Unity

Tradition 1 – Our common welfare should come first, personal recovery depends upon Unity.

Now read it again. And again.

Sounds like Unity is vital, but what does unity actually mean. Here are some quotes and definitions that have helped me understand the meaning of unity.

“The state of being united or joined as a whole.” – Oxford dictionary

“It’s the opposite of being divided.” – vocabulary.com

“We must hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.” – Benjamin Franklin

“That no personal sacrifice is too great for preservation of the fellowship. He learns that the clamour of desires and ambitions within him must be silenced whenever these could damage the group. It becomes plain that the group must survive or the individual will not.” – Twelve and Twelve

Gratitude List 14/06/2019: Law of attraction – thank you!!

Gratitude List 14/06/2019

Law of attraction – thank you!!

Yet again, I found myself in a place full of wonderful like minded people last night – like a flock of geese flying in the same direction ;). There were so many strengths of character on display, I cannot begin to explain how much inspiration I get. Through the law of attraction, these strengths filter into me. All I have to do is take my seat, open my mind, listen and soak it up like a sponge.

Today I am grateful to witness honesty.

Today I am grateful to witness vulnerability.

Today I am grateful to witness acceptance.

Today I am grateful to witness courage.

Today I am grateful to witness wisdom.

Today I am grateful to witness humility.

Today I am grateful to witness spirituality.

Today I am grateful to witness faith.

Today I am grateful to witness hopefulness.

Today I am grateful to witness selflessness.

Today I am grateful to witness love and kindness.

Today I am grateful to witness unity.

How can I not get inspired after being around all of that? Love it!

👍🏻😊💪🏻🙏🏻❤

Gratitude List 23/05/2019: Overspill

Gratitude List 23/05/2019

Today I am grateful that by attending fellowship meetings I have learnt so much. What happens in those rooms is nothing short of magical. The blessing is, if I work it, the magic overspills into my life outside the rooms.

Today I am grateful that by sharing and listening in the rooms, I now communicate better with my family, friends and loved ones.

Today I am grateful that by continuously speaking aloud in the rooms, I am more confident in speaking in front of people at work.

Today I am grateful that by practicing anonymity in the rooms, I have become a more trustworthy friend and less of a gossip.

Today I am grateful that by being honest in the rooms, I am now more comfortable in telling my family how I feel.

Today I am grateful that by doing service for others in the rooms, I can do things for my girlfriend without expecting thanks.

Today I am grateful that by using open-mindedness in the rooms, I am able to remain open-minded when I come across spiritually sick people.

Today I am grateful that by reading Just For Today in the rooms, I am not afraid to enjoy the beautiful world around me.

Today I am grateful that by being vulnerable and admitting my own flaws in the rooms, I judge less the people who harm me.

Today I am grateful that by saying the serenity prayer at the end of each meeting, I can accept the things I cannot change, I can change the things I can and the wisdom in knowing the difference is forever growing.

Gratitude List 21/05/2019: WILL

Gratitude List 21/05/2019

Today I am grateful I am, to the best of my ability, doing all I can to be the best father I can possibly be.

Today I am grateful I am, to the best of my ability, doing all I can to be the best son I can possibly be.

Today I am grateful I am, to the best of my ability, doing all I can to be the best brother I can possibly be.

Today I am grateful I am, to the best of my ability, doing all I can to be the best boyfriend I can possibly be.

Today I am grateful I am, to the best of my ability, doing all I can to be the best friend I can possibly be.

Today I am grateful I am, to the best of my ability, doing all I can to be the best member of the community I can possibly be.

Today I am grateful I am, to the best of my ability, doing all I can to be the best colleague I can possibly be.

Today I am grateful I am, to the best of my ability, doing all I can to be the best fellow I can possibly be.

Today I am grateful I am, to the best of my ability, doing all I can to be the best version of me.

Today I am grateful I am aware that to be the best version and live a life beyond my wildest dreams, full of happiness, serenity and success, I need only focus on one thing – recovery.

From experience…

if I try to be the best father I WON’T.

if I try to be the best fellow I WON’T.

if I try to be happy I WON’T.

But….

if I hand over my life to a Greater Power

if I do my daily suggestions

if I complete and then work the steps

if I practice unity

if I serve others

I WILL grow spiritually and I WILL give myself the best possible chance.

Gratitude List 08/03/2019: Unity

Gratitude List 08/03/2019

Unity

From the moment I first stepped into the rooms, I have always been grateful for Unity. And experiencing nights like last night, only makes me realise further how lucky I am to have it in my life.

Today I am grateful for the magic of Unity. I don’t know how it works and to be honest I don’t care. All I need to know is it does. Unity has a power greater than I ever was, am or will be.

Today I am grateful to see Unity work its miracle in others. Witnessing it’s power enhances my faith in it.

Today I am grateful that Unity not only gives me a power over my compulsions, it also gives me serenity, acceptance, courage, wisdom, inspiration, motivation, love, joy, hope and a big smile on my chops.

Today I am grateful for the simple meaning of Unity – ‘the state of being united or joined as a whole’. The saying ‘I can’t, we can’ comes to mind.

Today I am grateful for the creation of the traditions which provide us with our Unity Program. Traditions that protect the very Unity they create.

Today I am grateful that Unity led me to Service and Recovery. The three pillars to the solution which have turned my life around.

Today I am grateful that Unity has a part to play in all the groups I am part of. Whether it be fellows, friends, family, colleagues or my community. I can play my part in each.

Today I am grateful for all the people who practice Unity day in, day out for years on end. If they didn’t, nor would I. It’s that simple. There are some who have simply kept Unity alive.

Today I am grateful I enjoy Uniting and I’m looking to experience some more Unity very soon.

Gratitude List 21/02/2019: Another new chapter

Gratitude List 21/02/2019

Bearing in mind moving is traditionally known as a stressful time, the last couple of days have been a breeze. It’s been very busy but other than that, it’s gone as well as it could have done.

Today I am grateful for the preparation that went into the move. I’ve never been so prepared for anything. My girlfriend and recovery have been my guiding forces.

Today I am grateful for the relationship I have with my girlfriend. I don’t think we’ve argued or disagreed once during the move. Seems like a miracle to me!

Today I am grateful for how everyone pulled together. We had help from my son, brother and my dad. We’re very lucky to have their support.

Today I am grateful the boxes are being unpacked. The place is starting to take shape and already feels like home.

Today I am grateful for having a garden. The coinciding sunshine has meant a few cups of tea have already been enjoyed outside in the fresh air.

Today I am grateful I was able to reassemble the IKEA Pax wardrobe with only a few f-bombs. Another miracle!!

Today I am grateful thing have begun to slow down, allowing me to venture in town to a meeting. Time for some fellowship and unity.

Gratitude List 19/02/2019: Awareness

Gratitude List 19/02/2019

This gratitude list refers to my awareness of a particular struggle I’m going through. At this point, I have an awareness and a desire, but no power. Its about time I held my hands up and admitted defeat again. This powerlessness refers to food, and some (including me) may think ‘oh well, it’s not that bad.’ But there are so many similarities between this and my primary addiction and the concerning fact is the similarities are increasing. I need to be honest with myself and get this down in writing.

Today I am grateful I have a growing awareness of the certain’ trigger’ foods I need to abstain from.

Today I am grateful I have an awareness that despite my growing knowledge of certain trigger foods, I am powerlessness over that first purchase/pick up/bite.

Today I am grateful I have an awareness of my powerlessness over the phenomenon of craving. Once I start I cannot stop.

Today I am grateful I am aware I have crossed that invisible line into compulsive eating. I am now, not a normal eater.

Today I am grateful I have a growing awareness of the insanity around my thinking when it comes to my eating.

Today I am grateful I am aware that my compulsive eating is becoming more secretive. As soon as there’s an opportunity to be alone, my mind starts to get excited about what I can eat. I’ve felt this before!

Today I am grateful I have an awareness that being secretive means I’m being dishonest. Not just on a food front but I’m spending money I shouldn’t too.

Today I am grateful I have an awareness of the lack of fight and will power when it comes to eating.

Today I am grateful I am aware of that feeling of inevitability. Accepting I’ve already done the deed before I have. Truly baffling.

Today I am grateful I have an awareness of what I need to do (recovery, unity and service) and what I need to less of (trying to deal with it by myself).

Today I am grateful this awareness and self-honesty has given me some power. Going to Greggs on my way to work seemed inevitable earlier but I’ve managed to walk past with some fight to spare.