Vigilance
“We keep what we have only with vigilance…”
Basic Text, p. 57
How do we remain vigilant about our recovery? First, by realizing that we have a
disease we will always have. No matter how long we’ve been clean, no matter how
much better our lives have become, no matter what the extent of our spiritual
healing, we are still addicts. Our disease waits patiently, ready to spring the trap if
we give it the opportunity.
Vigilance is a daily accomplishment. We strive to be constantly alert and ready to
deal with signs of trouble. Not that we should live in irrational fear that something
horrible will possess us if we drop our guard for an instant; we just take normal
precautions. Daily prayer, regular meeting attendance, and choosing not to
compromise spiritual principles for the easier way are acts of vigilance. We take
inventory as necessary, share with others whenever we are asked, and carefully
nurture our recovery. Above all, we stay aware!
We have a daily reprieve from our addiction as long as we remain vigilant. Each day,
we carry the principles of recovery into all we do, and each night, we thank our
Higher Power for another day clean.
Just for today: I will be vigilant, doing everything necessary to guard my recovery.