Another Day 1, and that's ok. I'm here, praying for willingness to plan, prepare and participate fully in recovery. My worst abstinent day is thousands times better than my best day in active addiction.

You're so right about tat. it is better to stay abstinent than it is to get abstinent.

I am sending this message out to the universe because "Day 1 again" has been my song for the past several months. I am having trouble every other day at 4:00 p.m. It starts with my eating a banana which I know is not on our food plan. This leads to a handful of mixed nuts and in time leads to my spoon in the peanut butter jar. It happened again today and I again swore it's never going to happen again. But it does. Does anybody with experience with this type of behavior have any suggestions for me?

September 24, 2014/ Gail P.

Hi Gail,
Thanks for reaching out. My own experience with 0-1 was long and painful but it was finally arrested and I have been abstinent for just over 5 years now. 5 years without SWF was unimaginable for me before that. I couldn't go more than a couple of weeks trying my very hardest.
Where do you live? The RFA Convention is this weekend in Houston if that is near to you.
This little tidbit resurfaced recently. Maybe it will be helpful. Please feel free to call or email me:
Kasey 678-923-9452 kkollatl@yahoo.com

TO BE ABSTINENT IS ABOUT WILLINGNESS, NOT STRUGGLE
"If you are willing to be abstinent, this is a state of great humility.
If you are trying to be abstinent, this is a state of great confusion.
A willingness to be abstinent implies that you do not know how to do it,
but are willing to learn. Trying to be abstinent implies that you should be
able to do it, but are struggling with it.
If you are willing to be abstinent, you are open to receive. If you are trying
to be abstinent, you are closed to guidance.

If you have been trying to give up old ways and have condemned yourself
for failure to do so, simply be willing to learn how the old ways may be
replaced with ways of peace.
If you are trying to be abstinent, you will fear not being able to be abstinent.
You will judge yourself a failure. If you are willing to be abstinent, no
setback is a problem, for you know that you will be shown.

If you are trying, you are attempting to surrender by yourself. If you are
willing, you are asking for guidance.
Trying to be abstinent places responsibility on you.
Being willing to be abstinent places the responsibility on God.
Willingness to be abstinent is, in a sense, a prayer.
Trying to be abstinent is an act of separation from God
When you try, there is resistance. When you are willing, there is
acceptance.
If you are trying to be abstinent, everything is interference. If you are
willing to be abstinent, everything is of assistance.
The freely made choice to be abstinent is the most important decision you
make each day because it speaks for your willingness to be abstinent each day.
Outside of the will of God, there is no such thing as success. Inside the
will of God, there cannot be any failure."

Today I am completing Day 11 of absolute abstinence. I am so grateful. Reaching out to this web site plus packing my lunch beforehand so that I will have it on hand at noontime rather than waiting until after 2:00 pm to prepare and eat have been two actions I've taken to assist in attaining this new abstinence. Internally my mantra has become " I am willing to be abstinent" .