the 16 steps to recovery

The 16-Steps

We affirm we have the power to take charge of our lives and stop being dependent on substances or other people for our self-esteem and security.
Alternative:  We admit/acknowledge we are out of control with/powerless over ________ yet have the power to take charge of our lives and stop being dependent on substances or other people for our self-esteem and security.
We come to believe that God/Goddess/Universe/Great Spirit/Higher Power awakens the healing wisdom within us when we open ourselves to the power.
We make a decision to become our authentic selves and trust in the healing power of the truth.
We examine our beliefs, addictions and dependent behavior in the context of living in a hierarchical, patriarchal culture.
We share with another person and the Universe all those things inside of us for which we feel shame and guilt.
We affirm and enjoy our intelligence, strengths and creativity, remembering not to hide these qualities from ourselves and others.
We become willing to let go of shame, guilt, and any behavior that keeps us from loving ourselves and others.
We make a list of people we have harmed and people who have harmed us, and take steps to clear out negative energy by making amends and sharing our grievances in a respectful way.
We express love and gratitude to others and increasingly appreciate the wonder of life and the blessings we do have.
We learn to trust our reality and daily affirm that we see what we see, we know what we know and we feel what we feel.
We promptly admit to mistakes and make amends when appropriate, but we do not say we are sorry for things we have not done and we do not cover up, analyze, or take responsibility for the shortcomings of others.
We seek out situations, jobs, and people who affirm our intelligence, perceptions and self-worth and avoid situations or people who are hurtful, harmful, or demeaning to us.
We take steps to heal our physical bodies, organize our lives, reduce stress, and have fun.
We seek to find our inward calling, and develop the will and wisdom to follow it.
We accept the ups and downs of life as natural events that can be used as lessons for our growth.
We grow in awareness that we are sacred beings, interrelated with all living things, and we contribute to restoring peace and balance on the plane

quotes for today

We must be grateful for our mistakes, without them we wouldn't know any better.
- Ayash Sabbagh


When you make the finding yourself - even if you're the last person on Earth to see the light - you'll never forget it.
- Carl Sagan


It is much more difficult to judge oneself than to judge others.
- Antoine de Saint-Exupery


Failures are divided into two classes -- those who thought and never did, and those who did and never thought.
- John Charles Salak


It takes two to make a marriage a success and only one a failure.
- Herbert Samuel


I glory in this world of men and women, torn with troubles, yet living on to love and laugh through it all.
- Carl Sandburg


Every man in the world is better than someone else and not as good as someone else.
- William Saroyan


The more sand that has escaped from the hourglass of our life, the clearer we should see through it.
- Jean-Paul Sartre


Being defeated is only a temporary condition; giving up is what makes it permanent.
- Marilyn vos Savant


Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons.
- Ruth Ann Schabacker