Author Archives: ccburn

Daily Reading from Recovery Days April 3rd by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – breathe calmly


Conscience

Everyone experiences cognitive dissonance in their
lives, in some form– the moment when you
consider or do something that jars with your
principles. It could be as minor as dropping litter in
the street. People struggling with addiction often
live a life of repeated cognitive dissonance because
every time they drink or use, they are acting against
their deepest instincts. This causes anxiety and is
highly stressful – humans do not like this state and
may try to ease the pain with a quick fix. The only
way to end dissonance and restore emotional
balance is to listen to our conscience with honesty
and then, to redress the situation with courage. Am I
ready to listen to my conscience honestly?

I believe that help is available outside myself. I
experience this help in all kinds of ways, every day.
People of faith seldom lack courage, but it is not
empty bravado. It is the quiet and humble
knowledge that our lives have a purpose and that we
will be guided to that purpose if we ask. Today I ask
for the honesty to listen to my conscience

Daily Reading from Recovery Days April 2nd by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – sit comfortably

Honesty


Addiction is a Faustian pact that we make by trading
short-term pleasure and relief for dire consequences
at a later date. Few of us, however, make the pact in
a measured way. Instead, we find ourselves at the
bottom of a slippery slope sometimes without
realising how it happened. Yet, we can’t avoid
responsibility. We must be honest and brave in
facing the mess we created, recognising our part.
Do I take responsibility for my part in my addiction?

In the depths of our despair, we reach out to our
Higher Power for help. Admitting defeat requires
courage but we have little choice because addiction
says to us, as Bill W put it: You had better do God’s
will or I will kill you. Nevertheless, despite the
evidence, there are some whose egos simply won’t
allow them to do so. We can only hope and pray that
they find the capacity for being honest before it is
too late. Today I pray for those who are unable to be
honest with themselves – may they eventually find
the strength and honesty that they need.

Daily Reading from Recovery Days April 1st by Chris B

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On this day in 1943, the Big Book of AA was published

Big Book

Alcoholics Anonymous is one of the most influential
books of all time. In 2011, the 30 millionth copy was
presented to the American Medical Association,
which declared Alcoholism an illness in 1956. A
parallel book – Narcotics Anonymous, was
produced in the 1980’s, based on an earlier Little
White Book. This has sold several million copies.
There is an almost biblical flavour to the history of
these publications. Their production required the
involvement of many contributors, and the editing
process was not always easy. Still highly relevant
today, they stand as a monument to the dedication
and wisdom of the early fellowship members. Am I
grateful for the integrity and industry of the pioneers
of AA, NA and other fellowships?

Millions throughout the world who have achieved
sobriety through following 12 Step programmes are
living proof that they work. When much of the world
appears unstable and unreliable, it is reassuring to
have the rock of the Twelve Step fellowships in our
lives. Today I thank God for a second chance at life.

Daily Reading from Recovery Days March 31st by Chris B

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On this day in 1947, the original AA meeting was held in London

Message of recovery

In the course of this month, we have looked at
surrender, fellowship, gratitude, facing reality,
power of example, and a lot of other things besides.
It may seem complicated, but we should never lose
sight of the basic message which is quite simple: we
can change our lives – it needs honesty, openness,
courage, and willingness to change but we can do it,
with God’s help. Addiction is a complex, vicious,
and powerful disease but it responds to treatment
and can be successfully held in remission. Do I fully
understand the message of recovery?

Our lives have not gone the way we expected.
Addiction has forced us into making a ‘plan B’ for
our lives. But the good news is that plan B is so
much better than plan A. We have been blessed by
receiving this second chance and we must show our
gratitude by making amends to those we have hurt
and carrying the message to others in need.
Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy.
Psalm 126.
Today I thank God for a second chance at life.

Daily Reading from Recovery days March 30th by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – send positive thoughts
Contentment
People say contentment in recovery happens in
stages – at first sobriety can be a confusing time
when we don’t quite know what’s happening but at
least we’re sober; then our mind and body grow
fitter, but we are still a bit anxious; then after
several months we relax, feel the power, and start to
enjoy our new life. Healthcare professionals talk
of five elements needed for true wellbeing:

  • Make connections
  • Take action
  • Take notice
  • Keep learning
  • Give.
    A Twelve Step programme would meet all these
    requirements. Do I fully understand the path to
    feeling better than well?
    All the above elements require effort. They will not
    just happen. Many us have been so trapped in our
    role of helpless victim and are not good at taking
    action. But nothing changes if nothing changes, as
    they say in AA. We must ask for help. Today I thank
    God for leading me to a contented recovery.

Daily Reading from Recovery Days March 29th by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – review expectations

Be yourself

Why would you want to be something you are not,
when you could be better, just by being yourself?
Being yourself is a continuous effort. There is
always another expectation placed upon you,
another person pulling you toward their
preferences, another nudge from society to act a
certain way. It’s a daily battle to be yourself rather
than what the world wants you to be. Such a
fundamental issue as this – the way that we see
ourselves, requires constant attention especially for
those in recovery from addiction. But if we succeed,
our self-esteem will rise accordingly. Can I be
myself?

Remember the pressures that are put upon us – be
who you are, be true to yourself. You are not here to
live up to anyone else’s expectations and if you try to
do so, it will probably bring unhappiness. Today I
ask that I learn to grow my self-respect by being true
to myself.

Daily Reading from Recovery Days March 28th by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – breathe deeply

Happiness in recovery

Man hands on misery to man are the famous words
of poet Philip Larkin. If man could just learn to
hand on happiness instead, how much pleasanter
everything would be. We should not think it
impossible. Some people do just that. They are the
people for whom, when someone mentions their
name, everybody smiles because they
subconsciously remember something nice about
them. It says a lot about the state of the world that
so many of us need to learn how to find happiness
because our default state seems to be quiet
desperation. But that should not stop us for seeking.
Do I consider happiness a reasonable aspiration, the
legitimate result of a life well lived?

Happiness is not a goal in itself – it is the by-product
of actions and attitudes that are spiritually and
morally valid. The Big Book tells us that, if we live
according to spiritual principles and apply
ourselves to the programme, we will know a new
freedom and a new happiness. We can see this for
ourselves in the faces of our friends in recovery and
in the faces of loved ones. Today I ask God for
patience to wait for the gift of happiness.

Daily Reading from Recovery Days March 27th by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – close eyes

Gratitude


In active addiction nothing made sense, nothing
could be predicted, and nothing trusted. The world
did not suddenly fall into place when we sobered up
but at least we became more sensible, predictable,
and trustworthy. Soon we saw that we did have two
things that we could absolutely depend upon – a
Higher Power and the Twelve Step fellowships. In
fact, they were parts of the same thing because they
provided us with the support we needed. Anyone
reading the Twelve Steps will see how
interconnected they are. In a world where few
people live in a conventional family and many rely
on medication just to be able to function, we in
recovery can count ourselves fortunate. Am I truly
grateful for Twelve Step recovery in my life?


To addicted people, recovery is all about beating
addiction, but we should be mindful of the many
dedicated people working in general healthcare who
cheerfully shoulder the daily responsibility of caring
for the sick, regardless of the often-severe cost to
themselves. Today I give thanks for all who
unselfishly care for others in the healing professions.

Daily Reading from Recovery Days March 26th by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – sit comfortably


Fellowship

Groups of men and women who share their
experience, strength, and hope with each other, in
order to solve a common problem, are found in many
settings other than Twelve Step fellowships. People
naturally depend on each other and learn from each
other. Dependence and learning are two-way
activities – there is a giver for every dependent and a
teacher for every learner. That is how a fellowship
works and is why the idea of service is important.
Each man should give what he has decided in
his heart to give, not reluctantly or under
compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
St Paul, Corinthians.
Do I fully understand that fellowship means a giving
and a taking in equal measures?

It is not by chance that the Twelve Steps begin with
the word ‘we’. Most addicted people, including those
who wrote the Steps, are well aware of the
egotism that can so easily hinder full
engagement in the programme. Yet, the paradox is
that nobody can work the programme for us – we
must do it ourselves.

Daily Reading from Recovery Days March 25th by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – send positive thoughts

Hope in recovery

It is said that there are five stages of recovery:

  • Loss and surrender
  • Awakening of hope
  • Taking stock of resources
  • Rebuilding
  • Personal growth.

  • This is what the Twelve Steps are about. When we
    take ownership of our illness and take responsibility
    for change, we start to see how change can happen
    by following these Steps. But at this moment, we
    also need hope. The most likely way of finding hope
    is through the example of others because God works
    through other people. Am I sure that I am a worthy
  • Understanding the nature of my illness and gaining
    a true picture of what needs to be done about it, are
    the basis for a life of recovery. The inspiration to
    work the programme comes from the knowledge
    that my Higher Power is at my side to help me, in
    the same way as others I see are being helped.
    Today I ask God for the vision to see what I need to
    do for my recovery and the strength to take action.