“Practicing the principles we learn by taking the Twelve Steps produces rewards beyond calculation.”

– Life with Hope, second edition, page 69

I found myself without direction. Upside-down and turned-around, a marijuana addict merely existing and unable to solve life’s challenges or issues in a healthy manner. All I had left were neurotic reactions. I had crossed the line. I was a marijuana junkie, a pothead monkey. I was tired of myself this way! “I need help! I want a life, I want to live!” I had gone it alone for 16 days when by the grace of a power greater than myself, I discovered the fellowship and a phone meeting of MA. At this point, nothing had changed except I wasn’t using. It was suggested that I work the Twelve Steps with a sponsor, and so I did. I wanted change more than anything, I was willing to go to any lengths.

By working the Steps, I now had hope and began to learn and attain spiritual principles I could apply. By working the Twelve Steps, I transformed and had a personality change/psychic change, a spiritual awakening. Instead of using character defects, I have now shifted by responding to life and life’s challenges and issues. I respond by applying the Twelve Steps; the spiritual principles of courage, humility, faith, integrity, to my life with positive results.

I live by the spiritual principles of recovery in all my affairs and under all conditions, to the best of my ability. I now have a purposeful meditative life. The obsession to smoke, smuggle, sell, buy, bake, eat, grow, and vape marijuana has been lifted. Everything has changed; recovery is my lifestyle, I have freedom to choose. I am grateful for a new way of life!

Final thought: Today, I am grateful.