sit back, relax and listen with an open mind.

He restores my soul, my sanity and my health.

He leads me in the path of sobriety, serenity and fellowship for my own sake.

He teaches me to think, to take it easy, to live and let live and do first things first.

He makes me more humble and grateful.

He teaches me to accept the things I cannot change, to change the things I can and gives me the wisdom to know the difference.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of despair, frustration, guilt and remorse, I will fear no evil.

For Thou are with me, your program, your way of life, your twelve steps, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies: rationalization, fear, anxiety, self-pity, resentment.

You anoint my confused mind and jangled nerves with knowledge, understanding and hope.

No longer am I alone, neither am I afraid, nor sicken, nor helpless, nor hopeless.

My cups runs over.

Surely sobriety and serenity shall follow me every day of my life, one day at a time, twenty-four hours at a time.

As I surrender my will to You and carry Your message to others, I will dwell in the house of the Lord, as I understand Him, one day at a time, forever and ever. Amen

I trust God within me to open news doors to opportunity, serenity and prosperity.

G.O.D.(God Opens Doors)

H.O.W. - Honesty, Open-mindedness, Willingness

 

Just For Today

Just for today I will try to live through this day only and not tackle my whole life problem at once.

Just for today I will be happy. Abraham Lincoln said, that “Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be.”

Just for today I will adjust myself to what is and not try to adjust everything else to my desires.

Just for today I will try to strengthen my mind. I will study; I will learn something useful; I will not be a mental loafer; I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration.

Just for today I will exercise my soul in three ways: I will do somebody a good turn anonymously; if anybody knows of it, it will not count; I will do at least two things I don’t want to do–just for exercise. I will not show anyone that my feelings are hurt; they may be hurt, but today I will not show it.

Just for today I will be agreeable. I will look as good as I can, dress becomingly, talk low, act courteously, criticize no one, not find fault with anything and not try to improve or regulate anybody except myself.

Just for today I will have a program. I may not follow it exactly, but I will have it. I will save myself from three enemies: hurry, anger and indecision.

Just for today I will have a quiet half hour all by myself and relax. During this time, I will try to get a better perspective on my life.

Just for today I will be unafraid. I will enjoy that which is beautiful and will believe that as I give to the world, so the world will give to me.

I am precious in God's sight.

It is a victory, not a failure, to admit that I cannot control my problems, for then I can turn to my God and begin to find serenity.

It is helpful to take an honest look at myself, face the true feelings and communicate honestly.

It is an act of courage, not shame, to admit any wrong I've done and ask forgiveness of God, myself and others.

It is healthy to accept and love myself, and to let others love me, because like everyone else, I'm worthy and deserving of love and a good life.

It is O.K. to trust myself and others, I can be responsible for myself, as others can be for themselves.

It is possible for me to be happy, since happiness depends on myself and my attitude, not on things or other people.

It is possible for me to recover, If I believe I can and I'm willing to take the necessary action for change.

It is better to set realistic goals for change; I can accomplish them one step at a time and one day at a time. I can't do it all, or do it perfectly, but I can do something. If I fail, It's okay - there's no failure except in not trying.

It is all right to set limits to keep myself sane and serene. It's okay to let things go that cannot be changed or do not matter.

It is good to take the time to stay in touch with myself and God through prayer and meditation.

 

 

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