Many people living in one day at a time recovery understand the reality of trying to climb a ladder without rungs. When we do this we are the people who come into the rooms of recovery refusing to take direction from others who have experience in recovery and have a good handle on how to live life one day at a time and could probably help us with the experience they have gained while they have lived decades in abstinence. If we are not teachable we will probably never learn. This is especially true in regards to 12 step recovery. Without working the 12 steps we will probably struggle far more than those who take direction from people with the experience in working the steps. What we have learned is the 12 steps are the rungs of the ladder. They are an easier softer way. Please pay attention. Peace.
Many people living in one day at a time recovery understand that not everyone likes us. Our best response is to simply accept this. There is no need for a well thought out speech in which we can state how good we are as people living in one day at a time recovery or how much we have changed for the better but we can accept that some people just don’t like us. Our knowledge tells us our lives are founded in the reality of grace. We cannot control what others feel nor can we say what’s not to love. We might have even awakened by leaps and bounds but perhaps this is not for others to know. After all – do we like everyone we know? If we are honest the answer is probably no. We are here to love and respect others. It’s just plain decency. Be nice. Peace.
Many people living in one day at a time recovery know about enjoying that first cup of coffee on an easy-going and joyful morning. Sometimes that first sip is so good that we beam inside and a smile comes to our face. These are special times that we often experience when we are the first ones up or if we do live alone it can honestly and truly be a grand time anyways. The word grand seems like a bit of a stretch for a morning coffee but it isn’t. It’s the regular and simple things that make us happy. Reality is good. What else can we say. Peace.
Most people who are living in one day at a time recovery know that you can’t just google recovery. We can argue that we can discover many excellent speakers versed well in recovery topics and that we can read quite a bit of information about living in recovery but it is not the same as in-person support, in-person wisdom, and in-person hugs and handshakes. What we are saying is that google cannot empathize with us or feel with us the reality of in-person settings. Google cannot read our cues or smile with us when we experience milestones, miracles, or joy. What we are saying is that we all need that human touch. It’s just the way it is. And google cannot give us grace. It’s a big help but human growth is done with human beings. You can’t JUST google recovery. Peace.
Many people living in one day at a time recovery know the reality of when resentments come a knocking. The demands of an over-sensitive and narcissistic ego can be easily slighted. Especially when it is not always the center of attention. Those of us who journal can uncover that our-self-centered woes come bearing a supposed heavy load that we need not carry especially when we see we were not being slighted at all. Oh the ego is a funny thing isn’t it. It becomes upset because the damn thing thinks it is important. As a matter of fact it thinks of itself so highly that it becomes too important. A bit of humility teaches us to let go when resentments come a knocking. Even when we are slighted. Letting go sets us free. One day at a time we grow. It’s a better reality. Peace.
Many people living in one day at a time recovery know that many good and well-meaning people don’t understand the reality of our disorders. Often they will say that we just have to say no. We understand this and if it was just that easy we would agree with them. Our reality though is that we absolutely have to say no to just that first one one day at a time. This is a little different from just saying no and is the reason why most people don’t understand our reality. They might think we are just weak. We know we are people living with an illness and that we are always just an arm’s length away from picking up. Staying vigilant and surrendering to the reality that we cannot pick up that first one one day at a time is of paramount importance. Our lives depend on it. Peace.
Many people living in one day at a time recovery understand the reality of being denied participation in the belonging of communities because we lack the wisdom or the no how to do so. It is not a put down or an all out rejection of our being. It is the reality of divides which we cannot build bridges over simply because that’s the way it is. It can be like this in the rooms of recovery too. How can we add anything to a conversation about recovery when we continue slip in and out of abstinence simply because we are not there yet. We are not denying you participation. We just need you to listen a little bit. That’s how we participate at at first. We must listen. We hear you. You always belong and it will be okay. In time you’ll understand. We love you. Peace.
Many people living in one day at a time recovery understand the reality of giving unnecessary direction. This is the reality of whether we should or should not give anyone direction about the use of psychiatric medication. Whether we should or not comes down to whether we are professionals with the ability to do so effectively and successfully. Those of us who are living in one day at a time recovery who do take psychiatric medication know what its benefits are. We stayed alive, functioning, healthy and abstinent for many years because of it. We also know the reality of medicating normal when perhaps a doctor or a therapist could have helped us to navigate life with non-medicated direction giving us the tools to face life on life’s own terms. Experience and time become great helpers. When we are maturing our eyes will open. It all happens in God’s time as we grow one day at a time. We learn to do difficult. Peace
Most people living in one day at a time recovery know that pumpkin pie is not apple pie. Reality is that they both need sunshine and water to grow. In other words all people who are seeking recovery need love and support. We also need to experience a bottom or have some kind of pain that makes it possible for us to reach out for help. When we do experience pain somewhere in there is a bit of a revelation which is we all need to live life one day at a time with a bit of a divine intervention to help us find abstinence. If not we might not grow into the different bur similar recovering people that we will become. (Emphasis on recovering) We are all one day at a time miracles. We are all a bit different as we are all supposed to be. Be grateful and enjoy the ride. Peace.
Many people living in one day at a time recovery have to stop, think, and ask ourselves this important question “Can we truthfully see that we are loved beyond all measure by a force we often call God, the spirit, or the universe and that he, she, or they make this evident by the gift of our every breath?”. A breath in – hold – and a breath out. This is the reality of the moment. It is the act of mindfulness at work. A breath in – hold – a breath out. Start by setting a timer. Repeat a breath in – hold – a breath out. Do it for five minutes. That is all we need do at the beginning. Be aware of your breathing and be aware of your body’s sensation. Let your thoughts drift away like clouds often do. Breathe in – hold – breathe out. We are starting a journey of awareness. We know or we will begin to know that we are loved. Our eyes are opening. Breathing has a way of making us aware. Peace.