Acceptance - from the Recovery Learning Series at SupportNet.ca - Resources for Your Recovery.

Recovery is learning to enjoy life - without the use of alcohol or drugs that alter mind or mood.

It is treatment for the condition of addiction - an approach to the challenges of life - and a path to personal growth.

Recovery requires us to learn - about the true nature of addiction.

It may be personalized - but it has its necessary Principles and its Ways.

The Principles of Recovery provide direction - to the choices that we face each day.

The Ways of Recovery provide us with tools - that help us to heal - and to enjoy life on life’s terms.

This Learning Seminar introduces the recovery principle of Acceptance -

What you need to know about Acceptance - and the important role that it holds in Your Personal Program of Recovery.

About Acceptance

Acceptance is to let go of struggle - and to take life as it is.

It is a moment of understanding - that right now - things are exactly as they need to be.

And it is a moment of honesty - that allows us to see things as they truly are.

Acceptance and honesty are inseparable. Acceptance both demands - and is a consequence of honesty.

Without honesty - there can be no acceptance. And without acceptance - dishonesty becomes essential.

Acceptance is a first step in recovery - because it is a necessary step to insight, learning and personal change.

Without acceptance of the way that things really are right now - we are not in this moment - and we do not see our condition correctly.

We therefore make incorrect choices - and mistakes in our actions.

Acceptance respects the events, choices and actions of our past.

But acceptance does not mean that we resign our selves to relive the past.

Our future is not determined by our past - but by the actions that we take today.

The better that we accept and see our selves as we are right now - the more accurate will be the choices that we make today.

How Acceptance Helps

Without acceptance - we see things as we wish, want or believe that they should be.

We do not see things as they are - but as we need them to be.

It is when we let go of our need - and get honest with our selves - that we find the acceptance necessary - to see our self, other people and things - as they truly are.

Acceptance is a moment of healing and awareness - that grounds us in this moment right now.

It is a kind of spiritual awakening - that I am part of a world not controlled by me.

Acceptance is letting go of our struggle for control.

It is a moment of freedom from the stress that we bring to our life - by trying to change who or what - that is not ours to control.

Acceptance counteracts denial - as we get honest about our addiction.

Write a list of any things that you have lost - the people who’ve been hurt - and the damage to your life - that has resulted from your use of alcohol or drugs.

Put this list in a place where you will see it every day. Use it as a reminder - to do the things that you need to do to stay well.

Acceptance helps us to face our fear - and relieves us of the many ways that we struggle to avoid it.

Rather than trying to change the person next to us - we learn to accept them - to settle our self - and to do the things that we need to do.

The words - If only - what if and I wish - always indicate a lack of acceptance.

It is by accepting the choices and events of the past - that we learn to ground our self now - and to learn what we need to do differently today.

Acceptance in Action

Repeat the Serenity Prayer quietly to your self - and notice what comes to your mind.

Grant me the Serenity - to accept the things that I cannot change - Courage to change the things that I can - and Wisdom to know the difference.

This simple prayer offers insight, clarity, relief and power - to those who take the time to recall it.

To let go of struggle is a way to find acceptance.

Ask your self - what person you are trying to change - in an effort to make things better for your self.

It is sometimes when we let go of our need to control others - that we better see what we need to do for our selves.

Let go of the issue most troubling you today.

Believe for right now - that others will do what they are going to do.

Ask for help to find your way - for the insight and strength to do what it is necessary.

Acceptance is not to resign your self - that things can never change.

But it is letting go of people and things not ours to change. It is learning to see things as they truly are - and about making choices that better respond to the reality of our life right now.

In Summary

Acceptance is to let go of struggle - and to take life as it is.

It is a moment of understanding - that right now - things are exactly as they need to be.

Acceptance counteracts denial - and reminds us to do the things necessary to do during each new day of our recovery.

You have now reached the end of Acceptance.

Look for this and other Learning Series topics at www.SupportNet.ca - Resources for Your Recovery.

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