"We are no longer fighting fear, anger, guilt, self-pity or depression."

As addicts/alcoholics, many of us experience depression from time to time. When we feel depressed, we may be tempted to isolate ourselves. However, if we do this, our depression may turn to despair. We can't afford to let depression lead us back to using/drinking. Instead, we try to go about the routine of our lives. We make meeting attendance and contact with our sponsor top priorities. Sharing with others about our feelings may let us know we aren't the only ones who have been depressed in recovery. Working with a newcomer can work wonders for our own state of mind. And, most importantly, prayer and meditation can help us tap the power we need to survive depression.

We practice acceptance and remember that feelings like depression will unquestionably pass in time. Rather than struggle with our feelings, we accept them and ask for the strength to walk through them.

*Just for today: I accept that my feelings of depression won't last forever. I will talk openly about my feelings with my sponsor or another person who understands.*

(Taken from 'Just for Today: Revised'; dated 12/28, pg. 378. I thought I'd share what I read today with you all, in hopes of being helpful to someone.)

Current Mood: mellow

renaissance2010
Turning to photography as a creative outlet during a valiant fight with breast cancer at age 34, renaissance10 survived and set up a photo contest to help raise funds for the Lavender Trust, a nonprofit that provides information and support to younger women with breast cancer. In the first two years, the competition brought in over £65,000 (that's $107,260.73 U.S.!), with entries from 130 countries last year. Renaissance10 recently joined LiveJournal to meet other passionate photographers and find supportive friends.

Tags: cancer, renaissance2010

curiouscupcakes
Holy buttercream frosting! If you have a sweet tooth for sugary goodness or a wandering eye for whimsical confection, this is pure ecstasy iced in deliciousness. Hailing the beloved cupcake as the artisinal canvas of choice, you'll enjoy recipes, photos, and bountiful tips to bake up a batch, whether your taste leans toward French classics or funky and flavorful.

Tags: cupcakes, curiouscupcakes, desserts

mission101
With New Years in the offing, it's an ideal time to reflect on past accomplishments, make peace with disappointments, and refocus the lens on future goals. This community welcomes you to create a bucket list of 101 things you plan to accomplish in the next 1,001 days. Offering support, guidance, and inspiration, this is a great way to jumpstart those pesky resolutions.

Tags: bucket list, mission101

 Hi I've decided that I don't want to drink any alcohol what so ever anymore.  I usually drink a small amount on weekends, like a glass of wine or two and not even every weekend.  This weekend I went a little overboard and had a little too much fun.  I probably go a little "overboard" only a handful of times out of the year, every time this happens I say "I'm never drinking again" but it somehow always happens again.  When I have a hangover I get incredibly pissed off at myself.  I spent my entire day off yesterday at home vomiting and feeling like death.  It was so depressing, I thought of all the nice things I could have been doing if I wasn't hung over.  I could have gone for a bike ride, walked along the beach, gone shopping, cleaned house.... but no I wasted an entire day being sick from drinking too much the night before.  I want to enjoy my days off and be more active and productive, so I'm taking a radical approach and will abstain from alcohol altogether.  It's not going to be easy, especially when others want to drink around me.  I just don't have a tolerance anymore, I can even feel sluggish after a glass of wine the next day.  It's just not worth it anymore.  Thanks for listening.  It helps to hear about the experiences others have gone through.  

Hi hi! I'm new here and I'm an addict/alcoholic.

I've been sober for 43 days now and have been going to A.A./N.A. meetings for about the same amount of time.
Before then, I was a heavy drinker and did my fair share of drugs (that I don't care to list--I'm not here to compare drugs of choice or talk about when/where/how I picked up my shit). It was all a way of pretending to be happy in the eyes of others while being miserable on the inside.

At any rate, I've been looking all over for an online community for support and a place to talk to others in the same boat as me; a place where I can learn from others and possibly help others learn as well. I hope everyone had a great X-mas!

Current Mood: calm

Anyone relapse this Christmas? :(

anyone else feeling a little bit down this holiday season?

Current Mood: blah

i_hope_that
For many of us, the holidays can be kind of rough. If you're searching for a network of understanding friends, this ultra-nurturing community encourages you to express your heartfelt wishes and offer other members encouragement and acceptance. Not for the terminally snarky or emotionally-challenged, this is a good-spirited place to lend comfort and support.

Tags: i_hope_that, support, wishes

diygifts
Feeling crafty? If you've got a few last folks on your holiday gift list, this is a great place to seed your creativity and generosity. You'll also discover wonderful DIY tips to decorate your home and entertain guests. Offering a no-frills-no-skills attitude that welcomes the cash-challenged and arts-phobic, you're sure to get ideas and make friends in the process.

Tags: crafts, diygifts, do it yourself