the Journal #146 | Page 18

Thank You for Your Help and Acceptance

Thank you so much for accepting me in this hard time that I am going through. I have had two months sober from my bottom-line (which is contact with my ex-boyfriend who is very unhealthy). I have been dating (if that’s what you can call it ) one of my best friends.

We are great for each other (other than the fact that he doesn’t show me attention like my bottom-line [ex-boyfriend] and I don’t get the same satisfaction as I would with my bottom-line). I had been going very strong until about a week ago. I have been comparing my present to my past more and more.

I don’t ever want to hurt anyone, especially the person I am with now. That is why I am asking for help to recover from my old habits and fight the temptations of what I think I want, but that I know isn’t good for me. Thank you for taking the time to read this and help me through these times of painful recovery.

— JESSY

To be a tree

Strong

Tall

Rooted

To let my branches spread

My leaves flutter in the wind

To accept nourishment

As the sun’s rays hit

And the water seeps into my roots

Oh, to be a tree

still

And

Present

Building a healthier relationship with myself has allowed me to explore my creativity because I have less judgment against myself and less fear regarding others’ opinions of me. I have always judged myself as not enough in all areas of my life, especially relating to my creativity and success.

Putting myself “out there” in all aspects of my life is still scary, but I can do it when I am in a safe environment (such as S.L.A.A.). As my recovery continues, the world is becoming a safer environment for me. I can trust that I am going to be OK. I can be like a tree, still and present, without worrying too much about life. My worries come up automatically, but I notice them and turn them over to my Higher Power and I feel safe knowing that I am enough.

— ANNA Y.

“Basking in the Sun”

Building a healthier relationship with myself has allowed me to explore my creativity because I have less judgment against myself and less fear regarding others’ opinions of me. I have always judged myself as not enough in all areas of my life, especially relating to my creativity and success.

Putting myself “out there” in all aspects of my life is still scary, but I can do it when I am in a safe environment (such as S.L.A.A.). As my recovery continues, the world is becoming a safer environment for me. I can trust that I am going to be OK. I can be like a tree, still and present, without worrying too much about life. My worries come up automatically, but I notice them and turn them over to my Higher Power and I feel safe knowing that I am enough.

— ANNA Y.

the Journal, Issue #146

18