ACCEPTANCE.    Firs t and mandatory. Requires Honesty and Openness. We have to get out of any denial and move into acceptance, doing that with humility. This includes not only whatever we abused and its ramifications, but everything else around us. The actions, information, knowledge and feelings that will sort of swirl around us. Things that apply to both us, and those near us. The almost sad part, is that this phase happens early, when our brain, body and soul is still the most contaminated by our substance. We have a new world of stuff to digest, and our digestor is broken. We will, of course, have to accept as much as we can- and at least stay open to accepting more in the near future. At least we need to not shut the door on any good possibilities. It has been said that just recognizing the situation exists, gets us most of the distance to healing. Here we also realize that the thing is actually good for us. (we could, however, be accepting the fact that some things are bad for us)

(ie: we agree the morning read is a good idea)

APPLICATION. Requires Willingness and Awareness. All that knowledge won’t do us any good, if we don’t figure out a way to use it. Maybe it’s like muscle and exercise- if we don’t use it, we loose it. Usually this will start with small things that we slip into our regular pattern. All this phase needs is for us to try it once (or so) and see it works.  A new thing to do or addition to our thought process. A way to deal with an emotion. A place or event to go to. Our environment needs to be supportive of this practice phase, maybe even giving positive input. We will get some sort of good feeling when we make this work, and we like it. We may have to look closely to figure out how to use that knowledge.

(ie: reflecting back on todays morning read actually helps during our day)

ASSIMILATION. Requires Repeated Action. Star Trek fans know this word. It is brought in and made a natural part of life. Just a bit beyond habit, it is more of an assumed pattern than an actual action. It requires no effort, but is just there. Rarely would this happen without repeating the thing many times, until it becomes a way of life, but we’ve all assimilated stuff quickly. How about our choice in gasoline grades? Many things do get here quickly, usually when part of something larger.  If we are working our program, naturally we go to meetings. But, once we are not working it, and are just in life- do we still go? If we do, it has become natural- a way of life, not work.

(ie: we skip the morning read for a day, and later actually miss it)

ALWAYS. Make an AGREEMENT with yourself that once you finally get here, you will continue on- -at least until you find a truly better way. (thru new acceptance, application and assimilation) Growth is good.  In short programs, we have many things not quite in this phase- we need to play them forward. If later we see we dropped a good habit, we can start again. Great habits don’t get forgotten, they die of non-use. There’s a great habit; get in the habit of regularly exercising your good habits.          

 (ie: we place morning read books strategically around our home)