Happy New Year! My latest article “An Attitude of Gratitude” reminded me that I have all of you to thank for making my 2008 a sober one. I am not sure that it was my “best” or a year I feel I accomplished a great deal but I didn’t take a drink and I didn’t have a smoke. So I guess I could say, should say, it was pretty darn good!

No one knows what 2009 has in store for any of us. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring which is why we continue to focus on one day at a time. It’s a lot easier that way. I know I feel much more irritable around the holidays because there is always a “plan” and I have decided I absolutely hate plans. You know they say that when we make a plan, God laughs! Well, I know that doesn’t mean we should think ahead but we just need to be willing to change direction in a nanosecond.

I don’t believe in resolutions for a new year but I believe in goals. Honestly, it is the second day of the year and I have no clue what my goals are going to be. I do know that if I keep working the steps, go to meetings, be of service, and do whatever I can to improve my connection to my Higher Power, I will be able to see personal progress and I will be able to handle anything and everything God throws my way. This year I want to experience more of what the Promises of 12 step recovery offers. And, I know, that is up to me.

I do know that one of my goals is to continue to write this 12 Step Recovery article for BellaOnline and for any other website that has asked my permission. It isn’t the easiest thing to do on a weekly basis but it certainly helps me keep my side of the street clean. One of the reasons for writing a second time this week is to take the opportunity to thank a few people who have been instrumental in keeping me focused and who are also out there helping those in need. Please take a look at each of these websites and find what is in it for you; and, as we say in recovery, “pass it on”!

Thanks to: (and in no particular order)
Karen at www.webspawner.com who sends me a beautiful daily prayer and helps me begin each day on a peaceful note; Ann, www.12steprecovery.com who hosts this beautiful site that has anything an addict might be looking for; Michelle & Robert at www.billsfriends.com who make and market exquisite jewelry and recovery gifts; the folks at www.sobercircle.com who send me their newsletter each month. When I quit smoking I found www.quitnet.com and if you are even thinking about quitting, please get online and use this site. I could not have done it without them. To Tom for sending me www.gamblingaddiction.cc; Cheryl at http//recoverycoach.wordpress.com.

And to a few of what my friend Jody calls the “gifts and prizes of recovery”, a special thanks. First to you, Jody, for your beautiful, honest emails and your incredible Alanon program; to Tuchy Palmieri who gives me an opportunity to read and share with all of you; to my young friend, Nikki, in South Africa who is working on her eating disorders but that I have all of the faith in the world in; Lisa and Allyson from Red Wheel/Conari press and all of the other folks who have blessed me by sending me publications to review. And lastly, to all of you out there who I don’t hear from but know you are there. Thank you. So, until next week, namaste’. May you walk your journey in peace and harmony.