Peace is Every Step: War raging within us...

As I was looking at You Tube today (one place i look for inspiration to write these blog-articles), I came upon a trailer for a new Film: "Peace Is Every Step: Meditation in Action"...and in the trailer a man says "each of us has a War waging within our hearts."
This is powerful! Doesn't it underscore how we are Powerless over our addiction? Once a war starts in this physical realm, like Iraq...there is no winner! The war only begins to end when we can admit, we are powerless.
For us, as individuals, the war waging in our heart will always be lurking in the shadows, even after we have declared a Cease-Fire. For as soon as our tempting addiction object comes into view, an inner battle begins to brew.
Learn to be still. Learn to "do nothing" Practice meditation. Notice and Recognize the temptation...and let it stay just that...a temptation outside ourselves...that has no stronghold over us.
We have declared a cease-fire...and we are cultivating peace in our own hearts.

Addiction-12 Steps Life Learning Device

This seems like an advertisement---but it really hits home.

Change -- the "mother" of all stressers

Change has been a common weekly theme.  When a therapist gives you an inventory to find out the changes in your life...each change has a number on a scale...EVERY change has a number... that tells us that all the small changes add up to BIG numbers in the end... big numbers mean big change (BIG STRESS).. so the little things really do matter.  Learning to vent the small things, let things roll off your back if possible, and finding outlets that are positive-reinforcement, outer circle, healthy behaviors: are such important Tools towards recovery.

Change IS going to happen.  Have tools, use tools, stay sober.

Starting out: Help for Staying Sober In The Face of Temptation

I'm new to the program.  Which one? SAA...but you name it, we all need help staying sober, right?  Sometimes we are busy, can't go to enough meetings during the week, and may feel too afraid to make a phone call.  And sometimes, we are already on the computer---feeling tempted to engage in acting out on our addiction.  Let this be a spot where anyone can go for encouraging words, and leaving comments, questions, and concerns.  Let this be a forum for learning, understanding, and NO judgements.
Please note, that just because you leave a question: doesn't mean the RIGHT answer will always be posted...asking a question here, is much like asking a question in a meeting: you're simply going to get someone elses opinion, unless a reference is sited.
Please don't  post specifics about names, cities, drug of choice, actions, etc... The moderator reserves the right to edit out details which may be triggers for other readers.

Today's message is simple: remind yourself that you have great reasons to stay sober, by making it through today, tomorrow will be easier...the rewards for doing what is right for yourself is far greater than any outward reward.