“Letting go may sound so simple, but rarely is it a one-time thing. Just keep letting go, until one day it’s gone for good.”
Eleanor Brownn
“Don’t rush something you want to last forever. It takes time to build proper foundations, relationships, careers, creative pursuits. Things take time and it’s okay if you don’t have everything figured out just yet. Keep going.
Tim Stuh
“Sit with it. Sit with it. Sit with it. Sit with it. Even though you want to run. Even when it’s heavy and difficult. Even though you’re not quite sure of the way through. Healing happens by feeling.”
Dr. Rebecca Ray
#1 I have a life-threatening problem that once had me.
I now take charge of my life and my well-being.
I accept the responsibility.
Sobriety and Statement #1 work together to create a beautiful New Life. In her book Turnabout, our founder, Jean Kirkpatrick, Ph.D. writes, “The Women for Sobriety program is an affirmation of the value and worth of each woman. It is a program that leads each woman to assert her belief in self, a program that leads to seeing herself in a positive and self-confident image. She will see herself as forceful and compassionate, assertive and warm, capable and caring, resourceful and responsible.”
If you are sober curious or new to sobriety, Women for Sobriety (WFS) is an organization made up of women supporting women. WFS was founded by a woman who realized women have different needs in recovery; the need to overcome loneliness, feelings of excessive guilt, depression, and/or low or no self-esteem. The WFS Acceptance Statements aid in addressing each of these critical needs.
Right here, right now, you have everything within you that you need to succeed. Take a few moments each morning to set the tone for the day by reading the Statements. Choose one to focus on this week, one that feels relatable. Connect with other sober women, either online on our WFS Online Forum, in a chat meeting, or in face-to-face meetings. Learn about where addiction originates, and stay curious. Reach out, ask questions, and write down quotes or comments that speak to you. Your recovery is your own journey. Fill your life with joy, experiences, and adventure. It’s yours to invest in!
Hugzzz
Karen
Dear 4C Women,
I keep hearing myself say, if not now, then when? That was the thought that finally broke down my denial, fear, and uncertainty that I could do this. Mostly, it answered the question of why and what was I waiting for. What would it take to begin this journey of the unknown? As it turns out, the unknown became the precious realization that I matter and regaining all that self-esteem and self-empowerment Jean talked about in Turnabout. What a beautiful gift she gave to thousands of women who doubted their worth. Grateful is too small a word to acknowledge this courageous woman who understood the needs of women in recovery. Such an empowering way to see ourselves rather than continuing the path of believing we will never be good enough, feeling unlovable, and believing we cannot be forgiven by ourselves or others.
It was challenging to face my authentic feelings, and even harder to believe that I could heal from my hidden pain and start to blossom with joy and peace. I wanted so much to experience the peace of growing emotionally stronger, being available no matter what time of day, and having in-depth conversations with women who understood and encouraged me and I could do the same in return. Taking charge of my life seemed impossible yet I saw others doing it and I wanted the same for myself. I realized that I was holding on to false promises of being comforted when drinking– which while true for the moment, was not an inside life-changing promise that Statement #1 held. A temporary solution that led me back to emptiness and regret. I said this Statement so much in the beginning and I felt my thoughts change from hopeless to hopeful, from fearful to strong, from feeling lost to having a purpose, and from being reactive to being responsive in a positive way.
If you are struggling with getting started (sober curious), think about answering the question of “if not now, then when?” Hopefully, that answer will help you uncover what is holding you back, and what fears are standing in the way and leading you on an inspiring new path of healing and recovery.
Be kind to yourself while working on recovery. It is truly a journey with twists and turns. However, I believe those twists and turns are life lessons for us to dig deeper, create a better understanding of what our triggers are, and find new coping tools to help us respond to those triggers in a healthier, balanced way. Uncover the triggers, develop new coping tools, and create a New Life. Most of all, know that it is possible and for those who have grown and created a New Life for yourselves, please share, encourage, and support those who are just beginning. It makes a difference.
Bonded in believing we can do this by being in charge and healing on our recovery journey, Dee
Are you excited to attend some of the wonderful workshops we have at the 2023 conference this year? We are proud to offer a really great lineup of options for all the different things we thought you would enjoy!
Here’s a list of the title’s for each workshop as well as a film short. We will soon post more information about each person who will be running the workshops and what to expect!
