Author Archives: ccburn

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.

Daily Reading from Recovery Days March 24th by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – review expectations


Better than well

What is recovery, in everyday terms? It is building a
meaningful life, it is finding a personal identity, it is
connecting with others, it is physical wellness, it is
moral rectitude, it is spiritual awakening, it is faith,
hope and love, it is helping others. Any form of
recovery has these elements. People who lack them
are often so locked in their own desperation that
they just cannot understand. They see happy
laughing people and they are envious, but they sadly
cannot make a connection.
And those that were seen dancing were thought insane by
those who could not hear the music.
Friedrich Nietzsche.
Do I fully appreciate the miracle of my recovery?

The guidance and strength of my Higher Power has
enabled me to rebuild my life into something much
better than the original model. As I work the Twelve
Steps, my example may help others. I must never
forget that recovery puts responsibility on me to act
in a way that helps others who see me. Today I ask
God that I always remember that recovery brings
responsibility as well as blessings.

Daily Reading from Recovery Days March 23rd by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – enjoy the moment


A second chance at life

A second chance at life deserves a second look.
Some people suggest that the word ‘recovery’
would be better put as ‘discovery’ or ‘re-creation’
because happy sobriety is about more than just
getting well – it is about getting ‘better than well’. The
joy of recovery lies in knowing we are doing things
right at last, that we feel good about ourselves,
we are physically well and that we belong in the
human family. Isn’t that better than the life of
desperation that I had before? No wonder that
fellowship meetings are full of happiness and
laughter. Am I ready to grasp the opportunity of
recovery and to make it a re-creation of my life?

The scourge of addiction is a desperate time, but
recovery should mean happiness. I must not take
myself too seriously.
There is a time to break down and a time to
build up; a time to weep and a time to laugh.
A time to mourn and a time to dance. There
is nothing better, than that a man should
rejoice in his own works. Ecclesiastes.
Today I thank God for giving me a second chance
at life and I commit to doing my best.

Daily Reading from Recovery Days March 22nd by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – close eyes

Unknown God

When St Paul visited Athens in AD 51, he was
shocked to see a temple dedicated to an ‘Unknown
God’. This led him to berate the Athenians for their
ignorance in one of his most famous sermons. The
Athenians are said to have laughed. The Twelve Step
fellowships have an unknown God too – Higher
Power. They do not define its nature precisely; they
are glad simply to feel the power itself. Probably, the
Athenians felt the same. The AA preamble, read
before every meeting, states that: AA neither
endorses nor opposes any causes. There are no
dogmas or compulsions, we are free to believe what
we wish. Am I grateful for the non-directive
simplicity of the Twelve Step fellowships?

We have found that God does not make too hard
terms with those who seek him. To us,
the realm of spirit is broad, roomy,
all-inclusive, never exclusive or forbidding to
those who earnestly seek. It is open, we
believe, to all men. Bill W.
Today I give thanks I belong to a fellowship that
does not exclude or forbid the beliefs of any person
who seeks help.

Daily Reading from Recovery Days March 21st by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – breathe deeply

Truth

To thine own self be true.
W. Shakespeare, Hamlet.
Shakespeare’s famous words can sound like an easy
ride to some but an impossibility to others. And how
many addicted people can look at themselves in the
mirror after a heavy binge and think that they have
followed that advice? Self-deception, dangerous
living and over-indulgence are not what the Bard
had in mind. In the sober light of recovery, the
words of a different play spring to mind:
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
the way to dusty death.
W. Shakespeare, Macbeth.
Can I make the reality of my addicted past a
deterrent to ever repeating it?

The past cannot be changed and dwelling on the
past can have a negative effect on our wellbeing.
Nevertheless, former misdeeds recalled in sobriety,
can be a weapon against relapse. Today I will make
the best use of whatever resources I have within me.

Daily Reading from Recovery Days March 20th by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – sit comfortably

Willingness to change

The essence of all growth is a willingness to change for the
better and then an unremitting willingness to shoulder
whatever responsibility this entails.
Bill W.
Personal change always has two parts – the
willingness and the action. But in between comes a
third part – commitment. Commitment turns theory
into practice. When we are motivated to do
something, it is not always because we have a sense
of commitment. Motivation can have a short life, but
commitment lasts until the job is done. A bad
hangover can motivate you to give up booze – until
cravings appear. Am I fully committed to change?

Just as surrender has to be total and not just a
ceasefire, so commitment has to be total and not just
a dalliance. In recovery, surrender can be seen as
letting others help us and commitment can be seen
as letting us help ourselves. Neither will work unless
done wholeheartedly. I ask God today for the honesty
to commit myself fully to the process of change
because half measures will not help me.

Daily Reading from Recovery Days March 19th by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – review expectations

Responsibility for change

Newcomers to Twelve Step fellowships are often
advised to stop focusing on why they are addicted
and instead think on what they can do about it.
Discovering a reason for your addiction might seem
like a way of resolving a problem easily, but in truth
there may be no reason, except that you’re an
addicted person. Seeking a reason may well be a
device to avoid the pain of having to make some
life-changing decisions. Far better to focus on
positive action and take responsibility for change.
Am I prepared to face the reality of my addiction
and take responsibility for change?

When we embark upon a searching and fearless
personal inventory at Step Four, it may help us to
reflect that a life of total dedication to the truth is a
reasonable aspiration for anyone. It is likely to
result in true peace of mind, but it will not be easy.
It does require continuous self-appraisal as
recommended in Step Ten. Yet the feeling of relief
when we have completed Steps Four and Five will
be enormous. Today I ask for the strength to be fearless and thorough in taking personal inventory.