Life was never meant to be a struggle...

"Life was never meant to be a struggle, just a gentle progression from one point to another, much like walking through a valley on a sunny day." Stuart Wilde

Step 1

We affirm we have the power to take charge of our lives and stop being dependent on substances or other people for our self-esteem and security.
Alternative : We admit/acknowledge we are out of control with/powerless over ________ yet have the power to take charge of our lives and stop being dependent on substances or other people for our self-esteem and security.

Step 2

We come to believe that God/Goddess/Universe/Great Spirit/Higher Power awakens the healing wisdom within us when we open ourselves to the power.

Step 3

We make a decision to become our authentic selves and trust in the
healing power of the truth.

Step 4

We examine our beliefs, addictions and dependent behavior in the context of living in a hierarchical, patriarchal culture.

Step 5

We share with another person and the Universe all those things inside of
us for which we feel shame and guilt.

Affirmations:
When we accept the fact that the only constant is change, we're no longer willing to do damage to ourselves and others by refusing to accept it. Welcoming change is welcoming life. L. Hayes

Change is the manifestation of our ability to grow and to become who we can be. L. Hayes

It is safe for me to look within. Each time I look deeper into myself, I will find incredible beautiful treasures within me. L. Hayes

Step 6

We affirm and enjoy our intelligence, strengths and creativity, remembering not to hide these qualities from ourselves and others.

Step 7

We become willing to let go of shame, guilt, and any behavior that keeps us from loving ourselves and others.

Over the years I have found it difficult to forgive those who have caused me pain and hurt; especially those who did so during my childhood. It is so much easier to play the blame game knowing that someone else is to blame for what is wrong with your life.

I recently read Edwene Gaines book The Four Spiritual Laws of Prosperity and came to the realization that holding onto negative thoughts or feelings prohibits me from being physically and mentally healthy. Edwene states in her book that “An unwillingness to forgive is like stabbing ourselves with a knife and expecting the person who did us wrong to feel the pain. Forgiveness is not something we do for the sake of another person. Forgiveness is something we do for ourselves.” Upon reading this I decided that in order for me to let go of the guilt, shame, sadness I have been harboring for years I need to learn to forgive so that I may move on with my life. With Edwene’s help I am going to make a conscious effort to learn how to forgive. I am going to begin by completing Edwene’s journaling exercise. I encourage you to do this as well and report back on how this has aided you or inspired you to move forward in your forgiveness journey.

I am through feeling guilty about:

____________________________________________________

I am over feeling sorry for myself about:

____________________________________________________

I am not longer going to blame ___________________________

I am finished with all sadness about:

____________________________________________________

I forgive my parents for:

____________________________________________________

I release all suffering about:

____________________________________________________

Above all, I forgive myself once and for all for:

___________________________________________________

Step 8

We make a list of people we have harmed and people who have harmed us, and take steps to clear out negative energy by making amends and sharing our grievances in a respectful way.

Step 9

We express love and gratitude to others and increasingly appreciate the wonder of life and the blessings we do have.

Step 10

We learn to trust our reality and daily affirm that we see what we see, we know what we know and we feel what we feel.

Step 11

We promptly admit to mistakes and make amends when appropriate, but we do not say we are sorry for things we have not done and we do not cover up, analyze, or take responsibility for the shortcomings of others.

Step 12

We seek out situations, jobs, and people who affirm our intelligence, perceptions and self-worth and avoid situations or people who are hurtful, harmful, or demeaning to us.

Step 13

We take steps to heal our physical bodies, organize our lives, reduce stress, and have fun.

Step 14

We seek to find our inward calling, and develop the will and wisdom to follow it.

Step 15

We accept the ups and downs of life as natural events that can be used as lessons for our growth.

Step 16

We grow in awareness that we are sacred beings, interrelated with all livings things, and we contribute to restoring peace and balance on the planet.