Voices of Recovery

Like it or not, there's frequently a lag between intellectually knowing a truth -- until it becomes part of how we view the world.

There is no "bad" when I can recognize that my Higher Power put it there for me; for some reason, some purpose.

G-d,You are the source of my serenity; You are my anchor; You create everything perfectly just for me; You won’t let me down; You will help me find peace; You keep me in Your picture; You sustain the light that is my soul.

I do love the small miracles. G-d helped me with both the question and the answer one more time. I am excited to see what else G-d has in store for me.

Although it doesn't always seem that way to me at the time, life eventually works out much better when it goes according to G-d's plan rather than mine.

Our recovery proves two things: G-d's power and G-d's love. His power: That He performed the miraculous, saving us from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. And his Love: That He did it for us, His children.

The guilt, remorse, and shame devoured me on a daily basis… My only solution – or so I believed – was to kill the pain with more alcohol. Soon thereafter, I abandoned my wife and children...

It doesn’t matter how old we are, how lost we’ve been, or where we are holding in our lives today. We beg Him to give us a second chance and He obliges.

On Passover, G-d reveals a glimpse of the awe-inspiring reality hidden in everyday living. On Shavuot, through His caring love for us, He bestows upon us an invaluable present – the Torah.

Today I am no longer in need of something exterior to make me realize that I am okay. Knowing that G-d is with me is Dayenu! It is enough!

In the dark places of my own truth, The Twelve Steps of Recovery are my candle, illuminating the path to self awareness and self actualization.

Just as He placed the sun exactly where it needs to be-a little closer and our world would burn, a little further and we would freeze, so, too, He created each of us perfectly. Acceptance of our own essence is a hallmark of recovery.

It's not my way, but clearly, my way wasn't the best course for life to take right now -- since that's not the way it turned out.

Recovery involves shedding the mask, sometimes layers and layers of masks. Purim allows us to play out this process with festivities, friends, and fun.

On Shavuot, G-d chose us. On Purim, we chose Him. We have tasted the joy of unburdening ourselves and embracing G-d’s guidance and providence in our lives. It is limitless.

That is what we Jewish women need to emulate of Esther: the sacrifice, the endurance and the true commitment. We need to stay in touch with the feelings that lie under the costume.

These days, I don't believe that I am bothering G-d when I approach Him any time of day or night for my requests or needs. No big stuff or small stuff differentiation.

Instead of feeling upset that I must approach the King every day for my every need, I can realize instead that I am truly blessed that He lets me into His chambers every day and patiently listens to my requests.

When we work our programs, we build lighthouses. When we nurture our faith, we build orchards.

Repeated experience has made it abundantly clear that I can either have everything I ever wanted out of life OR I can have alcohol. I can't have both.