Many of us living in one day at a time recovery know that we have to contribute to others in general. We cannot always just take. The reality of contributing is it is a gift. It isn’t just a gift for others because if we can contribute to others it means we are doing okay. In other words our recovery is a reality. Perhaps we develop healthier self-esteem and responsibility. The miracle of one day at a time recovery is happening. Perhaps we get jobs (full-time, part-time or casual) and we learn how to manage our money better. Others appreciate this. Often this is a heroic effort for us, just like it is for many others. Our reality is that we don’t throw stones at those of us who can’t. Maybe we volunteer to contribute. This is a noble and valiant contribution. Non-profits need us. Also there are those of us who feel far more comfortable contributing while at home. Perhaps we share our stories and our recovery during our visits to on-line support groups. Some of us have much experience and a little wisdom to share with others. Some of us are more comfortable contributing at in person meetings. When we find our niche we will find a way to to contribute. Some of us do dishes, and the funny thing is it’s a spiritual undertaking for us. The biggest thing is when we participate in recovery we automatically contribute by being, or becoming well. Peace.
Many people who live in one day at a time recovery are good at catching stones. They became good at catching stones meant for us because of their unselfish endeavors. Also they believe our inherent dignity should be respected by all people. These people advocate for our health and welfare. They believe we need opportunity. They create opportunity. In order that we can take advantage of such opportunities, they teach us how to catch stones ourselves. We toss these stones aside and walk away to find one day at a time recovery. Some of us catch stones for those of us who are yet unable to catch them for themselves. We strive for the day that others will stop throwing stones. This is the realistic hope of a selfless society. Our reality is that we need to participate. When we do we believe that others will probably throw way fewer stones. Thanks to the stone catchers, we can become responsible recovering people. Perhaps we will all take our stones and build a road towards a better tomorrow. Maybe we will even start building one today. It’s not an unreasonable reality. Peace.
Many people living in one day at a time recovery know when we are in need of catching our breath. This is the gift of a second wind. When troubles are many and the journey is hard we know we have to catch our breath by stopping and resting. In doing so we often get a second wind. When we have caught our breath we understand that others are there to help us. These people might not be able to carry us, but they might help to make the journey doable and less difficult. Very often these are special people who also have caught a second wind. Mostly they encourage us to keep going one day at a time even when the journey seems insurmountable. These people will even lend us their hope until we can find our own. This is reality. When we realize that the journey is doable, and that we too can continue on, we find the importance of stopping and resting. It gave us our second wind and we now know the reality of reaching out to continue on our journey. It’s important. You matter. You really do. Peace.
Many people who are new to one day at a time recovery find life gets easier after a bit. We realize this with our new found growth. Personal independence brings with it the motivation to participate in such endeavors. Our reality is to trust in the process of recovery even when our journey is difficult. This is how we learn to grow one day at a time. Trusting in the process of recovery is important. Trust is something that grows and develops. For ourselves and for others. We learn the reality of discernment. One day we will suddenly realize life is good even with its complexities, heartaches and struggles. Living in recovery is a life affirming continuing event. Enjoy it. Peace.
Many people living in one day at a time recovery have very sound minds. We have developed the gift of reason. This is a very much appreciated reality by those of us who live with mental health disorders. For some of us there was a period in our lives when reality was a difficult process for our minds to hold on to. At some points in our lives we succumbed to very unsound and at times insane thinking. We justified our delusional beliefs contrary to the reasoning of others. After all, we believed we were just misunderstood. More often than not a hospitalization, medication, and one day at a time recovery enabled us to become people of reason. We returned to sanity and in becoming so we understood we had received the gift of reason. Many of us continue to use medication to stay well. We use medication under the care of a licensed doctor. This is an important reality. Reason tells us this. Also we learn to monitor our mental wellness. Reason and learned experience give us the ability to trust others. We don’t have to face life alone. When we have developed reason the sky is the limit, and our lives become manageable. We will understand joy, happiness and freedom. We can deal with adversity one day at a time. Peace.
Many people who live in one day at a time recovery are strong people. We become so because not only do we use our strength, but we surrender to it. We can call this the spiritual principle of surrender. Not only does surrender build strong character, we are able to do so because we are growing into a wiser reality. Our developing reality is that we no longer need to face recovery and life alone. When we reach out to others the delusion of believing we can do all things in and by ourselves ends. Our fear dissipates and we learn how to deal with our addictions. We begin to recover by not having that first one. We know this is our strength. Our reality is we are no longer alone. When we realize this our lives slowly but surely become manageable. Not perfect but manageable. We learn the difference between perfect and good. Mental health and addiction support groups might become a part of our recovery. The same goes for 12 step fellowships. We might even receive one on one professional support. We experience the importance of a life affirming community and personal humility. Life is good. Peace.
Many people living in one day at a time recovery cope with life better now that they have learned certain realities. One of these realities is we have to deal with difficult conditions. Some of us are pretty resilient in doing so. Another reality is some of us, like many others, struggle with difficult conditions. We need support in order to be resilient enough to face certain adversities. There is nothing wrong with needing support. This is the reality of resilience. Even the most resilient of people have to turn, ask, and accept support when life’s conditions become too difficult for any one person to deal with. Reaching out helps to develop the most resilient of people. Sounds a bit like a paradox but it isn’t. People grow to become resilient. Some of us even pray. When we do this we learn to understand that God, the spirit, or the universe just might be on our side and we will be okay. When we have a support network of helpful people we understand what being resilient is all about. It’s give and take and growing one day at a time. Supportive people make resilient people. Become resilient. Reach out. Peace
Many people who live in one day at a time recovery believe in reaching out to other people. Those of us who do, believe in give and take. Often we do so in recovering communities. We can call this the spiritual principle of community. In other words we don’t have to participate in life just by ourselves. When we join such communities we become a part of as opposed to being apart from. Being a part of helps us to live in healthy one day at a time recovery. We become willing to learn, and we learn how to learn. Often we have have to quiet our egos long enough to understand that we are just a part of such communities and that we are not the whole community. When we do so we understand the we in community. Some of us are members of mental health and addiction support groups. Some of us are members of 12 step fellowships and we find much support in their altruistic communities. Another reality is some of us join creative communities simply to be a part of. Some of us join faith communities. In doing so we are a part of. We no longer have to be alone. It’s give and take in community. Peace.
Those of us who live in one day at a time recovery understand what to expect from recovery. We want and need for our recovery to be reliable and life affirming. Even when we find recovery difficult, one day at a time we learn we have the opportunity to reach out for help. When we discover who are the reliable and life affirming people in our lives our difficulties diminish. This is the reality of reliable and life affirming support from people who don’t simply dismiss our difficulties. They know they don’t have to fix us. They are just there. When we have been in recovery for a while we become these people for other people. We know we don’t have to fix people. We are just there. When we understand this we understand the responsibility and the reliability of recovery. Another reality that we have learned is that we are just people who are living in recovery one day at a time. We don’t give medical advice. Medical advice is left up to medical professionals. As we grow we learn adversities lessen. Our lives become manageable and we live good lives because of the reliability of recovery. Peace.
Creative people who are living in one day at a time recovery know what it’s like to create for free. Often we are selling songs for a penny. What many of us have learned is we create for the simple need of creative expression. Most of us won’t make a living from what we create. Some of us are foolish enough to hope that we might help someone. And if we do, it’s a bonus. We know some people will be able to make a living from their crafts, and those who do usually have to work very hard to do so. This is reality. Some of us might receive grants and other forms of sponsorship to help with creative endeavors, but such support is hard to find. Even then we are often selling a song for a penny. When we come to these realities we know we create for the sheer joy of creation. Often we have jobs and other forms of income which enable us to have some time for creativity. Another reality is often we have to pay simply to create and to duplicate our work. It’s a commitment. When we can sell a song for a penny, and if we are at even board, we are doing well. Being an artist is difficult and it can be time consuming. Most of us struggle. Poets, writers, musicians, painters and sculptors know this. Most of us sell our songs for a penny. Peace.