CLARIFICATION OF THOUGHT
“It doesn’t ever do anyone any good to call someone a saddict –they usually will come into our group because they feel that their lives are out of control and they are in need of some sort of help. Most who come will be seeking some sort of immediate relief from their pain and that is surely understandable. They usually won’t be back as they find that there will be work involved in getting out of the prison of depression. Only those who repeat their visits to the meetings, week after week, are the ones who show marked signs of improvement as they gradually learn to use new tools of recovery that they learn about from other members of the group.
One of the better ways to gain hope is to listen to the stories of those people who are working the Twelve Step program and getting better. These real life stories are the best antidote to despair because I learn that I am not alone, and that I can make it like those others who are working the Steps.
MEDITATION
God, help us know how to respond to your love and let us know how to love ourselves today.”
SOURCES: Copyright(c) Higher thoughts for down days: 365 daily thoughts and meditations for members of 12 Step fellowship groups. Depressed Anonymous Publications. Louisville. December 30. Page 258.
Copyright(c) Depressed Anonymous, 3rd edition. (2011) Depressed Anonymous Publications. Louisville. See Personal Stories of Depressed Anonymous members on pages 110-152.