“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.