People living in one day at a time recovery understand the reality of being held in the arms of the universe. There are times when life is extremely difficult and painful. Vulnerability runs through our veins crushing our hearts. Our minds become lost in the difficulties of defeat. We hold it together one day at a time but all this hurt makes our eyes start to leak as we start to sob, and with each sob we start to fall apart. If there are empathetic people with us we are more than likely going to be held. This is being held in the arms of the universe. It is an inextricable bond that we have with others. People have an innate need to comfort people in pain. We also have an innate need to be comforted by people when we ourselves are in pain. This is the real world. It happens all the time. It happens in the rooms of recovery and it happens in churches. It happens in kitchens, living rooms and bedrooms. It happens in hospitals, funeral parlors and gravesites. It can happen anywhere. And when we are being held we don’t know that we are being held in the arms of the universe. All we know is we are falling apart and someone is holding us. That is enough. We’re in the arms of the universe. It’s a God thing. Peace.
There are some people living in one day at a time recovery who understand the reality of reasonable happiness. Reasonable happiness occurs when we are able to live in recovery while being free from active addiction and living healthy, generous, altruistic lives while trying to be reasonable and realistic about our journeys. Part of living such lives are that we cannot do this all the time but such reasonable and empathetic realities do happen enough that we get to claim the reality of reasonable happiness. In as such we do a lot of soul seeking and a we partake in a lot practice to deal with our own adversity which we often overcome or accept one day at time. To overcome that which can be changed or to accept that which cannot be changed is a stepping stone in reality. Others often want to be a part of this reality for their own peace of mind. Perhaps others have modelled such realities for us, and we unknowingly model it for others. In doing so we live reasonably happy lives. When we do as such we are not settling for second rate lives. We are a part of human reality living as people with humility who can have happy, joyous and free lives living in reality while we are being reasonable and kind. Not only to others but to ourselves as well. We are stepping into growth. The miracle is a one day at a time event and it is happening now. It’s a gift. Peace.
Some people living in one day at a time recovery wake up in search of and for a mindful morning or should we say a mindful moment. Perhaps as we are awakened we awaken with morning’s anxiety. This is a reality for some people and often we take a hurried moment thanking God, the spirit or the universe for awakening us. We surrender our being to such a power asking for help to face the day and fulfill our daily responsibilities as a recovering and responsible person. Some of us read inspirational messages trying to tune into a mindful moment. For some of us being mindful doesn’t occur until we’ve started drinking our first cup of coffee. Perhaps our first mindful moment is enjoying that cup of coffee. And that might be it for our moment of mindfulness which is that awareness that nudges our senses to say wake up and smell and taste the coffee. After that moment of morning mindfulness we can be off to work. It’s reality. Perhaps such moments are simple but they are part of our overall awakening. In as such our morning anxiety is reduced significantly. We learn the reality of gratitude because of one small mindful moment. Our reality is that some of us don’t get that cup of coffee until we arrive at work. It’s such a simple thing. Peace.
Most people living in one day at a time recovery have felt and witnessed the beauty of gratitude. Reality is the joy of thank you. We feel and get to see gratitude in the appreciation of a God moment which can be a gift, an experience or an act of love which we are a recipient of or a witness to. It might even have been us who God, the spirit or the universe worked this moment through. Some call it a blessing – some call this moment an act of grace. A good many of us have been recipients of such acts. We in all humility know the reality of gratitude. What we feel, and what we understand is that our fall, our bottom or our difficulties initiate the reality of our one day at a time recovery. And we are so grateful for our recovery. In our humble reality we get to see grace. We get to see love. We can also be blessed. And we are so grateful when we have the opportunity to be a part of such God moments for others. For all of this we just want to say thank you! Peace.
Sometimes those of us living in one day at a time recovery have periods of a time when we are holding our breath just hoping for a break. Past reality has let us know that sooner or later a break will come. While waiting for a break to happen many of us hold on while holding our breath while struggling with great difficulty. Often we have to let that breath out and breathe deeply and let it out again. Maybe we need to go for a walk or maybe we need to take a break and have a decaf coffee with someone. It appears that we need to learn to stay calm when we are worrying. Some of us are good at it. Some of us – well we struggle. Sooner or later everyone does but sooner or later everyone gets a break. If there is one thing one day at a time recovery has taught us is we are far better off if we can apply some form of a break in our everyday daily lives. We are vigilant in this. Long term abstinence and recovery are made possible because of this. Let go for a bit. Peace.
Some people living in one day at a time recovery understand the reality of panic attacks causing discord. Very often when panic attacks attack someone they are in an array of emotion in which they feel threatened and unsafe. They might be in such a state that in this attack of panic that others present at such a time feel unsafe or powerless because of the aggressive tone of the person in panic. This is why panic attacks are called attacks. It affects everyone present. The ideal situation is for others present during a panic attack is for them to be calm to help the person in panic to become calm. Especially when those in panic are not violent people. When the panic stops the person who was in panic knows that they have caused discord. They probably feel pretty bad about it. Panic attacks can happen. Sometimes that which has caused the attack is an easy fix. Some of us just need help. This is reality. Peace.
Those of us who have been living in one day at a time reality for any amount of time know that grace is founded in reality. Any other notion of grace is ridiculous. Those who disagree with the concept of grace are caught up in lives filled with resentment and bitterness. Those of us who believe in love, kindness and one understand that grace has to be founded in reality. The human race would not survive without it or at least the human race as we know it. You know the human race with those who believe in love, kindness and one. Many of us could have been exterminated a long time ago if it wasn’t for grace. The witch hunts still go on yet to this day. And many of us who have been saved from extermination understand the reality of love, kindness and one. That’s why it’s important for grace to be founded in reality. Many of us need it. What is grace founded in reality? It’s being a part of love, kindness and one. People living in one day at a time recovery understand this. If we don’t we need more grace. That’s our one reality. Peace.
Some people new to recovery believe that newly formed romantic relationships are meant to light up our lives like a starry starry night. In hospitals, detoxes or treatment centers we might find ourselves entering into relationships with someone we believe has the potential to be our significant other. Those of us who are prone to sex and love addiction understand the reality of this. We are not saying that relationships in early recovery don’t always work out because very often they can. We need to understand the reality of love. It isn’t always new, refreshing, butterflies and fireworks. The butterflies migrate to better climates and a heavy dose of rain can delay the fireworks from time to time. The bills have to be paid and we all have to understand the reality of give and take. Often we are advised not to enter into a new relationship until we have a year of recovery. In 12 step rooms we hear of the 13th step. The 13th step is when someone who has been in recovery for a while enters into a relationship with someone new to the program. People new to recovery who enter into relationships early in recovery often face the possibility of relapse should such relationships not work out. The same goes for 13th step relationships. Both of these types of relationships can be harmful. We need to at least understand this possibility. It isn’t always starry starry nights. It isn’t always old fashion love songs. Love exist founded in reality. Peace.
Some people living in one day at a time recovery visit family members for coffee. Whether we have it on the deck on a sunny day when summer is winding down or in the kitchen when fall is in the air more often than not it is a pleasant experience. Being with family makes the day, and sharing coffee accentuates the enjoyment. There is no reason to take offense at anything during these enjoyable times. Our false-selves (the ego, the cynic and what life has made us) usually lives at bay during such times. It might even go to sleep for a while. This often happens when we are at peace and the false-self stays quiet. We are experiencing the reality of love and comfort. In other words during these times we are comfortable in our own skins and we are are grateful. Such times are the gift of grace. Peace.
Some people living in one day at a time recovery have bouts of cynical reality. Cynical realism creates a depressive view of an angry and hopeless world in which we believe people are harsh and cruel human beings who have little concern for others. In all reality cynical realism creates mistrust and can even go so far as to interfere with close relationships. Some of us need to take medication to move past the dark reality of cynical realism. Cynical realists are not happy healthy people. They become frightened and bitter people. Some of us know this from experience. Cynical realism interferes with one day at a time recovery. When in recovery we deal with adversity, mishaps and cynical thoughts quite well. We learn to let go of what we need to let go. As was said some of us take medication and we live healthy happy lives. Not perfect but good. Peace.