12.24.09

Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect. ~Oren Arnold

Today I am grateful…

• that today is not the start of a long holiday binge
• for double meeting days
• that today I have what I want, I want what I have
• that the basis of my recovery program is one of spirituality, the kind that fits me and supports me. Not something condemning or frightening, but loving and nurturing.
• that today someone will get sober for the first day and someone will relapse after years of sobriety. Today I do not have to be either, but can be supportive.

Many of us have old, painful memories triggered by the holidays. Many of us feel a great deal of relief when the holiday is ended.
One of the greatest gifts of recovery is learning that we are not alone. There are probably as many of us in conflict during the holidays than there are those who feel at peace. We're learning, through trial and error, how to take care of ourselves a little better each holiday season.
Our first recovery task during the holidays is to accept ourselves, our situation, and our feelings about our situation. We accept our guilt, anger, and sense of loss. It's all okay.
There is no right or perfect way to handle the holidays. Our strength can be found in doing the best we can, one year at a time. ~More Language of Letting Go