ABCs of Thanksgiving
 

A is for Awareness. Many times I have to pray and ask for new awareness. If something doesn't seem to be working like it use to, it just may need to be changed. Awareness is the first step towards recovery and change. I can't know something needs to be changed if I keep pulling on the blanket of denial.

http://www.active.com/images/upimage...yAnimated7.gif

B is for Boundaries. They are not only set for my protection, but that of others too. ;)

http://www.huntsvilletenniscenter.co...ing-turkey.jpg

C is for Clarity. This is a disease of perception. I pray each morning or before a situation for clarity of thought. On the medicine wheel, all new beginnings start in the east. Each new day brings clarity and illumination, that is why it is so important to live in today.

http://www.lovethispic.com/uploaded_...ght-Person.jpg

D is for Dry Drunk. If you don't apply the spiritual principles to your life, you end up being a dry drunk. Just putting a plug in the jug is not enough. As the AA joke says, "If you sober up a drunken horse thief, what you have left is a horse thief, unless he choses to change.

http://www.picgifs.com/graphics/c/ch...als-427267.gif

E is for Easy Does It...but do it! That is what I need to do. I need to wake up and do my laundry. I have been easy doing it in my mind, but haven't followed it up with action. So today I hope to do it. Follow thought with action, not always easy for me to do.

http://cl.jroo.me/z3/a/l/R/e/a.aaa-g...Tuesday-19.gif

F is for First Things First. The first thing that I need for recovery is to not pick up that first drink. First things first is my sobriety, without it, I have no defense against a relapse. I need a spiritual defense against the stinking thinking that my disease sends my way to try to tempt me back into my old ways, even if I don't pick up a drink, I can relapse spiritually, emotionally, and mentally.

https://tse3.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.M...=0&w=223&h=168

G is for Gratitude. Something we need all year round. Always try to remember to thank my God for another day and all that goes on in it.

http://angelwinks.ca/iq/qcgirl481.jpg

H is for HONESTY. I had to get HOnest with my Higher Power before I could get honest with myself or with others.

LIN

I is for Insanity. When I look at my life, it can still happen in today. I generally cal it a JoAnne thing."

It says that God could or would if he were sought, there is no promise He will restore me to sanity. If I am not mistaken, it is something I am still working on in today. So glad it is a 'One Day At A Time' program.

http://angelwinks.ca/images/hi/hi12.jpg

J is for Justification. It was one of my worst defects of character. Because of the old tapes growing up, I felt like I had to justify my very existence. I was asked, "Who asked for your opinion? What makes you think I wanted to know your two cents? What makes you think that your opinion mattered? Who asked for it? I certainly didn't. I believed them and had no or very little self worth, self esteem and just thought I was worthless and didn't think I was worthy of recovery. It wasn't until an Indian woman said to me, "Didn't you know that God doesn't make no junk?

http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs70/f/20...er-d2z85i4.gif

K is for Kinship. Each man and woman are a part of the Fellowship of the Spirit. They are our brothers and sisters, walking the same recovery road. They may have walked a different road to get to where they are at in today, but in today, they are looking to be clean and sober. Our common goal is sobriety (soundness of mind).

http://thumbpress.com/wp-content/upl...ping-nose1.gif

L is for Love.

I am thankful for the love in my life...my family, my friends, my Higher Power (God).

M is for Motive. When in doubt, ask yourself "What is my motive." Is it for the Higher Good of all or for my own selfish desires. Is it God given or am I acting out in my dis-ease.

http://www.free-animated-pictures.co...moving_pic.gif

N is for Nature

I am grateful that sobriety has opened my eyes and my heart to see all of the wonders of nature....sunrise, sunset, a flock of geese flying in a v formation, bees and flowers, robins in the Spring, snow, rain, thunder and lightning, I could go on and on.

O is for Open. Open your eyes, your mind, your heart and behold the beauty around you. It can be a single rose, a new leaf sprouting to say it is spring. Today I was walking to the bus stop, before it started snowing, and thought of the May flowers and Violets that grow under a hedge at one of the houses. I always liked going by there and when they are gone, the black=eyed Susan's appear.

https://tse2.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.F...=0&w=196&h=195