“We became responsible for our recovery and for letting God work within us.”

– Life with Hope, first edition, page 25

Recovery has to be the priority in my life today, if I want a life worth living. It is not what happens to me, but how I respond to it, that determines my emotional well-being. When I was using, the smallest thing could set me off. I was filled with anger and resentment because the world seemed so unjust.

After I got clean, the anger, resentment, and fear were intensified. I could find no relief until I could accept that almost all of the things that happen to me are outside my control. I can control myself and my reactions to the world. When I choose to respond with fear and anger, I give people and events power over me and my emotional well-being suffers.

However, when I choose to accept the things I cannot change, and instead work on improving myself, when I ask for my Higher Power’s help to respond in a positive way and to be of use to others, I find that the world is not such a bad place. I am able to feel better about myself and my place in the world. My spiritual and emotional well-being is enhanced and I am open to the possibility of serenity.

Final thought: Today, I will not let outside people or events control my emotional reactions.