Acknowledgement

I acknowledge that there are things that I do that are not in my best interest. I forgive myself for doing the things I have done that are not in my best interest.

I acknowledge that, most of the time, I have no conscious awareness of the things I do that are not in my best interest. I forgive myself for being unaware of the things that I do that are not in my own best interest.

I acknowledge that when I have been consciously aware that my actions were not in my best interest, I chose, in response to the fear I experienced, to continue the course of action. I forgive my self for choosing in response to fear.

I acknowledge that I have been an active, although unconscious, participation is the creation of pain and discomfort in my life and the lives of others. I forgive myself for unconscious participation in the creation of pain and discomfort in my life and the life of others.

I acknowledge that there are occassions on which I have been an active conscious participant in the creation of pain and discomfort in my life and the lives of others. I forgive myself for conscious participation in the creation of pain and discomfort in my life and the life of others.

I acknowledge that I have made conscious choices and decisions, being aware that the choices or decisions were not in my best interest, but in pursuit of monetary gain or reward. I forgive myself for placing the value of money before my best interest.

I acknowledge that when I experience fear, I do not tell the truth. I forgive myself for not telling the truth under all circumstances.

I acknowledge that I allowed myself to believe things about myself that are not true. I forgive myself for believing things that were not true about myself.

I acknowledge that I have been angry with myself for not being able to change my behavior. I forgive myself for being angry with myself.

I acknowledge that I have been angry with others and held them responsible for my own inability to change myself. I forgive myself for being angry with others. I forgive myself for being angry with others for my actions and my life.

I acknowledge that I am a child of God. I acknowledge that I am valuable, worthy and loveable. I acknowledge that God is the source and center of my life. I acknowledge that only God can chance the false beliefs I have held about myself. I acknowledge that my acknowledgment of God can and will heal the wounds I have eperienced as a result of false beliefs, fear based choices and decisions, and ignorance of God's sovereignty in my life. I forgive myself totally and unconditionally. I know ask the Holy Spirit of God to heal my wounds, to eliminate all false beliefs I have held, and to open my heart to true unconditional love.

For all that I have recieved and all that is to come, I am so grateful.

Taken from "Yesterday, I Cried" by Iyanla Vanzant

This part of the book said a lot to me. I had struggled with coming to that place where I could love myself. What I dicovered was that I was still kicking myself in the ass for things that I had done when I was using. I forgot to forgive myself. Once I was able to do that, I was able to love myself. I was able to see that I was another child of my Higher Power, no better or no worse than any other. If I could forgive others than I could surely forgive myself. That is the point where I discovered that love has to start with me and my relationship with my Higher Power and than it can grow and spread to others. Once I could accept myself for who I was and admit that I was good just because God made me, than I was able to accept the love others were giving to me. It was a huge turning point in my life. Thanks to the grace of a Higher Power and the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous I have learned to do these things and to accept and give forgivenes and love. The result is a life that has purpose and meaning and is worth living to the fullest everyday.