" Lack of daily maintenance can show up in many ways."
Basic Text p. 91
Ever had a perfect stranger remark about how great the weather was, only to reply "It stinks"? When this happens, we are probably suffering from a lack of daily maintenance in our program.
In recovery, life can get pretty hectic. Maybe those added responsibilities at work have got you hopping. Maybe you haven't been to a meeting for awhile. Perhaps you've been too busy to meditate, or haven't been eating regularly or sleeping well. Whatever the reason, your serenity is slipping.
When this happens, it is crucial that we take action. We can't afford to let one "bad day"; complete with a bad attitude, slip into two days, four days, or a week. Our recovery depends on our daily maintenance program. No matter what is happening in our lives, we can't afford to neglect the principles that have saved our lives.
There are many ways to recover our serenity. We can go to a meeting, phone our sponsor, meet another recovering addict for lunch, or try to carry the message to a newcomer. We can pray. We can take a moment to ask ourselves what simple things we haven't been doing. When our attitudes head downhill, we can avert a crash with simple solutions.
Just for today: I will examine the maintenance of my daily program of recovery.
Thanks so much for posting that Vini, I have the book but thats just one more thing that I have let go of in my daily maintenance reading it every morning.
I find for me I let go of the "do things" when things are going well, I guess its only a matter of time till the attatude goes down hill.
I have been having a hard time getting back into my writing, I go to meetings everynight and do service work and talk to my sponsor lots, but without the writing its all just fluff.
I know I might be able to stay cleen on fellowship alone but its the step work that is going to give me that freedom and peace I'm looking for.
I'm lagging too on somethings Sandra and letting other things roll over into tomorrow and the next day and the next, time to get a little work done
I often will write in my head I know it might sound weird but I see myself with paper and pen and I make lists so I can see what i'm dealing with , still crazy I know but it works in a pinch for me
Thanks so much! I am a teeny bit complacent with meetings the past few weeks. I am 2 years clean next week, and I need not forget how quickly "I" can spin out of control if ungrounded. Meetings and program work are like putting a pair of glasses on where things come into a much better focus. If I don't keep going, my glasses fall off and things start to look bleak.
"Things" are always going to go up and down in life. I remember when I at first expected the world to blossom and bloom 24/7, all because "I" stopped using. hahahaha!! I must remember that THINGS may not get better, but I WILL get better, and so will my focus, if I keep coming to meetings and sharing and listening, and reaching out a hand to the next guy or gal.
