April 3rd – “We Do, and Then We Understand”—Patience and Action

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“We were taught that a little willingness goes a long way towards building faith. Most of us resisted. We tried to understand this Step before we made the decision to have faith and act upon it.”

Life with Hope, third edition, page 12

When I enter the rooms of recovery, I see the gifts of sobriety blossoming in my fellows’ lives. I see their serenity, their joy, the even-keeled ways they respond to “life on life’s terms.” I want that for myself, and I begin working the program earnestly, attending meetings, reading literature, and working with a sponsor. I may feel frustrated or discouraged when the serenity and security I have witnessed in others doesn’t immediately manifest in my life. I must remind myself that I am in it for the long haul.

The knowledge and experiences through which I attain physical, emotional, and spiritual recovery are forged through this process. I can’t fast-forward to the end and expect results. As the saying goes, “We don’t think our way to right action. We act our way to right thinking.” I do, and then I understand.

There might be days when I feel jaded or disheartened but straying from this path risks leaving before the miracle happens. I put my faith in the program and in my Higher Power, turn to my sponsor and fellows, and try to act my way to right thinking until I experience the serenity and joy I first saw in others.

Final thought: Today, I prioritize acting in alignment with my recovery without seeking immediate results.

Living Every Day with Hope – Copyright © 2025 Marijuana Anonymous World Services. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced by any means without the written permission of the publisher. Marijuana Anonymous groups have been granted limited permission to quote Living Every Day with Hope.

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