-Author-
The Veronica Slack
RecoveryJournal Foundation
100% net proceeds from the sale of the recovery journal 31-days of Volume l and Volume I long-term are contributed to community outreach and beyond.
Mission Statement
The Veronica Slack Recovery Journal Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides educational recovery journals to correctional institutions, addiction & mental health resources, alternative recovery resources, start-up recovery houses, and to private individuals.
The Recovery Journals Book Series is a educational recovery-based support system. They are long-term and inspirational. Every page teaches managing skills as well as promotes self-esteem and better thinking for anyone struggling with life issues. This occurs through their personal participation with the recovery journals. We are dedicated to the mission of providing the recovery journals to people who are hurting, hard-headed, or too busy mentally or physically.
Vision Statement
It is our vision over the next five years to expand the distribution of our educational recovery journals nation-wide, as well as overseas. This outreach effort is for individuals, both private and in institutions who are hurting, hard-headed, or to busy mentally or physically. We will reinforce this vision by live broadcasts of our RecoveryJournals mobile distribution outreach. RecoveryJournals will document the educational and informative recovery-life as we distribute recovery journals hand-to-hand across America and abroad.
Please donate today and keep the book distribution support moving forward.
**You do not have to have Paypal to donate**
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Start with Volume I
or the 31-Day Recovery Journal
For Institutions
This series of recovery books are exclusively designed to support everyday people, clients, facilities, and institutions with a common interest or goal of continuous recovery from any issue. Designed as a daily aid to interject a 2-minute window of various thoughts in a meditative activity that creatively guides a person to better thinking.
Facilities & Institutions
100% net proceeds from the sale of the recovery journal
31-days of Volume l are contributed to community outreach and beyond.
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The Veronica Slack Recovery Journal Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides recovery journals to institutions, alternative recovery resources, and start-up recovery houses.
We are scheduling Recovery Journals Training Sessions for Recovery Houses, Correctional /MAT/Mental Health facilities who want to provide for longterm on-site care with
Recovery Journals and RecoveryJournals12-Steps meetings.
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RecoveryJournals12-Steps
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We admitted that we were powerless over having problems; that our lives had become unmanageable.
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We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
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We made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
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We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
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We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
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We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
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We humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
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We made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
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We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
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We continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
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We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
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Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to any person who is struggling and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
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RJM How to Relate Statement:
We connect with others by laying down our attitudes and making the effort to find a word or phrase that a person is expressing, that matches or makes us think, of something that we have been through or identify with. Then we consider sharing that experience with others in the meeting. Ex. I can relate to Joe's struggle because I have struggled in my own life with... We talk about ourselves. We do not talk directly to or give any person advice after they have shared.
RecoveryJournals.org
12-Step Meeting Format
30-45-60 minutes
**Adjust as needed**
The 12-step meeting should not have staff members in it or chairing. The people/clients/patients/inmates, recognized as trusted members, should alternate chairing/conducting the meeting.
RecoveryJournalsMeditation 12-Step meeting Format
1. Open with the We version of the Serenity Prayer. (Can be Excluded)
God, grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change,
Courage to change the things we can,
And wisdom to know the difference.
1. -Welcome to the __(name of your group)_____________ group, we are people in recovery who support each other. This is an open meeting. We are glad you are all here – especially newcomers. In keeping with our singleness of purpose states that “The only requirement for membership is a desire to recover,” we ask that all who participate direct their discussion to their problems with life and/or the solutions that they find.
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2.-Welcome any newcomers. Ask them to identify themselves by first name only. Urge them to remain after the meeting to talk to group members. Ask if there are any out of towners or those members at this meeting for the first time?
3. Read RecoveryJournals12-steps, How to Relate statement: & RJ meditation.
After the readings, the meeting chairperson can also provide a topic for discussion centered around our recovery from having problems. Open the floor for 5-minute timed sharing. (Have on hand a medley of recovery literature, books.) Read supportive 12-steps or read any recovery literature published if needed between sharing or for low meeting attendance.
**Restate if/when needed during the meeting. Please do not directly talk to or give advice to someone after they share, you can relate to them or talk about yourself.
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4.-Last ten minutes if applicable-The 7th Tradition states: “Every group ought to be fully self-supporting declining outside contributions.” (This is used to pay for beverages/rent/etc. )
5.-This time is for recovery related announcements -Remind people to talk or hang out for a few minutes after the meeting.
6.-Thank everyone for coming and Invite members (who wish) to join in closing the meeting with Serenity Prayer.
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God, grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change,
Courage to change the things we can,
And wisdom to know the difference.
We are scheduling specialized & adapted Recovery Journals12step meetings Training Sessions
*The trainees are the people/clients/patients in longterm care who will conduct the 12step meetings.
I didn’t ask to think this way,
I just do...
The participating recovery book series.
By Veronica Slack
The participating book series is designed to encompass all genders, all races, all cultures, and all beliefs, by way of the reader participating or co-writing half of the book, unique to their own views.
Veronica Slack is an advocate for recovery processes and solutions
Institution Personnel, August 2018
Updated August 2019
Good day, I hope this letter finds you well. My name is Veronica Slack and I am the author of a recovery book series titled, “I didn’t ask to think this way, I just do…” The series provides creative long-term recovery support for any person with any issue. I would like you to consider adding these recovery journals to your facility services. This series invites you to co-write daily meditations that promote better thinking, in journal form. The end result is that each person creates a one-of-a-kind book of their own story. This participating book series is designed to encompass all economic classes, all genders, all cultures, all races, and all beliefs. This occurs by the reader participating in a class or co-writing half of the book unique to their own views.
Currently, I provide the Silverdale Detention Center and the Volunteer Comprehensive Treatment Center with free recovery journals. 100% of net proceeds from the sale of 31 days of Volume l continues the outreach in our community and beyond. The individual response to using the recovery journals is very high and I continue to gather statistics. The recovery journals are proven effective for any person coping with any issue.
Adding the recovery journals to your facility services is innovative and it supports a person in unison with any treatment or program already in place, or the series can be used as a stand-alone supportive recovery system. The recovery journals are self-explanatory and user-friendly, just open and begin daily support. The book series is an empowering personal accomplishment to clients or to any person. I suggest starting with the long-term Recovery Journal Volume I or the short-term version 31-days of Volume l.
I am a recovering person and this endeavor has evolved over the last 28 years from hands-on recovery experience, as well as from post-secondary education. In 2012 Chattanooga State Community College presented me with the Excellence Award from the Social and Behavior Science Department. In 2003, I developed and hosted a televised 12 step recovery program for all people struggling in life. The program aired for 3 years via the public access channel in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Over the last 19 years, I have written and designed this recovery series that supports any person daily who is coping with any issue by encouraging participation and change until each book is completed then continues on to the next Volume.
Today I am an advocate for any person recovering from any issue that limits their life and will continue my interaction with institutions and private recovery groups. I also facilitate a weekly Recovery Journal class at the Volunteer Comprehensive Treatment Center. The class creates recovery boards that are posted on our website and social media in efforts to reach outside of our community. Our website also offers forums that allow a person to view short recovery journal classes, as well as to post thoughts, inspirational pictures, or art.
Thank you for your time, I know you care for your clients’ wellbeing. Please consider adding Recovery Journal Volume l to your facility services and/or placing our brochure display in your lobby. I do not think you will be disappointed in this venture. Contact: www.recoveryjournals.org 423-355-6471 veronicaslack@recoveryjournals.org
Best regards, Veronica Slack
“Recovery from the multitude of societal issues will always be an ongoing process that isn’t the responsibility of any -one city, or -one town, or -one person, societal issues are all of our responsibility to take on. This book series comes from within this society and is a small part of a larger solution, that is needed.” -Veronica Slack
COMMENTS: On The Book Series and the Recovery Journals
“The Recovery Journals and The Recovery Journal Groups have been wonderful resources for our patients and staff. The journals are excellent tools for self-reflection, motivation, encouragement, etc. The journals are user-friendly and would be helpful to anyone in any phase of recovery. “
-Yohunnah Woods-Moton, MA, LPC-MHSP Clinical Supervisor Volunteer Comprehensive Treatment Center, Chattanooga, Tennessee
“Ms. Slack made a special trip as an alumna of Eagleville Hospital to share her story of hope and recovery with us. Her desire to share this with others to encourage this process in those who are also tired and suffering is demonstrated through the creation of her participating book series. These books and journals are designed to turn the reader into the writer of their own recovery story. The books show that one is never alone in their journey of recovery and that recovery IS possible. We are so grateful that she chose to share her story and her life’s work with the staff and patients of Eagleville Hospital!” -Lara Haagen, MA, ATR-BC, LPC, CCTP Clinical Coordinator of Adjunctive Therapy, Eagleville Hospital, Eagleville, Pennsylvania
“As a psychotherapist, working with many clients who are hurting, hard-headed, and too busy, I was thrilled to read (and co-author) I Didn't Ask to Think This Way, I Just Do! Rather than telling readers how to think and feel, this book elicits the readers' own insights. I recommend it to anyone! It is especially helpful for those wishing to journal, but not knowing how to get started. Thanks, Veronica Slack, for this work.” -Becca Davis, LPC, CSAT Psychotherapist, Chattanooga, Tennessee
"This participating book series embodies a novel approach to creating a therapeutic positive self-awareness through the venue of writing half the book you are reading! The author uses a variety of philosophical questions, ideas, thoughts, comments, and confessions within a loosely structured framework that demands emotional participation from the reader. If a person is hurting, hard-headed, or too busy, I recommend this book series, as a form of support." -Dan Twilley DC, Chiropractic Physician and writer since 1980, Chattanooga, Tennessee)
"Veronica's book series embodies the way of transformation available to those of us who often are overwhelmed by what seems impossible. The systematic, daily actions she clearly presents in “I didn’t ask to think this way, I just do…” are the hand-holds which guide us out of chaos into order, internally than externally." Chaplain Marilyn Sizer., M.Div. Signal Mountain, Tennessee
“I was totally impressed with the simplicity and ease of journaling that Volume 1 of Veronica's book series, “I didn’t ask to think this way, I just do…” provides. As it says, for the ones who are too busy or too hard-headed -this has often been me. The recovery journals relate a reminder to take the time to look at life in a positive manner through your own eyes and hands. To sum it up in short, co-writing put me much closer to God and His nature to supply what I need in any circumstance. If Only I WILL LOOK!” -Lance Thompson, Hixson, Tennessee
"I love this book, I run to it to journal when I am upset about an issue, even though I haven’t been in class for a couple of weeks, I still wrote in my book. It's like having a therapist around 24 hours a day.” –Tina, private client, Jasper, Tennessee
“Thank you very much for helping with my journey toward daily discovery of what secrets lie hidden in my mind.” -Patrick Anglea, Chattanooga, Tennessee
“I have started down what I thought was a dark and lonely road, however with Veronica’s help and guidance I have a light to light my path with the help of these wonderful and insightful books. Thank You.” Kelly Bruce, Chattanooga, Tennessee
The participating book series is designed to encompass all genders, all cultures, all races, and all beliefs, by way of the reader participating or co-writing the other half of the book according to their views.
Veronica Slack is an advocate for recovery processes and solutions
Medical Profession Personnel, August 2018
Good day, I hope this letter finds you well. My name is Veronica Slack and I am the author of a recovery book series titled, “I didn’t ask to think this way, I just do…” The series provides creative long-term recovery support for any person with any issue. I would like you to consider providing these recovery journals to your patients who are prescribed suboxone, methadone, or other opiates long-term. This series invites you to co-write daily meditations that promote better thinking, in journal form. The end result is that each person creates a one-of-a-kind book of their own story. This participating book series is designed to encompass all economic classes, all genders, all cultures, all races, and all beliefs. This occurs by the reader participating in a class or co-writing half of the book unique to their own views.
Currently, I provide the Silverdale Detention Center and the Volunteer Comprehensive Treatment Center with recovery journals. Statistically, the individual response to using the recovery journals is very high and we continue to gather stats. The recovery journals are proven effective for any person coping with any issue.
Adding the recovery journals to your facility services is innovative and it supports a person in unison with any treatment or program already in place, or the series can be used as a stand-alone supportive recovery system. The recovery journals are self-explanatory and user-friendly, just open and begin daily support. The book series is an empowering personal accomplishment to clients or to any person. I suggest starting with the long-term Recovery Journal Volume I or the short-term version 31-days of Volume l.
I am a recovering person and this endeavor has evolved over the last 27 years from hands-on recovery experience, as well as from post-secondary education. In 2012 Chattanooga State Community College presented me with the Excellence Award from the Social and Behavior Science Department. In 2003, I developed and hosted a televised 12 step recovery program for all people struggling in life. The program aired for 3 years via the public access channel in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Over the last 19 years, I have written and designed this recovery series that supports any person daily who is coping with any issue by encouraging participation and change until each book is completed then continues on to the next Volume.
Today I am an advocate for any person recovering from any issue that limits their life and will continue my interaction with institutions and private recovery groups. I also facilitate a weekly Recovery Journal class at the Volunteer Comprehensive Treatment Center. The class creates recovery boards that are posted to our website and other social media in efforts to reach outside of our community to help others. Our website also offers forums that allow a person to view short recovery journal classes, as well as to post thoughts, inspirational pictures, or art.
Thank you for your time, I know you care for your patients’ wellbeing. I do hope you will raise the bar in this simple way when dispensing opiate treatments. Please consider adding or providing Recovery Journal Volume l to your long-term care of patients and placing our brochure display in your lobby. I do not think you will be disappointed in this venture. For more information view our website www.recoveryjournals.org contact 423-355-6471 or email veronicaslack@recoveryjournals.org
Best regards, Veronica Slack
31Day Recovery Journal
Journal/Volume I Complete
Other Books Available
Journal/Volume II
Journal/Volume III
Book I
For more information
Contact us 423-355-6471
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