Recovery Connections Network

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

“Don’t ever doubt yourselves or waste a second of your life. It’s too short, and you’re too special.” ~~Ariana Grande

“The one way to get me to work my hardest was to doubt me.” ~~Michelle Obama

“An exciting and inspiring future awaits you beyond the noise in your mind, beyond the guilt, doubt, fear shame, insecurity and heaviness of the past you carry around.” ~~Debbie Ford

Statement #12:

I am a competent woman, and I have much to give life.

This is what I am, and I shall know it always.

Doubt can be a natural by-product of uncertainty, which can either serve us well by keeping us safe from something we don’t fully understand or it can be a crippling sensation which severs us from completely living. Doubt can also be quite obvious, such as the panicked hesitation before bungee jumping or it can be shrouded in secrecy, much like when trying to make the decision to embrace sobriety and recovery.

Statement #12 is encouraging and empowers us to invalidate doubt. It needs direct action and requires us to override some of our most intense feelings. Jean states in the WFS Program booklet, “First the thought, then the reality.” With Statement #12, we can think it, believe it, reach it. It is important to remember that this is a process, and it can be rare to reach goals with a single attempt. In between belief and actualization is learning; what doesn’t work, what does and what falls in the middle.

The WFS Online Forum or face to face meetings can assist with learning. In these connecting and close- knit communities are women who understand and believe. Every day, cheering each other on with encouragement and experience, victories of every size and scale are achieved. We are capable, and competent, caring and compassionate, bonded together!

Hugzzz

Karen

Hi 4C Women,

We all need encouragement, especially during the hectic holidays. This may sound odd but today my pastor talked about a study on Neuroplasticity: brain healing and changing itself. One remark really stood out to me as it reminded me of the personal and emotional growth that takes place when practicing the WFS program: "Positive mental experiences such as happiness, compassion and accomplishment can actually change your brain structure." I thought about Statement 3: Happiness is a habit I am developing; our WFS moto that we are capable and competent, caring and compassionate; and Statement 1: I have a life-threatening problem that once had me all pointing to our accomplishment of gaining sobriety. When I reflect on all the emotional and spiritual growth I have achieved through the use of the WFS program, I related to this study of how our thinking and life experiences can actually have a profound, lasting change on how we react and respond in our sober lives.

Each year, I have our group answer 3 questions and give their answers as a wrapped gift to themselves. Perhaps you would consider doing this yourself.

1. Self-Care Plan(s) for 2019

2. Blessing(s) received this year

3. Acknowledgment of positive change(s) made this year

Just as we cherish encouragement from others, it is important to be our own encouragers.

As we learn, gain insight, realize our competency, express it and share it, having it in writing is a reminder and a gift to ourselves. Be proud, be bold and acknowledge all that you have accomplished, what your plans are to increase your self-care and what you are grateful for as you reflect on this past year.

Bonded in acknowledging our competency and knowing it always, 4C WFS Member