Many people living in one day at a time recovery understand that it is more than probable that we will get to experience the reality of manageable living. Manageable living is not living perfect and totally wonderful lives it is dealing with the present day as best we can while remaining abstinent from the reality of active addiction. Abstinence creates an opportunity for us to become reasonable and content people. We might say we become reasonable happy people who experience the gift of joy because we practice the responsibility and passion of gratitude. When we are in recovery gratitude is more than doable. As Leonard Cohen would say recovery draws from our hearts the reality of hallelujah. It is more than probable that we find this gift of living manageable lives one day at a time. Peace.
Many people living in one day at a time recovery understand the reality of being sick. Addiction and living with mental health disorders is not a reckoning of how cool we are, how strong we are, or how unique we are. Being sick is a debilitating and difficult condition that causes us to reach out for help both professional and peer in order that we may become healthy enough to function at a level where we can be relatively independent and successful in living a life of recovery and reality. The grace that we receive from other human beings and a higher power which we might call God, the spirit, or the universe makes it possible that we can be well. When we find wellness we’re aware of the grace we have received and are receiving. We become grateful. Not everyone finds recovery. We are the lucky ones. Peace.
Most people living in one day at a time recovery understand when the water is bad it will make us sick. This undeniable reality occurs to us should we partake in using anything that makes our ability and logic impaired. The reason we understand this is because when we were actively using we became totally non-functionable in regards to taking care of ourselves physically, mentally, financially, and socially. When we found abstinence and recovery we learned we were sick people when we were using. We compared using to drinking bad water and bad water always makes us sick. Some of us got so sick that we died. Bad water is poison. Other recovering people and experience taught us this. It’s an undeniable reality. Today we can say no because when abstinent we have a choice. This choice is a gift. There is no other reality. Peace.
Many people living in one day at a time recovery understand the reality of reality is if it isn’t simple it might become extremely difficult. Extremely difficult reality is often based upon founding our realities on the complicated belief that we must always be in charge and we must always explore our journeys by ourselves not seeking the experience of those who can help us with their experience, knowledge, and tried and tested reality. Such endeavors complicate the hell out of life, recovery, and in all reality our reality. It’s a difficult reality to follow. Experience has shown us the reality of simplicity works out better. Remember that. Others can help us. It’s what recovery and reality are all about. Keep it simple and reach out. It’s a better reality. We need to let go of our fear. We don’t need to make reality difficult. Reality is a gift. Peace.
Many people living in one day at a time recovery understand that difficulties occur more often than usual when we partake of endeavors all on our own without solicitating support from others who can and will be supportive to us when such difficulties occur thereby helping us to complete such endeavors one day at a time. Such support is imperative for such completions and we know that we don’t have a snowball’s chance in hell unless we remain abstinent from whatever we must be abstinent from just one day at a time. When we are in recovery and we do have support most endeavors are doable for us. When we do have support most endeavors are more often than usual completable. We learn this one day at a time. It’s the gift of togetherness which is just another name for the face of the other. It helps us all. Peace.
Most people living in one day at a time recovery understand the utmost importance of living in the reality of one day at a time abstinence. In our abstinence we eventually come to realize that when we are in recovery we automatically but not purposely become people who are being of service to other people including our family members and those who are closest to us. When we become healthy in our abstinence and in our recovery these people begin to find a peace because their concerns for our safety become less and less to the umpteenth degree. Wellness becomes a reality. We also become of service to people who are still using. Our abstinence and our recovery becomes quite a testimony of wellness to those who still suffer. Sometimes they want to be like us. This is a great service to all people. Our recovery becomes a humble reality. For this we are grateful. Peace.
Some people living in one day at a time recovery understand the reality of only seeing the big story in regards to life and recovery. We become so hell bent on saving the whole world we forget about the small groups of people who participate day in and day out in the rooms of recovery, coffee shops, and kitchens while helping each other to stay clean and sober one day at a time. In our inner-circle these people are the ones who listen to our woes and share their experience, strength, and hope with us. When we understand this we understand what it is like when people call each other friend which means our inner-circle is where our friends are and together we are making the world a better place. It’s our tried and tested reality and it works. That’s the basics. Us and our friends. We work together. Peace.
Many people living in one day at a time recovery come to understand that they are living in a world full of teachers. As we pick and choose who our teachers are we are discovering that the teachers we have chosen can be, or were, every bit as messed up as we are or we were. We also discover few are our teachers who we can put up on pedestals. They too are human, and they can fall and stumble just as badly as anyone else can. Another reality we understand is our teachers who tell us what we must do are definitely walking on thin ice. Those of us who have found the rooms of recovery know this. A good teacher is someone who remains a student and leads by example. It’s our greatest strength and it’s our humble reality. We’re always students. For this we are grateful. Peace.
Some people living in one day at a time recovery understand that if we don’t let go of whatever we don’t let go of it will consume us. This is the reality of addiction. We seemed doomed to use and using was an all powerful entity that consumed every moment and every breath that we lived. Situations and circumstances can do the same to us while we are living in recovery. It is an untasteful title we are bearing but in all reality we have become control freaks who must control every stressor, every challenge, and every hiccup that we encounter as we live this journey that we call recovery. Many of us turn to centering prayer to help us let go (something like “The Serenity Prayer”). Centering prayer helps us to let go of adversity. We have been told “Let go and let God”. It saves us a lot of trouble. It’s a new way of life for us and it works. Peace.
Many people living in one day at a time recovery understand the importance of us being abstinent from actively using whatever it is that in all reality impairs our thinking. In the grand scheme of things our living in recovery is more than important to not only ourselves but many others as well. Our families, our friends, our co-workers, and just about everyone else we know benefits from our one day at a time recovery. Our abstinence causes a chain reaction of joy in all of us. Many thought that we wouldn’t measure up to much but we have. We are living and breathing miracles of freedom in God’s magnificent one day at a time garden. For this, we and many others are grateful. Peace.