“Our program is not easy, but it is simple.”

– How It Works, Life with Hope, first edition, page 103

“Keep it simple,” what does that mean? When I came into recovery my life was anything but simple. I had to feed my addiction around the clock. I took whatever measures were needed, regularly lying; I had to. The freedom that comes with recovery is beautiful! I didn’t think it was possible and had absolutely no idea where to start.

I just needed a baby step to get me going. It started with honesty. I had to be honest with myself that living in the prison of addiction was no longer working for me. I had to be open to a solution and willing to try. I love the acronym HOW, Honesty, Openness, and Willingness; this is how I got sober. If I continue to be rigorously honest and do the next right thing, my life is free of shame and remorse. When I’m free of the “ick” feelings, life is beautifully simple!

Final thought: Today, I try to be honest, it’s simple but not easy!