Monday Thoughts 12.02.24

“I chose sober because I wanted a better life.  I stay sober because I got one.”  –Unknown

 “I hope you live louder. I hope you laugh more. I hope you sing at the top of your lungs. I hope you drive with the windows down and let the wind rustle through your hair. I hope you hug. I hope you kiss. I hope you surround yourself with people who make you feel alive. I hope you become the type of person that brings good energy wherever you go, and the type of person people want to be around. I hope you speak what’s on your mind, that you raise your voice for injustice, that you tell others that you love them, instead of waiting until it’s too late. I hope you live louder, shine brighter. From this moment on.”  –Marisa Donnelly

“Being sober delivered almost everything drinking promised.”  –Anne Lamott

“Dedicate yourself to the good you deserve and desire for yourself. Give yourself peace of mind. You deserve to be happy.” –Hannah Arendt

#11 Enthusiasm is my daily exercise.

I treasure the moments of my New Life.

Karen’s Thoughts

This time of year, visions of holidays are everywhere; colorful twinkling lights, bargain sales and wintry weather dotting the landscape. There is also an air of underlying enthusiasm.  Yet this time of year can also bring about feelings of unease in addition to an increase in triggers.  Thankfully, applying Statement #11 to our recovery can shift unease towards a path of enthusiasm or contentment.

Are you feeling enthusiastic about your recovery?  Take a moment and think about it.  We all embrace feelings of everyday enthusiasm and we can prepare for feelings of unease.  This looks different on everyone but the basics of sobriety and recovery are identical.  We are bonded together in overcoming our addictions and preventing relapse.

Identifying triggers can lessen cravings and stop relapse from happening. External triggers can be a commercial, tv show or isle in the store, certain people or family, or being in environments or holiday events while internal triggers can be remembering past usage, feeling stressed, depressed or anxious, or imagining/planning on using.  Writing down any triggers keeps you aware and opens the door to planning and action.  Once identified, empowering arrangements can be made to manage them by connecting through our WFS Online forum, or face to face or online meetings. This week, review/discover triggers and create a plan for managing and preventing relapse.  Stay enthusiastic about your recovery!

Hugzzz

Karen

Dee’s Thoughts

Dear 4C Women,

I love the quotes Karen shared and her approach to Statement #11 concerning enthusiasm in our personal recovery.  I have been triggered and activated by so much this past year and a half that experiencing enthusiasm has been challenging, yet it has occurred in unexpected moments.  However, the question about how enthusiastic we have been about our recovery, is exactly what I needed to remember.  After so many years, I took it for granted until this past year.  I have to say that I am grateful for my sobriety.  Karen’s question helped me reflect and remember why I became sober, how my life changed in such a beautiful lasting way.  It also reminded me why remaining sober during grief is because I do have a much better life and I want to hold on to that, especially in my grief.  Relapsing won’t change what happened, but it would change my whole life going forward and certainly not in a positive way!  WFS has taught me that expressing authentic feelings is empowering.  It releases the negative thoughts that hold us hostage.  For me, that is enthusiasm in its highest form and a key to maintaining my sobriety.

I had a trigger this Sunday when an announcement was made at church about an upcoming event which includes a contest for the tastiest Christmas dessert.  While I don’t bake, my whole family did, especially at Christmas.  My mom use to keep a tin of my favorite cookies on the stairs so when I came home to visit, I knew they would be there.  Then I remembered how my daughter loved baking chocolate chip cookies from scratch for the people at work and for us.  I started filling up with tears at the thought of her baking.  I paused and I envisioned the joyful smile on her face as she packed up those cookies for the people in work. That one change in thinking was an enthusiastic moment.  I’ll take it.  I hope you had those enthusiastic moments this past year and hold onto them.  May you add your recovery to that enthusiasm and remember the “why” and cherish the reason. 

How would you describe your enthusiasm? 

How do you show your enthusiasm? 

Bonded in reflecting on your enthusiasm in recovery, in ordinary everyday life and keeping those treasured moments/times in your heart, Dee

Dear Women for Sobriety Community,

I hope this message finds you well and that you had a lovely Thanksgiving weekend, whether you celebrated with family and friends or took time for yourself. Since we reached women in areas that do not celebrate Thanksgiving this past weekend, we hope you had a great weekend too! For those who may have faced struggles during this time, please know that it’s completely okay. We’re here to support you every step of the way.

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to each of you for joining me in celebrating my 50th birthday. It was a joy to share that special occasion with this incredible community. If you haven’t had a chance to watch the birthday video yet, I invite you to click here.

As we step into the season of giving, I want to remind you that tomorrow is Giving Tuesday. I hope you’ve enjoyed our 13 Days of Giving, where we celebrated our community by giving away special gifts that represent our 13 Acceptance Statements. If you are in a position to donate this Giving Tuesday, I would be immensely grateful. Every dollar raised helps us continue to support more women on their journeys to sobriety. 

If a donation isn’t possible for you at this time, I invite you to consider volunteering your time with Women for Sobriety. We have so many exciting opportunities for you to get involved, from hosting online activities to becoming a Certified Facilitator. If you have skills in communications, we would love to find someone to help enhance our social media presence next year. Additionally, we’re launching new programming in the upcoming year aimed at supporting not just those in recovery, but their friends and families as well. Your involvement can make a significant difference!

As we move forward together, let’s continue to uplift one another. Each of you brings something unique and valuable to our community, and it’s through our collective strength that we can foster hope and healing. Remember, no matter where you are on your journey, you are never alone.

With love and gratitude,

Michelle Shaivitz, Ed.D.
Executive Director