The reality of short-term physical impairment can happen to anyone, and it can be particularly cumbersome to those living with such. One day at a time we are diligent in trying to adjust to being housebound. Perhaps we have to adjust to the loss of earnings from certain types of work. Perhaps advocations, and other passions, will need to be put on hold. Recovering people are no different from other people. These are difficult times. They could last a few months. If we are managing to stay clean and sober, one day at a time, life has a way of balancing out. The calls and visits we receive are blessings, be they many or few. Any progress made in our physical recovery is a bonus, and emotional difficulties can become less than they were at the first. We become grateful for this because this is the common gift of healing. And as we know, this happens to us, one day at a time.
Sometimes hanging on to one day at a time recovery is all that people like us can do. Mental health disorders are not the only obstacle in the way of those who live one day at a time. Nonetheless much of our mindset is based on I can’t instead of help me. In addition to this there are, as was said before, times we just need to hang on. After getting through a period of just hanging on we realize how others have been there for us. Gratitude for others’ generosity, concern, and love becomes more than apparent. We now realize, as people who live in one day at a time recovery, the generosity of those close to us, our cohorts, and the God of our own understanding. Love and goodwill are the building blocks of our recovery. We might not know it now, but one day at a time we experience this. It’s the gift of hanging on, or the benefit of surprise. Hang on. It happens.
A hazed and tired autumn brings the sleeping of the bear
The hunt is on at break of dawn the tracking of the deer
And soon I’ll travel forward to the Autumn of my life
While resting is the buzzing bee and I beseech less strife
And autumn but a chance to see and also time to feel
A poet’s inspiration a painter’s rent and meal
And words could never touch this time a masterpiece of God
For He softly lets the seasons change showing artists we are frauds
As Providence puts bears at rest and buzzing bees to sleep
A masterpiece that I can’t make the time I cannot keep
So gently I will close my eyes through the colors and the winds
And before I slowly drift in sleep I will say adieu my friends.