Frank H. from Santa Clara, CA talking about the steps at a Men’s OA Tool Time Retreat in Oceanside, CA – August 10th-12th 2018
Recovery is founded on a number of guiding principles that help people know how to live life sober, including honesty and integrity, among many others.
So for people in recovery, integrity isn’t just a buzzword. It’s the principle that should ground and govern your recovery on a daily basis, at home and at work. When you feel tempted to make a decision or to act outside of your internal belief system, it can become challenging and risky for your recovery.
Tonight, we talk about Integrity
Earl H. from Studio City, CA talking about the steps in a workshop called “Catch the buzz with the steps” in New York, NY – December 14th 2002
Sobriety can feel like a far off dream for those who are struggling at the bottom of their addiction. Living a life free of drug and alcohol addiction is entirely possible. Making that first move takes courage. Asking for help takes courage. Walking into a meeting, turning over your life, and focusing entirely on becoming well is an act of bravery. If you have the courage to relentlessly pursue sobriety, your life will infinitely grow.
Tonight, we talk about Courage
Earl H. from Studio City, CA talking about the steps in a workshop called “Catch the buzz with the steps” in New York, NY – December 14th 2002
When people break away from addiction they are likely to see some benefits immediately. The early days of recovery can be hard though, and unless the individual believes that it is going to lead them to a better life they may give up when things get hard. There is no real way to prove conclusively to somebody that their life is going to improve significantly if they remain sober. They have to take a leap of faith and believe that this is the case. It is this that gives them the motivation to continue.
Faith is often associated with religion, but it can actually be defined as confidence or trust in a person or thing. For example, trusting somebody involves putting faith in the idea that what they say is true. Another way that faith can be defined is to say that it is something that a person believes in that does not require logical proof or material evidence. A leap of faith is when people decide to believe in something even though they may not have enough compelling evidence to back this belief.
Tonight, we talk about Faith
Earl H. from Studio City, CA talking about the steps in a workshop called “Catch the buzz with the steps” in New York, NY – December 14th 2002
Hope is not magic and having hope is not equal to having a magic wand. Hope is not a cure in and of itself, but its presence in the lives of those who are suffering from an addiction can positively help. It is a spiritual principle connected to something bigger than ourselves, helping us along the way of finding meaning, purpose, and living true to our values in life. Hope can be an expression of our spirituality or faith.
“Hope is the elevating feeling we experience when we see a path to a better future”. Hope is not optimism, rather it fully sees the difficulties. It is rooted in reality and gives us the courage to face our challenges. In fact, hope can lead us to choose a more challenging path, standing on the belief that we are capable of doing hard things.
Tonight, we talk about Hope
Earl H. from Studio City, CA talking about the steps in a workshop called “Catch the buzz with the steps” in New York, NY – December 14th 2002
Of all the moral characteristics, honesty is one of the most respected. It is also the spiritual principle behind step one. Many people in recovery live by the mantra “we are as sick as our secrets.” Individuals need to pay special attention to honesty in recovery because they have to be truthful to others, and above all they have to be honest with themselves. People who do not develop honesty as a personal quality are more prone to relapse. This is why honesty has to become an everyday habit until it becomes second nature.
Tonight, we talk about Honesty
