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Monday Thoughts 3.20.23

“You have a choice each and every single day. I choose to feel blessed. I choose to feel grateful. I choose to be excited. I choose to be thankful. I choose to be happy.”

Amber Housley

“I will not let anyone walk through my mind with their dirty feet.”

Gandhi

“It’s the small habits. How you spend your mornings. How you talk to yourself. What you read and what you watch. Who you share your energy with. Who has access to you. That will change your life.”

Michael Tonge


#13 I am responsible for myself and for my actions.

I am in charge of mind, my thoughts, and my life.


Statement #13, the culmination of the WFS New Life Program and part of Level Six is the recovery chapter of a sober New Life. While sobriety is the beginning of abstinence, one without alcohol or substances, recovery is much more than not drinking or using. Recovery is the healing or process of living better, or in balance emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and physically.

Statement #13 in action can also be the stop sign before relapse. Being in charge of my mind, my thoughts, and my life, I am able to examine and manage inner dialogue. If there is internal conflict or friction, it is up to me to disarm it, no one else, it comes from within. Blaming, which is something I did easily before sobriety and recovery, can be a big indicator of imbalance.

In our WFS Beginners Collection booklet, our founder Jean Kirkpatrick, Ph.D. writes “The entire object of this ‘New Life’ Program is to come to this point: to the maturity of accepting ourselves and being responsible for ourselves and all that we do. By accepting responsibility for who we are and what we do, we have broken away from unhealthy dependencies upon others to see us through life. We have become whole. We make ourselves whole.” This week, examine what sobriety means to you and what recovery means to you. What tools do you use to manage your mind and your thoughts? What is the change that has made the biggest impact in your life?

Hugzzz

Karen


Dear 4C Women,

I have been thinking about Karen’s question of what change has made the biggest impact on my recovery life. My first thought was “change” period! I changed my whole attitude and outlook in so many ways. I especially related to blaming everyone else for my unhappy life. It took a lot of courage to practice this Statement, to be responsible and in charge when I felt so empty, so lost, and searching for a way to trust myself to change my life in a positive way without alcohol. I decided that in order to accomplish this, I needed to accept this Statement with hope in my heart that I could become a responsible sober woman. I rebelled at first because it did mean I had to give up the blame game and that was pretty scary. To be in charge of my mind, thoughts, and life was quite a challenge, to say the least. I had to look deep into my inner conflict and actually, both believe I could change my negative attitude and the fear of such a momentous change to becoming a 4C woman.  Fear was my stumbling block. Fear of change, fear of failure, fear of being in charge, plain old fear everywhere I looked.

Once the wall of fear started crumbling, I felt free for the first time in my life. I didn’t think that freedom would be the outcome of being in charge of my life. I made mistakes for sure. The difference is that I learned from them, created much better coping tools, made better choices but most of all, I didn’t retreat to old coping methods when I was unsure or made mistakes. Let’s face it, we all continue to make mistakes. That is part of human nature. However, I believe we go from surviving to thriving and that keeps us moving forward. We are also supported and encouraged by so many wonderful 4C women. We are not alone and that is what I love when I get those moments of doubt. I don’t run away; I stop and reflect. I seek input and do my best to keep Statement #13 always in the forefront of my thoughts, reactions, responses, attitude, and recovery because, in the end, I am responsible for my choices. I am learning to respect and trust my instincts as best I can. Life changes and the life lessons continue. As I wrote this, I laughed out loud wishing there weren’t so many lessons sometimes!

What is the change that has made the biggest impact on your recovery life?

How do you handle mistakes? What are your coping tools?

Do you acknowledge your successes or gloss over them?

Are you giving permission for those with dirty feet to walk through your mind? Can you identify them and set healthy boundaries for your well-being?

Do you trust and respect your instincts?

For those struggling in trusting themselves to be in charge of their life, remember it is not the length of the journey but the willingness to take it. And most importantly, this is not a solo journey. Yes, we are responsible for our individual actions/choices, yet there is so much support and encouragement from those who are journeying with us. We are students and teachers at different moments. Whichever you are right now, please trust yourself to be the teacher or the student.

Bonded together on this journey, Dee

 


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Monday Thoughts 12.19.22

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“If life is a stage and you are your own agent, then don’t hesitate to play the character you wish to play.”

Richelle E. Goodrich

“You’ll never know who you are unless you shed who you pretend to be.”

Vironika Tugaleva

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson


#13 I am responsible for myself and for my actions.

I am in charge of my mind, my thoughts, and my life.


Sobriety and Statement #13 in action lay a foundation for long-term recovery. While the Statements can be utilized in any order, this Statement is a part of Level Six of the WFS New Life Program which focuses on “A New Self.”  But what exactly is a ‘New Self’? I am confident that if you asked ten different women what that means, you could get eleven different answers. However, one thing is for certain: it’s a New Life without a substance of choice.

For many women, including myself, it was easier to try to fit into someone else’s idea of what life was all about. It didn’t matter if I was trying to fit a round peg into a square hole. By adjusting who I was at the core for someone/thing else, it became a recipe for overwhelming feelings of inadequacy and lack. To combat this, alcohol was a tool (or so I thought) that I reached for but that simply broke the round peg.

Yet through that shattering, something beautiful emerged…A New Self! A self that could be molded into a perfect fit. Statement #13 asserts “I am in charge of my mind, my thoughts, and my life.” It is incredibly freeing to simply be yourself. You are the designer of your life, so make it your own. Statement #13 is a reminder that it’s a process. You can shed parts that are no longer needed while embracing or inviting parts that you do desire. Today is a new day and a brand-new week, make it your own!

Hugzzz

Karen


Hi 4C Women,

I am grateful for being in charge of my mind, my thoughts, and my life. Yet, there are still times when I do some wishful thinking that someone would take over my responsibilities for just a few days. Do you ever feel that way?

With the holidays, it seems more challenging and I try to follow my own advice about giving something up to give myself more self-care time without guilt. Now I think that qualifies as being responsible!

For the first time in many years, I did not wear myself out with over-decorating. A lot of that has to do with the pain I’ve been experiencing. Yet, as I looked around my snowman extravaganza, I still experienced joy. When I was drinking, I pretended to be someone I was not. I did what was expected and never thought of asking for help or lessening my tasks. WFS has helped me to realize the strength in asking for support even when I still feel slightly uncomfortable, to do less and be honest about my limitations, and to find joy in what I can accomplish.

I do this exercise each year with the group I moderate. I provide them with 3 questions to answer, a small gift bag of their choice and ask them to put this bag under their tree or whatever holiday they celebrate in order to practice self-care, have recognition of the blessings they received, and acknowledge the changes they have made during the year. It’s the gift they give to themselves and to always put themselves on that gift list.

1.    Acknowledgment of positive change(s) made this year
2.    Blessing(s) received this year
3.    Self-care plans for 2023

I hope you will consider doing this for yourself in acknowledging your personal growth and creating plans to continue being in charge of your mind, your thoughts, and your life. Be the gift you want and deserve to receive.
Bonded in being responsible, in charge, being authentic, and practicing self-care, Dee


Donate While You Shop – At No Cost To You!

Did you know you can donate to worthy causes like Women for Sobriety while you shop for holiday gifts when you use AmazonSmile?

AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon with the same products, prices, and shopping features as Amazon.com. The difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmileyou can elect to donate 0.5% of your purchase to the charity of your choice – at no cost to you. This includes WFS!

If you already shop on Amazon, or if you’re looking for the perfect holiday gift for your loved one, we invite you to shop at smile.amazon.com and select Women for Sobriety as your charity of choice.

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Monday Thoughts 9.19.22

women for sobriety stacked logo

“You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.”

Abraham Lincoln

“Adulthood is like the vet, and we’re all dogs that were excited for the ride until we realized where we’re going.”

Unknown

“No one else is going to build the life you want for you.  No one else will even be able to completely understand it.  The most amazing souls will show up to cheer you along the way, but this is your game.  Make a pact to be in it with yourself for the long haul, as your own supportive friend at every step along the way.”

Tara Mohr


#13 I am responsible for myself and for my actions.

I am in charge of my mind, my thoughts and my life.


Sobriety and Statement #13 in action are a combination that paves the way for long-term recovery. Our founder, Jean Kirkpatrick, Ph.D., understood her need for a different kind of recovery program, and when she couldn’t find it, she constructed it. Jean created the New Life she wanted by taking responsibility for her life, thereby giving us the opportunity for a sober New Life as well.

In early sobriety, the concept of responsibility was frightening. I really didn’t understand what it meant, and my healing brain tried to figure it out. Inside, I thought responsibility meant solving problems for everyone and being in two different places at a time. Kind of like my parents. Over time, I realized that it meant responding with my ability. It was the beginning of learning to trust myself to make decisions, redirect thoughts, and create a life that matched my heart. Of course, there were still many unknowns, but I was learning to challenge myself and really believe in myself.

Anytime we overcome a craving or extinguish a trigger, we are saying YES to ourselves and putting action into Statement #13. Responding to a thought that takes us further away from a goal by redirecting or challenging it, is action into this empowering Statement. Each day this week, examine how you responded and overcame something challenging.  How did it feel? What did you learn about yourself? What would you like to create in your life? What small action can you take this week towards that?

Hugzzz

Karen


Hi 4C Women,

I laughed out loud at the quote about being a dog, all excited for the ride, until we realized where we were going. After my divorce, I was initially terrified to be responsible for everything after 27 years of marriage, yet I was also excited to be making my own choices, to be in charge. All these years later, I am grateful to have learned a ton of life lessons, survived several mistakes that I was sure I wouldn’t, and still, every once in a while, I do some wishful thinking about having someone take over my responsibilities for perhaps a week to give me a break. There is so much to learn and unlearn. I learned that Superwoman does not exist in real life and unlearned that I have to do it all and perfectly. I also realize that when I want someone to take over for a brief time, I am just feeling overwhelmed. It is not a judgment on my abilities, it is a recognition of needing a breather and asking for input or support, knowing that the final responsibility and decision is mine.

Karen was absolutely right about “trust.” It took quite a while for me to trust my decision-making and problem-solving skills. Working through my pain, healing from my past, and learning to ask for help all created trust in me. I trusted myself!  I finally chose courage over comfort. It was comfortable to have others tell me what would be the best choice for me, to decide what to do, and where to go. One day I realized that I was allowing fear to control my life, mostly fear of making mistakes in my choices which is why I either didn’t make a decision or relied on others to do it for me. That was my comfort zone. If their choice was wrong, I wore my “blame them” crown. It fit so well. However, with WFS I learned that fear took away the courage I needed to be in charge of my life. While I recognized that fear is a natural response, I also learned to not deny my feelings but find a way to uncover and discover where they were coming from. From that came the tools I needed to problem-solve and be confident.

Even mistakes are powerful life lessons, not a deterrent.  I love that WFS encourages us to be authentic. My fear was very real to me yet I needed to reflect with compassion to understand its roots. I did discover them and it completely changed my thought pattern. The inner critic that said I was stupid was from the past, from some who are no longer here or in my life. Yet I gave them room to rent in my mind. Well, their lease was up and I am now the sole owner!

Have you been able to uncover and discover your fears that might be holding you back from practicing and living Statement #13?

In doing so, how has that changed your approach to being in charge of your mind, thoughts, and life as far as cravings, triggers, and decision-making?

How do you say yes to you? I love Karen’s description of saying no to a craving or a trigger is saying yes to you.

Having plans has always been a part of WFS. If Plan A doesn’t work, go on to Plan B, Plan C.  It’s all part of learning to be in charge of our actions as best as we can. Learning what does and does not work for us individually. So, if you are triggered or your inner critic is screaming false messages in your ear, what plans do you have to live Statement #13 for well-being and recovery?

Bonded in learning and discovering our needs to be in charge of our actions, and our life, Dee


WFS is proud to announce the start of the LGBTQ+ Affinity Group meeting!

Thursday, September 29 at 12pm ET

Please email [email protected] with questions and to obtain the exact location of the meeting.

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Monday Thoughts 6.20.22

women for sobriety decorative image responsibility

“Take responsibility for yourself; it’s very rewarding.”

Amanda Green

“The secret ingredients to true happiness? Decisive optimism and personal responsibility.”

Amy Leigh Mercree

“Taking responsibility for oneself is by definition an act of kindness.”

Sharon Salzberg


#13 I am responsible for myself and for my actions.

I am in charge of my mind, my thoughts, and my life.


Statement #13 in action is the culmination of dedication, change, and perseverance. By investing in self, we bring ourselves to life in new and rewarding ways. Drugs or alcohol severed this connection to life and it is through sobriety and recovery, that life becomes vibrant and fulfilling.

In her book Goodbye Hangovers Hello Life, our founder, Jean Kirkpatrick, Ph.D. writes, “There is a power deep in us that we have never before touched. We have never taken the time to find it, even if we knew it was there. Now we are going to find and use it. This is the power of our mind and the power of our thoughts, through the use of which we can significantly change our lives.” It begins within us and with Statement #13, continues our evolution.

How each of us practice this Statement is individual, for each of us responds with our own abilities. What works for one may not work for another and vice versa. We get to grow into ourselves and our New Life. Of course, there are times when life can feel stagnant and unmoving, but there are also those times when life feels like it’s moving in a blur and everything in between. Through it all, we are in charge of our minds, our thoughts, and life!

Here are 4 ways to aid in living responsibly:

  • Prioritize YOU: As the old airline adage says, “put your own oxygen mask on first.” What area of your life do you need to make yourself a priority?
  • Release blame and pause before complaining: Before responding in intense emotion, pause. Take a breath. There is no need to knee-jerk react. Ask yourself questions to dive deeper into understanding and compassion.
  • Be accountable: When you say you will (fill in the blank) …. follow through. If it seems overwhelming at first, break it down into manageable pieces. Embrace the flow.
  • Mind your mind: Focus on balance, manage thoughts, release negativity/fear and set realistic goals. You are in charge of yourself.

Hugzzz

Karen


Hi 4C Women,

When I finally learned to release total blame on everyone and everything that I believed was wrong in my life and focus on taking responsibility for my role in a situation, I learned many life lessons from it. This also included accountability for the other person who may have caused harm or hurt. Big difference from putting the entire blame on someone or something. It is a two-way street and that helped me to understand how important it was to find and speak my truthful voice while acknowledging my part. This is why prioritizing ourselves helps us to react/respond in a healthier way to achieve change – our inside change. Yelling, screaming, blaming, remaining silent, keeping it all inside or even feeling it’s all our fault resolves nothing and teaches nothing. Accountability and responsibility are the best teachers in creating authentic change. I blamed my father, teachers, bosses, and toxic relationships for my life as I thought I had no choice. Well, my choice was to drink away the feelings as I accepted the pain and hurt thrown at me. Zero lessons, zero change. This is not to say that it was okay to be harmed by anyone! Thanks to WFS and this Statement in particular, I realized my responsibility is how I took that situation, the hurt, and the pain, and learned to do something different. I reacted differently (which was a huge challenge and confused the people who expected the usual reaction). I felt so empowered being in charge of my thoughts and how I found a way to express my voice in a competent, responsible, and may I say, a calmer manner. I was no longer behaving like a victim of my circumstances but a strong voice in my choices.

Here’s another lesson I learned and that is it’s not always a straight line to being in charge of my mind, thoughts, and life. I have faltered and succeeded. Many times, it depends on the person, the situation, and even my level of confidence at that given moment. Knowing that stops the personal judgment when I falter and gives myself credit when I succeed. It goes back to Karen’s point of setting realistic goals. Perfection does not exist and is a roadblock to personal growth, life lessons, and authentic change. Something I realized as I practiced this Statement is that the word fault started dropping from my thoughts and was replaced with the empowered word, “responsibility.” That one-word change had a great impact on how I started viewing a situation. For me, it meant I had options and was willing to try those options. I sought input and didn’t see that as a weakness but as a strength. I was previously fearful of seeking help, believing that I would be judged for not having problem-solving or decision-making skills. I was learning gratefulness as well for those who were willing to patiently share their life experiences to support me in building my coping toolbox.  This is the outcome of being part of such an empowering program where we can be authentic and grow emotionally without fear of judgment.

Bonded in being empowered, responsible, and willing to learn, Dee


Late registration for in-person attendance is available!

On-demand registration will continue through July 31st.

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Monday Thoughts 3.21.22

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“You are as amazing as you let yourself be. Let me repeat that. You are as amazing as you let yourself be.” Elizabeth Alraune

“Incredible change happens in your life when you decide to take control of what you have power over, instead of craving control over what you don’t.” Steve Maraboli

“Control your thoughts. Decide about that which you will think and concentrate upon. You are in charge of your life to the degree you take charge of your thoughts.” Earl Nightingale


#13 I am responsible for myself and for my actions.

I am in charge of my mind, my thoughts, and my life.


Practicing Statement #13 is not a one and done but in fact, a life-long commitment to sobriety and recovery. In our WFS Program booklet, it states “The purpose of the New Life Program is self-acceptance and being responsible for ourselves and all that we do. By accepting responsibility, we can break away from unhealthy dependencies.”

Before New Life, I recall feeling completely beat up and used by the world. Life felt painful and unfair. Turning to alcohol for escape, I created more imbalance and uncertainty, as well as physical and emotional turmoil. Something had to change, and it began with me.

With action into Statement #13, I set the tone for each day. Of course, energy levels fluctuate as well as physical abilities but it begins with the mind. When I focus on balancing thoughts and maintaining structure, the day can gently unfold. Even with the difficult world news right now, I am in charge of how I think and react. Every day, I can “look for the helpers,” by that, I mean that in every difficult or challenging situation, there are people who are the helpers. They try to make a small difference in their own way. Just a simple shift of attention to the helpers can move thoughts of fear/worry into a healthier pattern. This week, look for the helpers or be the helper. The world can always use a helping hand.

Hugzzz
Karen


Dear 4C Women,

I have been divorced for 28 years and just saying the number seems unreal to me at times. One of my favorite quotes is one I saw on a calendar many years ago: “Life is change, growth is possible, choose wisely.” That quote was a picture of my life during my separation and divorce. I experienced major changes, ones I had not imagined and I had a choice to grow or remain broken, fearful, and frozen. Fortunately, I had quit drinking before the separation so I was beginning to have clarity yet the fear of being totally responsible for every area of my life was strong. I had to learn vulnerability, to accept that I would make mistakes and survive but also learn if I was willing. My big question became, how am I and my life going to be different? How will my decisions affect me in 10 minutes, 10 months, 10 years? The deceit, the lies no longer served me as I was now committed to my sobriety. Yet, handling so much responsibility after being married for 27 years left me with a lot of uncertainty.

I often say that I am grateful for my addiction as it led me to seek help and the kind of help that lifted me up, changed my way of thinking and responding. Even though I thankfully was in therapy, the WFS program provided a powerful companion guide for lasting change in sobriety. I am a person who disliked change immensely yet here I was with the biggest life change I had ever experienced. Talk about walking away from dependencies – addiction, financial support, and identity – my role as a wife, provider of a safe emotional place for my children, finding a place to live after the house was sold all while working a full-time job and facilitating a WFS meeting. Facilitating a meeting was probably the most rewarding as it was a reminder of the gift of my New Life. I had tremendous support from the women in the group. I made lifelong friends and maintained my sobriety as I worked through my fears. Statement #13 reminded me that I could do this and I did.

I was blessed to have helpers in my life. I learned from each person who held out their hand just what being helped and being a helper for others meant. I was not a person who took risks yet I was thrust into a life of risk-taking. Through all the unknown territories I walked through, I was grateful that I was able to find the lesson. Before, I would focus on the mistake which did nothing for my self-esteem, problem-solving, or decision-making. Statement #13 was my guiding force.

In reflecting on your life today, how do you feel about being vulnerable, willing to take risks, accepting help, giving help, and how your decisions will affect you in 10 minutes, 10 months, 10 years? If you are triggered, your action could have a huge impact on either of the 10s. I thought a lot about that when I was triggered and thankfully, it empowered me, even more, to stand strong, to keep that 4C woman intact, and survive any mistakes I made. It was not an easy journey yet worth every up and down as long as I was willing to learn, grow, be accountable and accept the tremendous support from my 4C sisters.

What one major change are you currently experiencing?

What is the most challenging part of the situation?

What is your reaction to change?

How will you better care for yourself during the course of the change?

What problem solving and decision-making skills are you learning in this situation?

Are you able to be a helper and/or accept help?

Bonded in taking responsibility, learning the lessons, and standing strong, Dee


 

Women for Sobriety Conference Scholarships available

Are you or a WFS sister interested in attending our in-person or the on-demand 2022 WFS Conference in need of financial assistance?

Apply Here!

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Monday Thoughts 12/20/2021

statement 13

Monday Thoughts

 “I am woman phenomenally.  Phenomenal woman, that’s me.”  ~~Maya Angelou

“Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim.”  ~~Nora Ephron

“There is no limit to what we, as women can accomplish.”  ~~Michelle Obama

 #13 I am responsible for myself and for my actions.

I am in charge of my mind, my thoughts and my life.


The WFS New Life program and especially Statement #13 provide a framework for continuing growth and motivation.  This Statement is the crown jewel and offers sustaining sobriety and recovery when put into daily action.  It is meant to create lasting depth and trust in our 4C lives.

Leaving behind the blame game and self-destructive behaviors, we can move forward and stand in our own strength.  In our WFS Program booklet it states “The purpose of the New Life Program is self-acceptance and being responsible for ourselves and all that we do.  By accepting responsibility, we can break away from unhealthy dependencies.” 

As the holidays and final days of the year draw nearer, we can pause and reflect in the knowledge that we are in charge of our mind and our lives.  In the midst of the hustle and bustle, the glow of the season, and for some, the cold, there is an opportunity for underlying ease and contentment.  Recently one 4C woman shared that this is the 11th year that her Christmas tree has stood beautifully decorated, without falling over with her in it.  A wonderful and simple joy indeed.

Hugzzz

Karen


Hi 4C Women,

Motivation and trust!  I think of how motivated I became once I started practicing this Statement.  I wanted to trust my instincts, to trust I would survive any mistake I made and for it to become a life lesson rather than a reassurance of my negative past thinking.  This Statement brought me freedom.  As I have shared many times, I was the Queen of the Blame Game.  I wore my crown proudly.  As long as that crown was secure on my head, I was not responsible for the outcome of any of the choices or decisions I made.  Once I began trusting myself, I felt so empowered and I wanted more of that feeling. 

Two of Dr. Phil’s life laws are “we teach people how to treat us” and “we can’t change what we won’t acknowledge.”   I realized that I was also teaching myself how to treat me.  I treated myself as though I was unworthy, incompetent, invisible, incapable, inadequate of being in charge of anything, especially my life!  Statement #13 was a life changer indeed.  I began to acknowledge that my negative thoughts were harming me, holding me back and quite honestly, no longer applied to my recovery life if I wanted one.  I held the key to unlock the negative definition of me and my life.  Once I trusted myself, I not only unlocked the door, I threw away the key.  While there have been setbacks, the key I now held in my hands was Statement #13.  It became my mantra and every time I felt fearful of making a decision, I kept telling myself I was in charge and no matter the outcome, I could handle it.   I learned to handle mistakes and celebrate/learn from my successes as well.  I began to acknowledge that focusing solely on my mistakes rather than learning from them, was holding me back, unnecessarily keeping me a prisoner.  I held on tighter to that new key. 

I found a mantra from a calendar years ago and I still use it today.
“Life is change, growth is possible, choose wisely.”  This mantra taught me to pause and consider several possibilities/solutions to an issue.  I chose as wisely as I could with the information I had and no matter what the outcome, growth was possible.  Learning promotes growth.  Constantly berating a mistake promotes a negative self-image and hinders our growth. 

When considering the choice in how we look at our decision making/problem solving, when was the last time you trusted your instincts?  Describe the situation, the people, the outcome.

Do you learn from your mistakes?  Do you acknowledge and celebrate your successes or gloss over them? 

For those struggling in trusting themselves to be in charge of their life, remember it is not the length of the journey, but the willingness to take it.  And most importantly, this is not a solo journey.  Yes, we are responsible for our individual actions, yet there is so much support and encouragement from those who are journeying with us.  We are students and teachers at different moments.  Whichever you are right now, please trust yourself to be the teacher or the student.  We are bonded together on this journey, Dee


Hear more about Statement #13

 

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Monday Thoughts 9/20/2021

“Just believe in yourself.  Even if you don’t, pretend that you do and at some point, you will.”  ~~Venus Williams

“Life can go in many directions but the belief in yourself is the map to the unknown.”  ~~Anne Neil

“You may be the only person left who believes in you, but it’s enough.  It takes just one star to pierce a universe of darkness.  Never give up.”  ~~Richelle E. Goodrich


#13 I am responsible for myself and for my actions.

I am in charge of my mind, my thoughts, and my life.


In our WFS Reflections for Growth booklet our founder, Jean Kirkpatrick, PhD writes “Do you have faith in yourself?  Do you have faith in your ability to accomplish?  More importantly, do you have faith in your sobriety?  Faith is belief.  To stay sober, we must have faith in ourselves.  We must believe, trust, and have faith in our ability to accept our self-responsibility.”  This is an eye-opening way to examine faith in our New Lives and put action into Statement #13.

Addiction removed the ability to accept, believe or feel confidence in myself.  My belief system had become misplaced, and I unconsciously allowed others to make decisions in my life.  Faith in others came way before faith in myself.  Because of the WFS New Life Program, sobriety and recovery helped change direction and feel a sense of balance.

Challenging myself became a way to practice Statement #13 and feel responsible, which definitely increased belief in myself.  For example, knowing I wanted to get involved with WFS, becoming a Certified Facilitator was a route available.  I could either start a F2F meeting or one online.  Being more comfortable online, I chose to start a F2F.  This cemented faith, growth, and responsibility.  Today I know and have faith that I am a capable, competent, caring, and compassionate woman!

Hugzzz

Karen


Hi 4C Women,

In the beginning, I was like a rebellious teenager when it came to Statement #13.  I wanted to say, I am NOT responsible for myself and my actions.  I mean if I’m responsible, that means I have to actually stop my blame game and learn to make my own decisions, cope with the mistakes I would and did make, change my entire way of thinking and it was scary.  So much easier to blame others and just sit back and do nothing.  In totality, the 13 Statements are building blocks, a phenomenal guide to taking responsibility, to feel completely in charge of our minds, our thoughts and our lives.  I eventually began to feel empowered.  I didn’t have to hide my power; I could speak my voice.  It felt fabulous.  And mistakes, well it was shocking that the world didn’t stop turning when I made mistakes.

I am sure the people in my life were delighted with this change.  No more constantly complaining how horrible my life was because of others.   I was no longer an emotional victim of life’s situations or other people nor did I want to play that victim role anymore.  There are still times when I feel overwhelmed with being in charge yet I would rather work through those times than be stuck and fearful of a challenging situation or person.  And knowing I am in charge of my responses, my choices, provides a strength and courage I hold on to tightly.

Here’s the best part – I no longer deny my authentic feelings of fear and confusion at times.  I am fortunate to have the tools and the support of my WFS sisters to hear without judgement, provide insight from their own life experiences and space to make my own decisions.

Nancy Cross once shared a message with some questions from Iyanla Vanzant as it related to this Statement.  These questions helped me define how willing I was to practice Statement #13 in earnest.

1.       Are you willing to be a free and independent thinker?  (This one truly spoke to me the loudest.  When I was married, I didn’t realize how much I repeated my former husband’s point of view on everything.  One day, a co-worker asked me if I realized that I started every sentence with, “Ed said.”  He asked if I had thoughts or opinions of my own.  Wow!  That was a wake-up call.)

2.       Are you willing to stand up for yourself?  To speak up for yourself?

3.       Are you willing to be the one who calls the shots?

4.       Are you willing to walk away from the people who will be very upset when you stand up and speak up?  (This occurred during my separation when I found my voice.  It is challenging especially if we hold onto guilt from the past and feel we don’t deserve to speak our wants and needs.  Oh, but we do!  Remember that your past does not equal your future. We used alcohol or drugs to cope and practicing the WFS program teaches us to value ourselves as we work towards a New Life in recovery.)

5.       Are you willing to have fun and joy in total peace all by yourself, if necessary?

6.       Are you comfortable with saying no and realize it is a complete sentence?

7.       In learning to be responsible for yourself, have you set healthy boundaries to achieve your wants and needs?

Bonded in learning, growing, reaching out for support and being in charge!  Dee

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Monday Thoughts 6/21/2021

“No one is coming to save you, to give you permission, to choose you, or validate you.  This has always been your job.  You must love yourself so fiercely and fully that you have no choice but to be strong for yourself, to be yourself, and to build yourself.”  ~~Cara Leyba

“Do not let your fire go out, spark by irreplaceable spark in the hopeless swamps of the not-quite, the not-yet, and the not-at-all.  Do not let the hero in your soul perish in lonely frustration for the life you deserved and have never been able to reach.  The world you desire can be won.  It exists…it is real…it is possible….it’s yours.”  ~~Ayn Rand

“Responsibility to yourself means refusing to let others do your thinking, talking and naming for you; it means learning to respect and use your own brains and instincts; hence grappling with hard work.”  ~~Adrienne Rich


#13 I am responsible for myself and for my actions.

I am in charge of my mind, my thoughts, and my life.


Imagine being told that the color blue is your color.  Parents, school, friends, or community reinforce this color and it is woven through every fabric of your life.  Yet something feels like it’s missing in your blue world.  You cannot put your finger on it, but you feel a sense of unfulfillment.  You drink or use to fill that void.  That doesn’t help and you shift into sobriety. You begin to practice living the Statements every day.  At first, everything feels flat but soon you are getting glimpses of beautiful purples, bright teals and vivid yellows.  Your spirit feels brighter and you choose to live in responsibility and unexpectedly, a whole rainbow unfolds.  This spectrum fills you and you shine from within.  You welcome every variation of color, including your original blue.  This is it, your life in full display as responsibility weaves a new fabric through you.

Statement #13 in action sets into motion the life we need and desire.  It is responding with our ever- growing ability and building ourselves into our own hero.  It is not easy to stand in our strength yet the freedom that arises from separating ourself from ill-fitting belief systems or institutions cements a powerful feeling of authenticity to our lives.  It bridges gaps, illuminates brilliance while forging balance.

As we begin the second week out from our WFS “I’m Possible” 2021 Annual Conference, the workshops continue to be available through the weekend.  Take a moment to watch, listen and add your thoughts to this empowering event.  Your input is welcome and most needed as our beloved organization continues to grow and evolve.

How will you color your world this week?

Hugzzz

Karen


Hi 4C Women,

I love the analogy of being told what specific color is you and then realizing something is missing and how the rainbow of colors unfolds on your recovery path.  I can visualize walking down a road of solid blue and around the corner there is a peak of brilliant yellow, then pink, bright green and so much more.  It is an awakening of what life can be as you take responsibility for yourself and your actions.  I remember the surprise and actual joy I felt as I gained more confidence in being in charge of my mind, my thoughts and my life.  Scary at first yet the more I wandered out of my comfort zone, the more I felt empowered and strong enough to handle this new feeling of responsibility.

Life is change, growth is possible, choose wisely.  I found this quote on a calendar and it was my mantra for quite a while as I finally understood that if I wanted personal growth, I needed to choose wisely, and Statement 13 is certainly one of those empowering growth Statements.

I have a worksheet on the “change” process and one that spoke to me was “New Beginnings” – reorientation marked by new attitudes.  Oh, yes, attitudes – the kind that says I can do this!  It goes on to say that during this phase of change, individuals feel a new sense of belonging and commitment.  This is the time to let go of past behaviors and attitudes, to clarify your roles and responsibilities and to explore possibilities for the future.

I had given up on exploring or envisioning a future where I was in charge as that brought up all my fears of making mistakes, wrong decisions, rejection and just a whole bunch of negative thoughts about myself.  Yet, I felt such a pull to be the 4C woman I at first pretended to be.  So, here were the questions presented that I knew I needed to consider if I was to be the authentic 4c woman my heart ached for.

What do I need to make my vision a reality?

What progress am I making?

What support do I need?

I realized I needed to believe I could make my vision a reality.  I needed to acknowledge that no matter how small a step forward I was making, it was progress!  After all, I did not get to where I was in my actions and thoughts overnight, so I had to appreciate my commitment to trying my best, not giving up.

I needed the support of women who understood my fears and yet encouraged me to keep moving forward.  No explanations understood and accepted.  While the goal is independence, we all need to know we are interdependent.  Why walk alone when there are those who are standing beside you, in front of you leading the way and behind you to catch your back?

In one of the breakout sessions, we were told we were negotiators and I now understand that I was negotiating within myself to find ways to practice Statement 13.   I learned to change a negative thought to a positive one.  I learned to be proactive rather than reactive which changed my actions and outcome.  And one of the most important changes was that I praised myself for each new way of thinking, behaving and being in charge of my life.

Consider these additional questions:

How do you practice Statement 13?

How would you describe your vision of your New Life?

Bonded in acceptance, belonging, and supporting each other, Dee

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Monday Thoughts 3/22/2021

“I am woman phenomenally.  Phenomenal woman, that’s me.”  ~~Maya Angelou

“The work of today is the history of tomorrow, and we are its makers.”  ~~Juliette Gordon Low

“A woman is the full circle.  Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform.”  ~~Diane Mariechild


 #13 I am responsible for myself and for my actions.

I am in charge of my mind, my thoughts, and my life.


Sobriety and Statement #13 in action encourage continued growth in recovery.  From engaging in daily living to elaborately planned future moments, it is the culmination of being in charge of our minds, our thoughts and our lives that brings a sense of balance and rewarding fulfillment.  Before sobriety and New Life, none of this felt possible; alcohol had become a large and looming obstacle.

Women are strong, courageous and resilient.  Across history you can see how women have impacted this world with their knowledge, skills and talents; from Katherine G. Johnson, a mathematician who helped create the complex calculations that helped the US to fly into space in 1969 to Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman on the US Supreme Court, to Tegla Loroupe, the first African woman to win the NYC Marathon in 1994.  Women have proved time and time again that we can do anything.

Our founder, Jean Kirkpatrick, Ph.D. brought Women for Sobriety to life in response to her own difficult journey and continued to share her experience with the world.  It was a way for her to respond with her ability, and to this day, her energy and enthusiasm touches the heart of every woman embracing WFS.  Because Jean lived the Statements, today, we get to do the same.  What an absolutely phenomenal woman.  Just like you!

“We are capable and competent, caring and compassionate, always willing to help another, bonded together in overcoming our addictions” (WFS Motto).   We are 4C!

Hugzzz

Karen


Hi 4C Women,

While unexpected events impact many of us, especially during the pandemic, this powerful and empowering Statement is a reminder that how we respond to events, to people and situations is our responsibility.  I have experienced the saddest situation just days ago when my brother-in-law passed away months after having heart surgery.  The hardest part is being away from my family and not being able to attend the funeral.  My sister and brother-in-law were married for 61 years this month so there are a lot of memories that keep resurfacing that create both extreme sadness and joy at those shared experiences. Under normal circumstances, I would be there to help ease my sister’s pain as best I could.

Today, I am grateful for my sobriety, for the work I put into maintaining it and knowing I am in charge of my response.  I may not be able to travel yet I am available to listen, to be a shoulder to lean on and to know I, too, am not alone.  If I felt triggered, I know without a single doubt that I could share and seek help from my WFS sisters without shame or guilt.  I would be understood and supported.  That is part of this Statement – being in charge of my mind, my thoughts and my life, I am responsible for seeking help when I know I need it.  I have been blessed with loving, compassionate support from those who already know of his passing.  I am a firm believer in acknowledging and expressing our feelings rather than pretend everything is just fine when it isn’t.

In her booklet, Seed Thoughts for Loving Yourself, Suzanne Harrill expresses this so well: “I understand feelings are simply part of my inner guidance system.  They give me feedback on thoughts and reactions to my daily experiences and encounters with others.  I am learning to put words to what I’m feeling which helps me identify thoughts and beliefs behind the feelings.  Once I do this, I use my mind to evaluate these feelings to best decide what to do next.  Sometimes I simply allow myself to feel my feelings and sometimes I use them as motivators to help me make beneficial changes.  I acknowledge all my feelings.”

In acknowledging our feelings, we learn to be responsible, to create balance in our life as a process.  Mistakes become life lessons, success becomes part of our tool box in knowing we can and do make positive choices and survive when we don’t, that living authentically is sharing our joys and fears and knowing that courage is not the absence of fear but courage is fear walking.

Here are some great Statement #13 questions that Karen shared with us previously and I would like to present them once again.

What does responsibility feel like in your life?

Are you comfortable with being in charge of your life?  Why or why not?

Is there an area of your life where you can relinquish control?  (I have always felt this was one of the most challenging questions as I fought so hard to be in control of my recovery, my life.  Yet, in reflecting on this question, I realized that I crossed over into wanting to control others for their benefit – my form of sarcasm!)

My question – when is the last time you expressed your authentic feelings and what was the outcome?  What life lesson did you learn that you put into your tool box for future reference?

Bonded in acknowledging your feelings and taking responsibility for your responses and actions, Dee


In the News

Sharp, ‘Off The Charts’ Rise In Alcoholic Liver Disease Among Young Women

Read More on NPR.org

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Monday Thoughts 12/21/2020

“Responsibility is accepting that you are the cause and the solution of the matter.”  ~~Anonymous

“Responsibility to yourself means refusing to let others do your thinking, talking, and naming for you; it means learning to respect and use your own brains and instincts; hence, grappling with hard work.”  ~~Adrienne Rich

“A hero is someone who understands the responsibility that comes with his freedom.” ~~Bob Dylan


#13 I am responsible for myself and for my actions.

I am in charge of my mind, my thoughts, and my life.


In our WFS Program booklet it states “Sobriety is just the beginning.  The WFS New Life Program provides a portal for personal growth.  It shows us a new way of thinking.”  This Statement is not a one and done or something to be checked off a list; Statement #13 is designed to be used continuously throughout our New Life.  This is especially true for long term sobriety for it keeps us on the path of recovery.

In the past responsibility felt frightening since in my mind, responsible people made difficult decisions and were often reprimanded.  Through years of drinking, I felt incapable of making even the smallest of decisions and unhealthily depended on others.  This way of life shrunk my mind, my thoughts and my life.  Yet, Women for Sobriety helped me change all that.

Today I feel a sense of freedom in responsibility and no longer fear decision making since it’s how we all learn.  A favorite phrase defining responsibility is “I respond with my ability and that ability keeps evolving and growing.”  There is underlying joy and contentment in embracing my own mind, my thoughts and my life.

Hugzzz

Karen


Hi 4C Women,

Like Karen, I had no confidence in my decision-making abilities. Statement #13 had me shaking in my fear of believing all my decisions would be wrong, that my mistakes would just validate those beliefs that I was inadequate and incapable.  This fearful negative self-talk brought to mind a quote by Eleanor Roosevelt, “You gain strength, courage and confidence in every experience in which you stop and look fear in the face.”  Ok, sign me up!  Truthfully, no was my immediate response just as drinking was my immediate response when coping with my fear of change, being in charge of my mind, my thoughts and my life.

Over the years, I have been fortunate to learn from others who have walked this path before me.  While ours paths to recovery are very unique, individual and achieved in our own time frame, the life experience, insights and shared coping tools I received from other 4C women was such a gift in uncovering and discovering how I could become responsible for myself and my actions.

Here are some of the tools I used in taking charge of my life:

Positive self-talk which for me was accepting mistakes as life lessons and surviving the outcome with that knowledge.  I’d like to add thriving because I started to learn that I could be successful in my decision-making which boosted my positive self-talk.

Reframing the situation – avoiding all or nothing thinking which led me to change what is the “worst” that could happen to what is the “best” that could happen in my decision-making.

Redefine my definition of who I am.  This was a tremendous change as I had to let go of old messages from the past that no longer served me in the present.  In fact, most of those messages were given to me by people who had their own issues that were never worked through.

Self-care and being proactive in doing that.   As women, many of us place the needs of others before our own.  Sometimes that might be necessary depending on the situation.  In the big picture, it’s about balancing what needs to be done yet keeping yourself at the top of that list so you have the energy to do whatever else is necessary at that time.

Acknowledging my fears rather than drinking them away.  This was a huge challenge because it meant I had to not only face my fears but work through them.  It helped me to be aware that in facing my fears, I had to be aware of how I responded/reacted to them.

Seeking support.  Reaching out to people who understand, accept and have life-changing coping tools to share.  Having the input, insight and support of the WFS women I have been privileged to learn from and care about, was key in putting Statement #13 into action.

In reading over the changes above, which of these do you feel you are working on or need to work on?  Please consider sharing the coping tools that have helped you up to this point.  We all learn from each other.

I encourage you to remember that we are all heroines when we walk through the doors or attend a WFS virtual meeting for the first time, when we continue to attend as we learn to take responsibility for our lives and our actions, reaching out making that first phone call to ask for help, registering online seeking and receiving the much-needed support to guide us in putting Statement #13 into action.  It’s all about community, taking charge of our lives and the freedom working this Statement brings into our lives.

Bonded in sharing and learning new ways to practice Statement #13. Dee

Over the years, as the holidays approached, I have asked women in my local group to give a gift to themselves by answering the questions in this document, put them in a decorative bag or box and give it to themselves on Christmas Day or any day they wish to celebrate themselves.  After all, we give to others all year and this gives each woman an opportunity to think of what they will give themselves in the upcoming year (self-care) and what positive changes they have made throughout the current year and acknowledging any blessings they have received.  While it’s been a challenging year, I believe we’ve learned a lot about our abilities, our resilience and what gift we deserve to give to ourselves in the upcoming year.