-Nelson Mandela

The best way to achieve a long-term goal is to set up small goals along the way that I can achieve and remind myself that I am working towards something bigger and better. When we achieve our goals, I can have a sense of accomplishment. I can enjoy the journey along the way. If the goal is to be sober for the rest of my life, I might be tempted to get down, because I haven’t experienced the rest of my life yet. But I can be sober for today, and feel good that I am working a program of recovery. Never give up on the dream, but do stop to feel good about the progress you are making along the way to achieve that dream. Today, I won’t give up on my dream. I will break down the big dream into manageable segments, so I can feel good about the progress I am making. Giving up makes the dream disappear or seem too far away to be possible. Today, I won’t give into urges, cravings and temptations. I will celebrate the milestones along the way not by rewarding myself with substance use, but will use my achievements as fuel to keep going..