Marshall Point Lighthouse in the Evening

AA is the guide to my Higher Power

Recovery gives many benefits such as those related in the 12 promises of recovery. Each and every member of any 12 Step Fellowship has things they value.

One day I began to think about what I liked about recovery. I excluded the 12 Steps, Traditions and Promises and came up with a simply worded list.

This was my list on that day.

12 Things I like about recovery

  1. No more domestic violence
  2. No fear of the police
  3. Economic stability
  4. Better libido and sexual enjoyment
  5. A Higher Power that helps me in all of life
  6. Better relationships with family
  7. Wake up without a hangover – every day
  8. A Fellowship that is my second family
  9. Clear, rational thinking
  10. No deep, crippling depression
  11. No chronic, hurtful anger or resentments
  12. I can laugh at myself.

That was couple of months ago and as you can see, it was not specific to that day. But those were ‘general’ things that I liked about recovery.

So I began to make a specific list just for today.

12 Things I liked about my recovery today;

  1. Had a great 3 hour phone conversation with my son
  2. Told my 30 year old son I loved him and he reciprocated
  3. I had a good conversation with a neighbor
  4. I laughed at myself
  5. When I was driving, I didn’t look in the mirror for the police
  6. When I went to the supermarket I complimented the checkout women on their service and made a joke about my favorite chocolate being on special (I got extra)
  7. I wrote this list
  8. Published 8 articles to my websites
  9. Read part of a book
  10. Meditated
  11. Cooked myself a good, healthy meal
  12. Thanked my Higher Power for this day of sobriety

Fellow members suggested I keep it simple right from the start of my sobriety. That’s what I aim for. My day was simply simple.

What are your 12 Things you like about your recovery today? Feel free to share them with others in the comments section.