Jeff Ford

So grateful for all it represents.

I love seeing the sun rise. It's incredible to recognize how far you can see as the light overcomes darkness. There is also something so refreshing to know that a new day is starting.

Addiction recovery is something that takes time and effort. There may be times when you will see progress as you are making good changes in your habits and in your life. That's a great thing but but the real, long-term change requires you to dig deep. Those roots are not always something you can see from the surface.

One thing that can be helpful for recovery is to get in a journal. Don't worry about holding back or editing. Practice saying how you really feel. It will give you clarity about the emotions you are having and what you really need to get better.

How are you using your phone? Do you often use to to just zone out and disconnect? Many people I've worked with have had to adjust how they use their phones to ensure it doesn't cause them to stay in the addiction cycle. Be aware of how your phone affects you and your loved ones, and make changes if you see it creating a wall between you and real relationships.

Connecting with others is key to breaking the addiction cycle and to continue making progress in recovery. Take some time every day to reach out and to connect with your spouse, a friend, or other loved ones. That time interacting is invaluable.

It's a new month. What are you planning to get done? Set new goals or restart old ones to help you stay focused and to accomplish all the things you want to do.

Keep moving forward no matter what. We all will face setbacks and challenges at different times. Don't let them stop you from getting where you want to be.

One of the most important parts of recovery is to take a step forward. Come out of hiding and start working on it. Talk to your spouse, a therapist, a group, or religious leaders, and start moving forward. It's not just something that happens without some effort; you have to work at it.