When we are living in one day a time recovery we realize that we have to roll with the punches that life hits us with. Even when we are resilient people it is important not to take a hit square on the jaw for fear of what damage might occur because of it. If you are experiencing adversities, like so many of us do, you have probably been helped back up and then taken back to your corner by caring people. These people might even throw in the towel to stop the adversity from really hurting us. Civilized people living in civilized societies create fail-safes in order that we can roll with the punches and survive in what can be perceived as a cruel and unjust world. People in community, whether community is small like the size of a church group or large like the size of a country can be very kind to us. And you can believe them when they say that they have had to learn to roll with the punches too. Their natural abilities, empathy and sense of others has inspired such folks to believe and contribute not only for themselves but also for the good for others. These others include us and some of us are these good people. This is the better-half of reality in which we live one day at a time as we roll with the punches that hit us. It’s a part of growth. Peace.
Many of us living in one day at a time recovery understand that it is okay to change our minds. This understanding and having the ability to do so can be difficult for us. It is especially important for those of us who have trouble saying no to accept this reality because often we find ourselves saying yes to commitments or request we really wanted to say no to. If only we could have said no in the first place. Having the ability to set boundaries and stick to them is a needed life skill that many of us lack. A good practice is having the ability to say the words – Let me think about it”. In all reality it is okay for us to change our minds when we feel the need to. The coercion of business and it’s legal obligations have stymied our ability to change our minds. This is often forced upon us by such legal obligations such as let the buyer beware. Often this creates an unreasonable responsibility in which many people suffer because of its legal obligation. When we have the reality of the possibility of changing our minds in instances where it is necessary we do so. Most of us wouldn’t do it unless it is a necessary action. We don’t do it without good reason. It’s reality. Peace.
Many people living in one day at a time recovery understand the reality of smiling moments. In our experience we have learned to treasure such moments. Sometimes we have lost such moments through the fears and the tears of heartache. Other times we have lost our smiles because of adversities causing debilitating stress. This is the reality of life. This is why we treasure smiling moments. Such moments are our connection to joy. This is our reality. Simple things such as a compliment over some muffins we have baked and shared with others can bring us smiling moments. Simple things like eating a muffin someone has baked can bring us smiling moments. Such moments can set the stage for a good day. We welcome the smiles. Peace.
Many people living in one day at a time recovery understand the reality of being cautious. In all reality when we are in places where alcohol is being served we know that we don’t leave our non-alcoholic beverage unattended. This is also important for people who are consuming alcohol. Many such people do not leave their alcoholic drink unattended for fear that someone might slip something into it. Caution is a reality for most people. Another reality is the amount of trust that we put in other people. People can often fall short in keeping confidences private and arranged repayments of personal loans can fall short. We know such realities. Most of us know this from experience. It is the kind and generous souls that experience this sometimes repetitively. It is not that we throw caution to the wind. It’s part of our makeup. Many people can be like this. In reality it’s our reality. Being cautious where and when alcohol is being served is wise. We also learn that trust has to be earned. It’s reality. Peace.
Many people living in one day at a time recovery understand the reality of feeling unsafe. It is the reality causing the need for a protective or a pseudo-protective society. In such a reality we are told when we feel threatened to be courageous. We are also told to stand up and fight. What about those of us who can’t for the simple reason that they are non-violent souls. Here’s a reality check. If we stop making bullies, and I mean all the bullies, maybe we don’t have to stand up anymore. Maybe people should be taught to be people but since that hasn’t worked for thousands of years maybe if we feel unsafe we can just leave. We’ve created protective and pseudo-protective societies for centuries and people are suffering and dying because of it. There are times for non-violent crisis interventions and there are times for us to leave. I truly believe there are many of us who believe this in one way or another. Jesus and Dr. King showed us this. Love isn’t just a silly song and kindness is in no short supply. They are plentiful human realities. Real people have shown us this in families, communities, neighborhoods and countries. A protective society yes. A pseudo-protective society has only one thought which is stand up and fight. Most people would rather walk away. Peace.
One of the keys in finding one day at a time recovery from mental health disorders that are complicated with addiction is the reality of healthy repetition. One of such repetitions is the inner-acknowledgement that I must not partake in that first drink, hit or puff. Such an acknowledgement is an absolute truth for those of us who are living with or are in one day at a time recovery from substance addiction. It helps us to live in abstinence and in abstinence we are often capable of following a fairly healthy routine. In this routine of wellness many of us understand the reality of taking medication as prescribed by a practicing physician in order that we can be healthy. When we are healthy, healthy repetition is natural to us. We learn the reality of living life one day at a time and there are times that we get to experience the gift of the present moment. When the gift of the present moment occurs there are times that it gives birth to the reality of experiencing the reality of being in awe. In being so we experience the amazing. Most of us cannot adequately describe such experiences with words. Some of us bow our heads and say thank you. There is nothing else we can say. So we live the reality of healthy repetition and participate in one day at a time recovery. It’s a gift. Peace.
Those of us living in one day at a time recovery are given continuing purpose by the other. For many of us our continuing purpose is to trust in reality, live in recovery and also to share in the responsibility of the other in and with those we encounter which often happens in ways unbeknownst to us. We eventually understand we are part of the mystery of life. In pain or in joy we share the inextricable connection with all people but we especially have a purpose to either assist or be assisted by those we are akin with. What we understand is that God, the spirit or the universe gives us ample opportunity to be a part of our own journey and as we do we understand the reality of the other which is we become instruments of the others’ peace which is a very simple task. This task is we help each other in an open kind and continuing purpose as we furthermore experience our own one day at a time recovery. In other words we live in today, we laugh in today, we cry in today and we love in today. As we do so we are fulfilling the continuing purpose given to us by the other. We are not really all that unique. We understand this. Life is a gift. Peace.
Many people living in one day at a time recovery understand the reality of being inextricably connected to other people living in one day at a time recovery. We also understand the reality of being inextricably connected to those who are living with mental health disorders that are coinciding with active addiction. In all reality we understand that all people are inextricably connected to each other and in as such we become witness to such connections through the experience of God moments or acts of grace of which we can only say – it must be a God thing. Such experiences do happen and many of us firmly believe that God, the spirit or the universe often works through others. When we understand this reality we can understand how humble we have really become – just a speck of dust drifting through the cosmos but none the less a speck of dust that can become a major part in the grand scheme of things. As some have done for us we might do for others which is to help others break free from the bondage of self and the chains of active addiction. In gratitude and in humility we understand this reality and we understand that it must be a God thing. This understanding comes to all of us born from the spark of desperation. Reality and recovery are one day at a time gifts. We welcome them. Peace.
Many people living in one day at a time recovery understand the reality of mythological independence. We are all dependent upon someone, some group, or some existing thing to keep us healthy, functional, and alive in one way or another. Such healthy dependence reveals the reality and the possibility of finding and maintaining one day at a time recovery. To think we are totally independent from anyone or anything is a dangerous and delusional train of belief. Our belief in an inextricable connection with each other is a healthy mode of thought which reinforces the togetherness of our one day at a time bond with other recovering people. We understand the reality that God, the spirit or the universe is working in each of us to help each other to be well. We know reality and we are not saying that we cannot live the reality of being healthy and independent in many facets of life and recovery. What we are saying is that we understand the reality of healthy independence. We understand that living in recovery is a personal responsibility. In our inextricable connection with each other we understand the reality of togetherness as opposed to the reality of mythological independence. Mythological independence is a lonely, lonely place. Recovery is a gift that lets us know we are not alone. Let’s enjoy it. Peace.
Many people living in one day at a time recovery know that our teachers and our mentors become tired as all teachers and mentors do but they continue to teach and we continue to to learn. Our teachers are the joyous and torrid paths found in this thing called life. It can leave us with a tiredness because our lives can do this to us. Our teachers become tired because we are often worn out by responsibility and adversity. Life teaches us this during economic difficulties, health problems and at times from such things like the weather. Heat and humidity also can play a major role in bringing us into a state in which we are lethargic, listless and just plain over-heated. Our mentors know this. They remind us to hydrate, rest and live life one day at a time. They tell us that this too shall pass. There are even times when we go out for a soft drink and cool off in an air-condition place. (That is if we don’t already have air-conditioned homes.) Also we rest as much as we can. We need to take care of ourselves. Our teachers and our mentors teach us this. Peace.