Some of us living in one day at a time recovery get to understand that our recovery is a subtle transformation. We become a bit more at peace with ourselves learning not only to accept those things we cannot change but we also learn to appreciate the subtle transformations in our beings as we become a bit more developed in life in its complexities and subtle possibilities. For some of us we stop transmitting the abundance of pain that oozed from our torn and battered egos. We get to understand the realities of grace and gratitude. In truth this is a gift from our relationship with the other and we did little to nothing to merit such a gift. One day at a time recovery makes us capable of accepting it. Humility reveals to us we will attain growth but not perfection. Recovery becomes a subtle transformation. It’s part of reality. Peace.
Many people living in one day at a time recovery are learning to read the other in each other. The reality we are learning to read is that if we look with our eyes wide open we will see the face of God, the creator, the spirit or the universe in each other. Perhaps we are learning to comprehend each other’s pain and suffering, and we are also learning to appreciate each other’s freedom and joy. This is the reality of living in recovery however imperfect our recovery might be. If we choose not to appreciate each other’s freedom and joy we will discover we are living in a universe of self. We learn only the lessons of our own pain and often stay caught in our own suffering. In reality gratitude is an antidote to self and when we are doing well we understand this. It becomes reality. Peace.
Many people living in one day at a time recovery are familiar with the phenomena of spiritual stumbling blocks. This is a reality to all people and it is the reality of struggle or a principal of the Buddha which is life is suffering. Some would say we all have a cross to carry. Perhaps, in reality, it is the gifts of imperfection. Such gifts keep us from being able to claim spiritual superiority as individuals or as any group of people. These stumbling blocks can become the taming of the ego. This is evident to us as we grow older and perhaps become a bit more loving, kinder and caring. This is the reality of humility. Perhaps we don’t understand as to why we must experience the reality of spiritual stumbling blocks but our lives and our recovery reveal to us their reality. Maybe they just bring us closer to each other. Peace.
Some people living in one day at a time recovery know the reality of living with incomes below the incomes afforded to those of the middle class. One day at a time we have adapted and try to get by with humble and modest budgets. Sometimes we rob Peter to pay Paul simply to try and keep up with the rising costs of living. Some of our realities are the need for reliable transportation and affordable housing. Another reality is – is there any housing at all? This is the dilemma of those who are elderly, disabled, or occupationally challenged. We might even live with all three barriers. Recovery gives us the ability to cope. We don’t like the stress but the wellness we now have is a gift from our inextricable connection with the other. We need to remember that. We learn to seize the day. Peace.
Most people living in one day at a time recovery understand that if we accepted that active addictions had taken control of our lives recovery or abstinence then had the power to be. Inasmuch many of us admitted we needed help to find this gift of one day at a time recovery. In the beginning it didn’t always seem easy but we knew acceptance was the answer to what could be a problematic endeavor. Often we reached out for professional help and in doing so we received treatment from such professionals and many times they suggested we reach out to other recovering people to find support, and to join these people meeting with them in the rooms of recovery. Very quickly recovery went from a problematic endeavor into a hopeful and welcomed journey of one day at a time living because of those we were growing akin with. They told us of the ups and downs and the joys and struggles of one day at a time recovery. They modeled the reality of recovery for us and they showed us life gets better. They revealed to us not only would life become manageable but it was a doable achievement in which we would experience a new freedom and new happiness. We also got to join them in the experience of the other while being inextricably connected as recovering people and in as such living the power of acceptance one day at a time. It’s a gift. Peace.
Many people living in one day at a time recovery understand the reality of a joyous and torrid path that we call life. We know that many of us living in developed countries have had people and institutions telling us we should be happier and that we should have more of what they prescribe to in which they are trying to sell to us so we can have such happiness. What they don’t tell us is how difficult life can become as we try to obtain such happiness. We become totally individualistic as we try to gain membership to such attractive pitches and lose touch with such endeavors as kindness, love, and otherness. It presents for us a torrid path in which joy is hard to find and happiness is unobtainable. Some of us call it obsessive want and many of us experience it as addiction. It is its reality and life becomes more difficult than it needs to be. One day at a time recovery reveals this to us. In recovery we find gratitude and in gratitude we find joy. We understand that life can be difficult but we find it is easier, kinder and more loving. Peace.
People living in one day at a time recovery understand the reality of mistaken assumptions. Sometimes we assume the worst in others, situations and possible difficult occurrences or events. It is the reality of suspicious, frightened, unknown and unmanageable thoughts. Some would say assuming the worst is a subscription to realism and the acknowledgement that life is often cruel. Those of us who participate or participated in such belief systems have come to the realization that this is depressive and self-defeating thinking. Experience, and plain old common sense tell us to stop assuming the worst in others and to believe most difficulties work out okay. We have been told to change our thinking and when we do we believe in grace. When we do our lives are better, and our reality changes. Peace.
Many people living in one day at a time recovery talk about living happy, joyous and free lives. Some people new to recovery have difficulty believing us when we say such things. They wonder don’t we ever feel sad or depressed or even at times despondent? Do we ever feel trapped by responsibilities and musts? In reality all we can say is of course we do. Recovery is living in reality and reality can be difficult. In reality though, we are living in relationship with the otherness. In other words we don’t have to face life alone and we believe in our inextricable connection to each other and to God, the spirit or the universe. We know that seasons change. What we have discovered is the new happiness, the new joy and the new freedom of belonging with the ability to live in reality with the capability of being responsible while taking part in recovery and life. This is the gift of a modern day miracle. It’s called gratitude. Why wouldn’t we say we are happy, joyous and free. We found it one day at a time. Peace.
Many people living in one day at a time recovery have been conditioned by fear and shame. Some of us have been told that we are being influenced by self-centered fear. We become afraid to reach out for help when we need to. It’s not pride that keeps us from reaching out. It’s the uncertainty, fear and shame that has been instilled in us from years of being conditioned by life’s situations and lack of control reinforced by the response of others when we reached out at vulnerable points in our lives. Often it is a societal response based on a messed up system of meritocracy. Those who love us do not respond in such a way. They help us to help ourselves. Nonetheless reaching out is hard. We know this. In reality we know we are not alone. Living in recovery teaches us this. Peace.
Many people living in one day at a time recovery understand the reality of turning the page. When we do as such we are about to understand the experience and the reality of the unwritten day. What we will uncover could be the writing of something familiar or something totally unknown. In reality many of us read these writings paying no attention to what is on this new page as we ruminate about past pages that were written long ago. We are getting nothing out of the newly turned pages during such ruminations. Sooner or later we learn we are the ones who are writing these pages. When we do this we often change the script and not only do we turn the pages but we start a new chapter. Writing new chapters and turning the pages become liberating endeavors. We learn to let go of the past pages that had become prisons in themselves. Each time we turn a new new page we are writing about hope. We also discover we can pay attention as we read these newly written pages. In as such we are learning we grow. This is the reality of the written word setting us free as we turn the page. We are learning to let go and take ownership of our stories. Some of us do so in therapy or with spiritual advisors. In our reality we turn the page. Peace.