“Questioning and evaluating our actions and ourselves helps us to stay the ‘right size.’ ”

– Life with Hope, first edition, page 52

In active addiction, I would often need to act immediately on a feeling or act impulsively. Now that I am sober, when difficult situations or feelings arise, it can be uncomfortable or confusing and my old ways of thinking may surface. In recovery I often need to pause to check in with my true motivations. I can take a moment to evaluate and ask myself, “Is this coming from love or fear? Is this my sober mind or my addict mind? Does this align with my Higher Power’s will or my will?”

In these times, when I take a moment to check in, I can learn to not react from old thinking patterns. I can give myself the space and the time to consider the validity of my reactions and consider if I even need to take action.

Final thought: When I take time to check in and evaluate, I ensure that my motivations, my reactions and my decisions support my recovery and align with my Higher Power and my program.