A is for Answers. My co-sponsor use to say, "You have the answers. They are within." My reply was, "Yes, but I don't know what the questions are." Thanks to the program, I know what questions to ask. Am I sober today? Am I still clinging to old patterns, actions, and behaviors? What do I need to let go of? What do I need to fill this void? What is this energy around me? Is it for my Higher Good?

http://angelwinks.ca/images/humorpod/humorpod58.gif

A is for Alcohol

Remember that we deal with alcohol....cunning, baffling, and powerful! Without help it is too much for us. But there is One who has all power...that One is God. May you find Him now! (Big Book pages 58-59)

A is for Again. When you get to Step 12, go through the Steps again. This is a one day at a time program. For me the program is Steps 4-9. When something new comes up, especially from my past, I apply those Steps again. Step 10 is maintenance and for daily living, but I like the other Steps for heavy duty things. At all times, I can go to my God and ask for help.

http://angelwinks.ca/images/lovepod/lovepod20.gif

A is for Armed

Armed with the tools of recovery, I don't have to face the day alone.

A is for Armor. Put on the whole armor of God. He will fight this disease with us. We are no longer alone.

http://www.angelwinks.ca/images/christmas/anc12.gif

A is for Acceptance. Acceptance is the key. I need to lower my expectations and raise my level of acceptance. Without it, I stay stuck in my dis-ease. When I find some level of acceptance, surrender to the program and my God, I am empowered to do what I need to do for my recovery.

http://49.media.tumblr.com/bd12fdcaf...aip8o7_250.gif

A is for Action. Gratitude is an action word. Don't just say it. Show your gratitude all year around. Take the words off the pages of the literature and apply it to your life. This is a living program.

http://angelwinks.ca/images/iq/qcdolphin309.jpg

A is for Align. Align your will with God's Will for your life. I questioned my mere existence and why me, there are people so much more in need and worthy of recovery. It was the 3rd and 5th Traditions that helped me to see purpose in my life.

Who would have thought that I would get to a stage in my life that there are not enough hours in a day. The longer in recovery, the more I want longer days and little sleep, but there are days I want a bigger sleep, and feel bad that I allowed it to intrude into my days. Go figure.

http://angelwinks.ca/images/iq/qckittenwdesklamp2.jpg

A is for Awareness. We can't change what we don't know. We can only turn a blind eye to things before they catch up to us. My God brings me to it, and if I don't become aware and not willing to change, He will bring me back to it again, and again.

http://www.angelwinks.ca/iq/chqc36.jpg

A is for Alcohol. Alcohol is cunning, baffling and powerful. It tells me that I don't have a problem and this time it will be different. Alcohol lies.

Alcoholism is a disease. An allergy and an obsession of the mind that is just waiting for me to give it an inch so it can take a mile.

http://www.angelwinks.ca/images/christmas/c67.jpg

A is for Avoid

Avoid emotional involvement the first year - you end up putting the other person first and lose sight of "your" program.

A is for Alter. Alter your attitude so it aligns with your Higher Power's wish for you in today. Don't always try to buck the system and do things your way. As it says in the Big Book, we need to alter our attitude in today, to aid our recovery.

http://www.angelwinks.ca/images/specchriscard15.gif