Many people who are living with mental health disorders and addiction need help with the reality of saying no or setting boundaries. This is a fact of life and many of us fall under the category of vulnerable people. In reality it’s not because we don’t say no it’s because people won’t listen when we do say no. For those of us who are able to find recovery we know it is a miracle that we ever did find a way to abstain from whatever it was that we used to escape life. You see – reality is people we say no to force their realities on to us. Those of us who are passive know this way too well. All we can say to ourselves is keep on saying no to using and ask for help. Pray for safety and love. We all need help and we deserve it. Peace.
Many people living in one day at a time recovery remember what it was like when we uttered out-loud the words “God help me.” It is a desperate time that often leads to us receiving the gift of desperation. This gift of desperation is something we might not fully understand until years after of living in recovery. When we become aware of how alone we felt at that particular moment we understand we had to feel that aloneness because God was the only thing that could help us and when this higher power came noticeably into our lives we understood we were never alone and because of this we found ourselves surrounded by others in the rooms of recovery. This gave us the gift of belonging and the reality of hope. One day at a time we began to grow. It’s a reality of grace. Be grateful. Peace.
Many people living in one day at a time recovery understood when we had hit our limit in regards to how much and how often we would use substances to escape reality. We also hit our limits as to how many times we could be bailed out by our family members. We had to come to terms with the idea that our loved ones’ constant rescuing was a responsibility they no longer wanted in order that they could have their own peace of mind. They discovered if they didn’t stop we would never grow up. When we discovered we had no choice but to be responsible we became responsible. In doing so we gained freedom and gratitude because we found a one day at a time journey that we could truly appreciate. In doing so we learned what life and recovery was really about. Peace.
Many people who are living in one day at a time recovery are people who are going to bed with faith. We are people who set our alarms to help us wake up the next day which in all reality is a great act of faith. Often we set our coffee makers to brew us a pot of coffee upon our awakening and we arise to the smell of fresh brewing coffee. Why do we do this? We do this because we love life and we are responsible. Not only do we just simply overall love life we love our lives in which we love living in recovery one day at a time. Wake up and smell the coffee brewing. Join the faithful. You might save someone’s life today. Peace.
Many people living in one day at a time recovery know that we really need reality but in knowing that we know that reality is not living in the past or living in the future. Reality is dealing with the present. The present that we need to live in is dealing with the actions and the responsibilities of this day. Even if our actions are actions that prepare us for the future we do so in each moment. This is reality enough. When we participate in the present task of the present day we are actually living in an awareness that creates a good past. There is a lot to be said about doing tasks with intention. This makes the reality of a well done past. We now know the reality of wellness. The past and the future have been and will be. Today is the reality. We really need reality don’t we. It’s all grace. Welcome to the present. Peace.
Many people living in one day at a time recovery understand the reality of being owned by the weed demons. There is a big difference in recreational and medicinal usage of cannabis and being a weed addict. Weed addicts cannot control their usage. Often weed addicts cannot function at a mature level of being able to adapt to adversity and they often fall short in fulfilling the responsibilities of every day task such as controlling emotional outburst, going to work, and maintaining an adult level of independence. Most people grow out of this by the time they are in their twenties but the weed addicts do not. They need help. What do we do? We reach out and get the help we need. When we do we find one day at a time freedom. Reach out. Join a 12 step program. You’re worth it. Peace.
Many people living in one day at a time recovery understand the reality of searching for peace of mind. What we are quick to understand is that peace of mind is in changing what we need to change and accepting what we cannot change. In other words we cannot change the nature of the universe no matter how hard we try but if we are to become and remain abstinent from that which impairs our thinking we will find healthy and manageable lives. This means we will learn to navigate adversity and perhaps gain a bit of wisdom when we do so. One of the greatest gifts we will receive is the one day at a time freedom that recovering people experience one day at a time. This simple approach to life brings much peace with it. Reality can be a wonderful. We just need to step aside and let it happen. Peace.
Many people living in one day at a time recovery know the reality of living in the mystery. The mystery begins upon our awakening when we draw our first conscience breath as we ask for help and gratefully acknowledge the reality of a new day. Our reality becomes “Whatever will be will be”. If only it was that simple. Why would we worry – because we are living in a mystery. Life has a way of conditioning us to be anxious and our remedy is to call upon our togetherness with God, the spirit, or the universe. Our awakening petition is “God help me” and he, she, or they does. Why or how do we know. We know because we are drawing sober breaths. The miracle is working. For this we are grateful. It’s a big thing this grateful thing is and faith finds us. We trust the mystery. “Whatever will be will be”. Peace.
Many people living in one day at a time recovery know the reality of relaxing on a rainy Saturday afternoon. The whole idea of living in recovery is to remain abstinent on such days even if we are little bored, a little sad, or even a little lonely. Some of might even think about hitting up a noon hour meeting in the rooms of recovery and perhaps even going for coffee with friends after the meeting. Some of us might turn a rainy Saturday afternoon into a family day. Our reality becomes we can relax in many different ways either by ourselves or with others. Some of us might just have a nap. Reality is reality and relaxing is relaxing and relaxing is a tool that can introduce us to silence. Silence in all reality is a bonus. So we relax and we enjoy. It’s a gift. Peace.
Many people living in one day at a time recovery understand the reality of living in quiet times of fear. We were told in early recovery that people who lived to use and used to live often were afraid. Most of our fears stemmed from uncertainty especially when we felt the need to be in complete control of everything. We call this self-centered fear. A little bit of faith and trusting in the reality that God, the spirit, or the universe is and always was in control helps us to maybe even let go and trust in the process. Most things usually work out okay. When we are living with fear and we express this fear to a friend it helps to ease this fear. Often talking with another helps us to adapt and eases our fear. Prayer helps too. Have faith and reach out. Why? Because it works. Peace.