Many people living in one day at a time recovery know everyday brings hope. We don’t have to feel, experience, or know we have hope. It’s not a matter of faith, trust, good deeds, or anything that we have done that merits us this reality. There is hope everyday because of pain, sickness, death, and tragedy. It is because chains, terror, cruelty, and ill will supersede any act of decency or kindness. It is because want gets twisted into greed, addiction, and to the very least obsessive want. It’s because life gets so selfish we don’t even care enough to share the air that we breathe or the water that we drink. It’s because we wage war with our neighbors because we want what they have or they are a threat to our sanctimonious belief of ourselves, our God, and our society. Everyday we awaken we know this pain, this wrong, and this truth. We shed the tears, we heave the sighs, we sob the sobs, and we know the dark deep days of depression. But still we sing, we smile, we work, we laugh, and we can be exceedingly grateful. People marry or form unions of togetherness. Kindness and charity is a part of our lives. Children are born and they sing their funny rhymes. And even poets can smile. What else could we do but believe their is hope everyday. Hope is because it has to be. It’s a kin to love. There is no other reality.
There is a reality that occurs for some people receiving care from mental health services and that reality which can occur is the reality of having our fears, our worries and our woes dismissed or not heard. It can be a shaming experience. Our concern is lack of care for those of us who are high functioning. Often those of us who are high functioning need to understand that we are a part of reality in which we have an inextricable connection with others and in that connection we understand that we can be alright even in the midst of struggle. It is our own intestinal fortitude and knowing that our lives are doable that keep us going. Some of us call ourselves people living in one day at a time recovery in order that we can be resilient enough to adapt to the every day changes that occur in life. We learn to transcend the reality of disappointment and in doing so we evolve while living in a healthier reality. Some of us develop or are developing a relationship with the other. In doing so we feel the need to tell others who struggle that they’re not alone. Life gets better and adversities will pass. It’s an absolute truth. Peace.
Many people living in one day at a time recovery after a short period of time in such recovery often confuse the reality of growth with the concept of being recovered. Too many people who have lived for years as chemically dependent people believe that they have ascended to a non-existing level of superiority in which they no longer need to learn or experience the ever growing lessons and gifts of one day at a time recovery. Although the delusion of being recovered is usually common in people living in the early years of recovery it can also rear its egoic imaginings in the minds of people who have been in recovery for many years. If we are lucky, constant and continuing self-examination will uncover the reality that we are still very much people living in one day at a time recovery from active chemical dependency. Understanding, and continual practice of such basic realities of recovery keep us living in a world that continues with growth, recovery and reality. We are all just an arm’s length away from relapse. We need ever be vigilant of this. Our daily freedom from active addiction is a gift. Growth reveals this to us. Peace.
Many people living in one day at a time recovery can fall into the trap of disturbed thinking. What we discover is that our egoic imaginings can disturb us to point that we take offense when no offense was intended. Simple misunderstandings occur and our ego often misconstrue realities from being truthfully nothing into realities of being purposely hurt and belittled. Sensitive egoic imaginings tend to feed into thoughts of egoic fear that often become our initial reaction when we imagine insult or disrespect which if we let it, it will result in disturbed thinking. In as such we can become bitter and resentful people. After living in recovery for a while, and this while might take years, we learn to challenge the imaginings of our ego. When we practice this we learn to let go of fear induced disturbed thinking. In other words we will no longer be controlled by the ego’s sensitivity and paranoia. Such egoic imaginings will continue to happen but we know this and we are capable of letting go of these thoughts, especially when we are doing well. This is the reality of living in recovery and in such recovery we understand the gift of letting go. We are being welcomed into healthy reality. Peace.
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.