How To Stay Clean
Honesty
H.O.W. or, How to stay clean is what I’m writing about today. I heard it the first time in rehab. On our moral inventories every night there was a question asking if “You were Honest, Open minded & Willing, In my interactions with others throughout the day.” And the residents would say, “yes. I was H.O.W. today”. And so I’d laugh because I didn’t know what the abbreviations meant. Honesty, Open-mindedness and Willingness are 3 very important things in recovery.
By being honest with myself, my higher power, my sponsor and others, it’s a principle to my recovery. Being honest has never got me in trouble in my recovery or with others. The truth might result in hurting their feelings but it’s better than lying, because of the insanity of lies that you have to continue to keep up with that one lie. If I’m not honest with myself how am I going to grow or be honest with anyone else. This is the first time I’m honest in my step work and completely honest with others. It feels great.
Open Minded
There was a time in my recovery I wasn’t open-minded. I had a closed mind and waned to do things my way! My way never works out and I always went back out doing things my way. I didn’t listen and take suggestions. Now I listen and keep an open mind on what people have to say.
Willingness
Today I’m willing to do the work. When my sponsor suggests something I do it. I want what she has and I’m willing to do anything to stay clean and have a strong recovery. I’m willing to be uncomfortable by being uncomfortable in doing things I’m not comfortable with had helped me grow as a person and in my recovery. Today I’m willing to do what the program suggests. Its a simple program I just make things complicated. I shut up and listened, and did what was suggested. Now actually working and living the program.
My life is good today and one day at a time i will be honest opened and willing to do whatever out takes to stay clean .Trust your struggle. The best is yet to come! I am an addict. I have 65 days clean
A grateful recovering addict Nikki