When your life has been impacted by addiction, it’s easy to beat yourself up and feel excessive shame. But that kind of behavior will never drive you to commit to the life-long process of beating your addiction. Instead, you need to master the art of personal acceptance. Our generous Recovered Podcast Community allows us to be self supporting and not rely on outside contributions.  If you would like to join us, there are three ways. Episode Sponsorship  We will recognize you by first name only at the top, mid, and end of the episode.  Any amount will qualify. Premium Membership  This is the single most effective way to support the show.  Watch the video in its entirety and learn how to become Premium Sustaining Partners  We have three ways in which you can participate in this 12-step mission We invite you to be a partner is this work. Call Us Now  http://recoveredcast.com/speakpipe email mark@recoveredcast.com So, listeners, join us at The 2020 International Convention of AA in Detroit. If you are coming into town for the convention, the Recovered Podcast wants to meet you! If you would like to get all the information regarding the Recovered Podcast at the 2020 International Convention, just email me and we will get you on our google group. Just email me at mark@recoveredcast.com To get on our 2020 International Convention Google group This google group will be notified with all the Recovered Podcast Plans for the convention and will have all the information about how to find our tailgate party.  Right now, our google group has been provided with maps and general information about Detroit. Email me at mark@recoveredcast.com if you want these kinds of updates. ________________________________________________________ Now, back to the show… Tonight, the topic is  Acceptance By accepting who you are, the nature of your alcoholism, and the ways in which you can beat it, you are giving yourself the power and confidence to defeat the stranglehold of addiction. Acceptance gives you the strength to pry back the choking fingers of alcoholism away from your throat and give your lungs access to the glorious and life-giving air of sobriety. I did an open talk for Anne-Marie’s home group a couple of Fridays ago and they gave this A coffee cup with the Acceptance cup Guess they knew something.. Going to you first, ????,  What are your first thoughts on this topic? What does acceptance mean to you? Here is what my coffee mug says... Page 417 of the big book: Acceptance  "And acceptance is the answer to all my problems today.  When I am disturbed,  It is because I find some person, place, thing, situation --  Some fact of my life -- unacceptable to me,  And I can find no serenity until I accept  That person, place, thing, or situation  As being exactly the way it is supposed to be at this moment.  Nothing, absolutely nothing happens in God's world by mistake.  Until I could accept my alcoholism, I could not stay sober;  Unless I accept life completely on life's terms,  I cannot be happy.  I need to concentrate not so much  On what needs to be changed in the world  As on what needs to be changed in me and in my attitudes."  When did you first read the Acceptance statement? What was your reaction to it? When you were new,  what kinds of loss and disappointments were you experiencing? How did the spiritual tool of Acceptance help? In early sobriety, did you try to force certain outcomes were there some consequences you were trying to avoid? Did you get the outcome you desired? In early sobriety, did you struggle against reality?   How does acceptance and reality relate? What is the serenity prayer? How does the acceptance statement and the serenity prayer relate? What is your experience with the prayer? ______________________________________________________ We asked our listeners about this topic. Now, listeners, If you would like to participate in these weekly surveys, just email me for an invite request.  Email me at mark@recoveredcast.com An